Apply a mApp Solution

The Apply mApp Wizard (accessed from within the mApp Editor) is a specialized tool that walks you through the process of applying a mApp Solution to a CSM system.

Use the Apply mApp Wizard to select how to merge each definition into the target system.

When you apply a mApp Solution, you can define:

  • Interaction Level: How much you want the wizard to decide automatically.
  • Merge actions: How you want each Business Object (along with its associated Fields, Relationships, Forms, Grids, and Form Arrangements) and CSM Item (including Security Groups and Roles) to be merged into the target system.
  • Target objects/items: Which existing items to overwrite in the target system. You can also select to have a new item created for a mApp Solution definition.

If you apply a Protected mApp Solution, you see a message saying This mApp is protected and can only be modified in limited ways. Your interaction level is set to Don't ask me unless absolutely necessary and other interaction options cannot be selected. For more information, see: Protected mApp™ Solutions.

To apply a mApp Solution to a system:

The following procedure assumes a high level of interaction (Ask me about everything). The pages you see in the wizard (and their order) might differ from the following procedure, as they depend on what is included in the mApp Solution, the importance level of each object and item, and the level of User interaction you select.

  1. In the CSM Administrator main window, select the mApps category, and then select the Apply a mApp task.
  2. Select a mApp Solution to apply to the target system, and then select Open.

    The Apply mApp Wizard opens, displaying the properties defined for the mApp Solution.

    If available, select the More Information link to navigate to a website that contains detailed information about the mApp Solution.

  3. Select Yes to accept the terms of the license agreement, and then select Next.
  4. Carefully review the security information that explains that the mApp Solution contains Security Groups and/or Roles that may impact security rights in the target database, and then click Yes to accept the terms.
  5. On the Localization page:
    • If you are applying a mApp Solution created in CSM 9.2.0 or later, review the cultures for translations included in the mApp Solution. If Globalization is enabled for your system and you have enabled the cultures listed for the mApp Solution, translated strings are shown to users of the cultures included in the mApp Solution.
    • If you are applying a mApp Solution created before CSM 9.2.0, select the target culture for the mApp Solution. You must perform this task even if Globalization is not enabled for your system.
  6. Select a level of user Interaction (how automatic the merge process should be):

    No matter which interaction level you select, you will have the option to see a summary of all changes before anything is actually modified in the target system.

    • Ask me about every decision: Allow the wizard ask how you want to apply every object and item that is included in the mApp Solution.
    • Make reasonable decisions, but ask me if you are unsure (default): Make the apply mApp Solution process partially automated (you will be asked about any areas that require clarification). If the wizard does not need to ask you anything, you will be directed to the summary page.
    • Don't ask me unless absolutely necessary: Make the apply mApp Solution process almost fully automated (you will only be asked about areas that absolutely require your interaction, such as Security Groups and Roles). If the wizard does not need to ask you anything, you will be directed to the summary page.
  7. Continue through the Wizard and define options for features and definitions included in the mApp Solution.

Define Options for Features

This page only applies if the mApp Solution includes Features. There is a page for each Feature in the mApp Solution.

Select the Enabled check box to apply a mApp Solution Feature with all of its associated definitions to the target system. If you clear this check box, the Feature will not be applied to the target system (you will not receive any further prompting about the Feature or any of its associated definitions). If the mApp Solution creator included a Feature by default, this check box is automatically selected.

Define Options for Business Objects

This page only applies if the mApp Solution includes Business Objects. If it includes Group objects, you will be asked about those first (Group Leaders, and then Group Members). If it includes a Group Member without a Group Leader, you will be asked to select or create a Group Leader.

  1. Select a merge action and target Business Object:
    • Select [Business Object Name] Business Object (best match): If an exact Business Object match is found in the target system, select this radio button to have the Business Object definition in the mApp Solution imported into this object.

      Click the information icon to view detailed information about the best match.

    • Select a different existing object: If an exact match is not found, or to select a different object in the target system, select this radio button to select an existing object to import the mApp Solution object into.
      • Select from List: If objects with names similar to the mApp Solution object are found in the target system, they are listed on the page. Select an object in the list.
      • Select Other Object: Click this button to open a separate window containing a list of all objects in the target system. Select an object from the list.
    • Create a New Object: Select this radio button to have the mApp Solution create a new object in the target system.
    • Skip this Object: Select this radio button to skip importing this object in the target system.

      If you skip the object, related/dependent objects and associated definitions (Relationships, Fields, Forms, etc.) will also be excluded from the import, and the wizard will not ask you about them.

  2. Select merge actions for the object's merge areas:
    • Overwrite: Overwrites the definition in the target system.
    • Don't Change: Leaves the definition in the target system unchanged.
  3. Select merge actions and target items for the object's child items (Fields, indexes, and Relationships associated with the object):

    This page does not apply if the mApp Solution is creating a new object, or if the entire Business Object will be overwritten.

    • Merge Actions: These are the merge actions the mApp Solution creator defined for each child item in the object. To change the merge action for an item, select an option in the Merge Action column's drop-downs:
      • Overwrite: Overwrites the definition in the target system.
      • Merge: Merges the Field's properties with the target Field's existing properties.
      • Don't Change: Leaves the definition in the target system unchanged.
    • Target item: If an exact match is found in the target system, it is listed in this column. To change the target item, select an option in the Target column's drop-downs:
      • Item with similar name: If the target system contains items with names similar to the ones in the mApp Solution, they are listed in the drop-down. Select an item in the list.
      • (Treat as new): Select this option to create a new item (must have a unique name).
      • (More...): Select this option to open a separate window containing a list of all items of a particular type (example: Fields) in the Business Object.

        If you select Treat as new (for this and any subsequent pages) and do not define a unique name, or if a mApp Solution item is found to have the same name as an item in the target system, the wizard will ask you to resolve naming conflicts.

Define Options for Displayable Items

Select options for displayable items associated with the object (Forms, Grids, Form Arrangement, etc.).

  1. Select an option in the Merge Action column's drop-downs:
    • Overwrite: Overwrites the definition with the same ID in the target system.
    • (Treat as new): Creates a new item in the target system (must have a unique name).
    • Don't Change: Leaves the definition in the target system unchanged.

      For Form Arrangements, you also have the option to Merge the mApp Solution definition with the one in the target system. This means that the Tabs in the mApp Solution Form Arrangement will be merged with the existing Tabs in the target Form Arrangement, allowing you to add Tabs to the existing Form Arrangement without entirely overwriting it. For more information, see Configure Merge Actions for Form Arrangements and Tabs.

  2. Select a merge action and target object for removal.

    This page only applies if the mApp Solution is removing a Business Object.

    • Select [Business Object Name] Business Object (best match): If an exact Business Object match is found in the target system, select this radio button to have it removed from the target system.

      Click the information icon to view detailed information about the best match.

    • Select a different existing object: If an exact match is not found, or to use a different object in the target system, select this radio button to select an object to remove from the target system.
      • Select from List: If objects with names similar to the mApp Solution object are found in the target system, they are listed on the page. Select an object from the list.
      • Select Other Object: Click this button to open a separate window containing a list of all objects in the target system. Select an object from the list.
    • Skip this Object: Click this radio button to skip removing this object from the target system.

Define Options for Security Groups and Roles

This page only applies if the mApp Solution includes Security Groups and Roles.

Security Groups and/or Roles may impact security rights in the target database after the mApp Solution is applied. Be sure to carefully review the merge actions and target items for Security Groups and Roles when you apply the mApp Solution. To ensure that you understand the implications of applying security changes included in the mApp Solution, we strongly advise you to apply the mApp Solution to a test environment and verify the security changes before you commit the mApp Solution to a production environment.

Select merge actions and target items for Security Groups and Roles included in the mApp Solution:

  • Merge Action: To change the merge action for an item, select an option in the Merge Action column's drop-down:
    • Overwrite: Overwrites the Security Group and/or Role in the target system.
    • Don't Change: Leaves the Security Group and/or Role in the target system unchanged.
  • Target item: If an exact match is found in the target system, it is listed in this column. To change the target item, select an option in the Target Item's column drop-down:
    • Item with similar name: If the target system contains items with names similar to the ones in the mApp Solution, they are listed in the drop-down.
    • (Treat as new): Select this option to create a new Security Group and/or Role (must have a unique name).
    • (More...): Select this option to open the CSM Item Manager and select another Security Group and/or Role.

Define Options for CSM Items

Select merge actions and target items for CSM Items included in the mApp Solution.

  • Merge Action: To change the merge action for an item, select an option in the Merge Action column's drop-down:
    • Overwrite: Overwrites the definition in the target system.
    • Don't Change: Leaves the definition in the target system unchanged.
  • Target item: If an exact match is found in the target system, it is listed in this column. To change the target item, select an option in the Target Item's column drop-down:
    • Item with similar name: If the target system contains items with names similar to the ones in the mApp Solution, they are listed in the drop-down.
    • (Treat as new): Select this option to create a new item (must have a unique name).
    • (More...): Select this option to open the appropriate CSM Item Manager and select another item.

Define Options for One-Step Actions

This page only applies if the mApp Solution includes One-Step Actions.

Select merge actions and target items for the One-Step Actions included in the mApp Solution.

  • Merge Actions: These are the merge actions the mApp Solution creator defined for each One-Step Action. To change the merge action for a One-Step Action, select an option in the Merge Action column's drop-down:
    • Overwrite: Overwrites the definition in the target system.
    • Don't Change: Leaves the definition in the target system unchanged.
  • Target item: If an exact match is found in the target system, it is listed in this column. To change the target item, select an option in the Target Item column's drop-down:
    • Item with similar name: If the target system contains items with names similar to the ones in the mApp Solution, they are listed in the drop-down.
    • (Treat as new): Select this option to create a new item (must have a unique name).
    • (More...): Select this option to open the One-Step Action Manager and select a different One-Step Action.

Define Options for Miscellaneous Items

Select merge actions and target items for miscellaneous items included in the mApp Solution (example: Dashboards, Stored Searches, Stored Values, external connections, etc.).

  1. Merge Actions: These are the merge actions the mApp Solution creator defined for each item. To change the merge action for an item, select an option fin the Merge Action column's drop-down:
    • Overwrite: Overwrites the definition in the target system.
    • Don't Change: Leaves the definition in the target system unchanged.
  2. Target item: If an exact match is found in the target system, it is listed in this column. To change the target item, select an option in the Target Item column's drop-down:
    • Item with similar name: If the target system contains items with names similar to the ones in the mApp Solution, they are listed in the drop-down.
    • (Treat as new): Select this option to create a new item (must have a unique name).
    • (More...): Select this option to open a separate window containing a list of all items of a particular type.

      If this is a CSM Item, the (More...) option will open the appropriate CSM Item Manager.

  3. Provide a value for the Stored Value.

    This page only applies if the mApp Solution includes Stored Values that prompt Users to provide values. If you do not specify a value, the default value for the Stored Value is used.

  4. Click Edit External Connection to open the External Connection Wizard and define settings for the external connection.

    This page only applies if the mApp Solution includes external connections that prompt Users to specify their own external connection settings.

Finalize the Wizard

To finalize the Wizard:

  1. Review the Summary page, and then click the Save to File button to open the Choose Export File window, and then provide a location, file name, and output format (.csv, .html, .htm, .txt, .rtf, .xml) for exporting the summary of mApp Solution definitions that will be applied to the target system.

    Apply [variable here] Wizard Summary Page

  2. Define final options (what to do after the mApp Solution is applied to the target system):
    • (Recommended) Open a Blueprint so I can preview the changes: Select this radio button to open a Blueprint that allows you to see the changes the mApp Solution will make to the target system.

      If you select this option, you will then need to publish the Blueprint to commit the changes to the target system.

    • Attempt to publish the changes directly: Select this radio button to immediately publish the Blueprint of mApp Solution changes directly to the target system without previewing it first.
  3. Select Finish.

    The merge process runs and generates a Blueprint. Depending on the option selected previously, the Blueprint either:

    • Opens and allows you to view the mApp Solution changes.
    • Immediately attempts to publish to the target system.