Create a Threshold-Based Automation Process

Use the Threshold-Based Automation Process window (accessed from within the Automation Process Editor) to create a Threshold-Based Automation Process. Define when and how an Action is run when a threshold is breached.

To create a Threshold-Based Automation Process:

  1. Open the Automation Process Editor.
  2. Select New, and then select Threshold-Based Process.
  3. Define general properties:
    • Provide a name and description. You can search these properties in CSM Item Managers.
    • Select the type of Business Object against which this process will operate.
    • Select a priority level, which provides a hint to the Business Process Server as to the importance of the Automation Process. This allows the system to attempt to execute higher priority processes before normal or low priority processes.
  4. Define the value that the Automation Process should monitor:
    1. Select the Value page.
      The Value page opens below the general properties.
    • Number of Records: Select this option to monitor the number of records that meet the defined criteria.
    • Function: Select this option to apply a mathematical function against a field (example: Average, total) if there is a numeric field on the records being evaluated.
    • Duration Function: Select this option to apply a mathematical function against the range of time between two time-based fields (example: Determining the average amount of time that Incidents take to resolve).

    If you select a duration function, you must specify the fields that define the start/end date times and the unit(s) to use (example: Hours, days, months).

  5. Define criteria for the records included in the calculation:
    1. Select the Criteria page.
      The Criteria page opens below the general properties.
    • Search Criteria: Select the ellipsis Ellipses Button to select an existing saved search or select Search General Knowledge Search Button to define a custom query to limit the records considered.
    • Open Incidents Only: Select the check box to only include open Incidents in the results.
  6. Define one or more thresholds:
    1. Select the Thresholds page, and then define threshold properties:
      Use the Check threshold values every option to set how often threshold values should be checked. Checking begins when Automation Process is enabled or when an Automation Process Blueprint is published.
    • Define run Actions:
    OptionDescription
    Every time value is checked (if the threshold is crossed): Select this option to execute the action if the check is completed every hour and the value is above the threshold.
    When the threshold is first crossed: Select this option to execute the Action the first time the value is above the threshold, but not execute the Action again unless the at least operator is specified.
    Each time a threshold is crossed: Select this option to execute the Action the first time the value is above the threshold, but not execute the Action again until the value falls below the threshold at least once and then goes above the value again.
    At least: Specify this operator for the rules to be reconsidered. If the option is set to When the Threshold is First Crossed and the threshold is crossed, the Action will be executed a single time. If you specify that at least one day must pass between operations, then a day later the Action will be executed again if the threshold is crossed. This option is only available if you select the Automation Process to operate every time a value is checked or each time a threshold is crossed.
    • Define thresholds:
    OptionDescription
    Create a threshold Select Add to add a threshold to the list.
    Edit a threshold Use the controls underneath the threshold list to customize the threshold.
    Remove a threshold Select Remove to permanently delete a threshold.
    Reorder the threshold Select Reorder to organize the threshold list. This option sorts all of the thresholds based on the threshold values, but does not affect the Threshold-Based Automation Process functionality.
    Above/Below threshold Specify whether the threshold should be considered breached when the value exceeds or falls below the threshold value.
    Threshold value Specify the value against which the returned result will be compared.
    ActionSelect or define a One-Step™ Action to run when the threshold is breached.

    The Action must be an unassociated One-Step Action (not tied to a particular Business Object). This is necessary because there is no single record to operate against, just a single resulting value.

  7. Select Save.

If you are working with Automation Processes after a Protected mApp™ Solution has been applied to your system, note the following:

  • If you create or open an Automation Process Blueprint which has a Protected mApp Solution installed, protected processes have shield icons .
  • If you select a content-protected process and right-click, you cannot delete the process.
  • If you edit a content-protected Threshold-Based, or Simple/Event Automation Process, you must use Save As to create a copy.
  • If you view Automation Processes in a Blueprint or by opening an Automation .bp file from CSM Administrator, they cannot be edited in any way.