Configuring Self-Service Transactions

Self-service transactions serve as extensions of a core PeopleSoft application. They enable workers to update their personal information or to perform some basic task required by their job.

Note: PeopleSoft delivers two different workflow technologies for self-service transactions. Delivered self-service transactions with workflow are preconfigured for either the Approval Framework or the technology described in these topics.

To configure self-service transactions, use the Self Service Workflow Configurations component (WF_CO_CONFIG).

These topics provide an overview of rules for self-service transactions and discuss how to configure self-service transactions.

Note: If the self-service transaction uses the Approval Framework for approval processing, you must also set up the transaction for use with that engine and its framework.

Note: Oracle PeopleSoft delivers Notification Composer Framework to manage the setup and administration of all notifications in one central location.

Once you have adopted the Notification Composer feature, you must use it to create new notifications and manage your existing notifications.

Notifications delivered with HCM Image 47 or later must use Notification Composer.

For more information about Notification Composer Framework, see Understanding Notification Composer.

See Understanding Approvals.

Page Name

Definition Name

Usage

Workflow Configurations Page

WF_CO_CONFIG

Determine whether transactions should follow an approval process, update the database automatically, and identify who handles errors and manual updates to database.

SS Component Interface Setup Page

SS_TRANS_CIDTL_SEC

Define the name of the component interface used by the transaction and location of error and warning messages.

Admin Notification Setup Page

WF_HR_TRANS_NOT

Define if an administrator should receive email notification when automatic update was successful or there were warning messages issued during the update.

You can set rules that define whether the transaction:

  • Goes through an approval process.

  • Updates the database or sends a notice to the administrator to complete the transaction manually.

  • Notifies a specific person when problems occur during the processing of the transaction or when a transaction successfully completes.

Which Transactions Can Be Configured

This table lists the configurable transactions and indicates the approval and delegation features that are delivered active for each:

Configurable Transaction Description

Approval Framework Delivered Active

Delegation Initiation Delivered Active

Delegation Approval Delivered Active

Performance Document

Yes (Approval Framework)

Yes (Approval Framework)

Address Change

Change Full/Part Time Status

Yes

Change Location

Yes

Marital Status

Name Change

Promotion

Yes (Approval Framework)

Yes (Approval Framework)

Yes (Approval Framework)

Reporting Change

Yes (Approval Framework)

Retire Employee

Yes

Ad Hoc Salary Change

Yes

Terminate Employee

Yes

Training Enrollment

Training Enrollment by Manager

Yes

Transfer

Yes (Approval Framework)

Yes (Approval Framework)

Yes (Approval Framework)

You can change the delegation setting for any transaction on the Workflow Transactions page. For workflow that does not use the Approval Framework, you can enable transactions for delegation initiation, but not for delegation approval.

See Understanding Delegation.

Transactions that use the Approval Framework functionality and the delegation functionality require additional configuration. PeopleSoft delivers these transactions preconfigured for using these functionalities.

Overview of the Self-Service Processing

This diagram maps out the process a self-service transaction takes when the transaction is set up to follow the configuration rules:

Process flow for transactions using Process Configuration

Note: If the transaction uses the Approval Framework and an appropriate user is not found, the system automatically routes the transaction to the Approval Framework (AWE) administrator for review and approval. If an appropriate user is not found for a transaction that does not use Approval Framework for workflow, the system sends an error notification to the administrator who can view the error using the Self-Service Inquiry page. In these cases, the administrator is required to manually enter data and set the status to Successful.

If you enter an alternate user on the General Profile Information page, make sure the user ID entered has permission to access the necessary pages.

Exceptions to the Rules

Some transactions update the worker's job data. These self-service rules cannot override information controlled by Position Management.

Position Management Setting

Worker's Job

Auto-Update of Database

None

Not Applicable

Is allowed.

Partial

In a position

Not allowed.

Exception to this rule is when a manager is requesting a reporting change for a worker. If the worker is in a position and an ID was entered in the Supervisor ID field automatic update is allowed.

Note: If you select Partial Position Management on the Installation page, the system automatically updates position data if you also select the Position Override check box on the Workforce Administration - Job page. If you select Full Position Management on the Installation page the system automatically updates all position data.

Full

In a position

Not allowed.

Exception to this rule is transferring and promoting a worker. This is because managers promote or transfer workers by selecting a new position number, not changing the existing one. So, automatic updates will insert the new position number and update all the related fields; position data is not touched.

Use the Workflow Configurations page (WF_CO_CONFIG) to determine whether transactions should follow an approval process, update the database automatically, and identify who handles errors and manual updates to database.

Navigation:

Set Up HCM > Common Definitions > Self-Service > Workflow Configurations > Workflow Configurations

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Workflow Configurations page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Workflow Configurations page

Note: (USF) This page is not used for U.S. federal self-service transactions, which never update the HR tables directly. Instead, federal transactions go through intermediate Personnel Action Request (PAR) tables, where an HR administrator completes a final approval outside of the standard approval process.

Field or Control

Description

Transaction Name

Specifies the name of the transaction to define if it should follow an approval process, update the database automatically, and identify who handles errors and manual updates to database.

Description

Lists the self-service transaction delivered with the system that is designed to work with the Process Configuration process.

Approval Logic Exists

If selected, this check box indicates that an approval process has been configured in AWE for this transaction.

Use Approvals

This check box is only available to those transactions designed to use an approval process. If selected, the system requires Manager level approval. If not selected, manager level approval is not required.

Note: Transactions that use the Approval Framework require additional approval configuration.

See Understanding Approvals.

Allow DB Update (allow database updates)

If selected, this check box allows the transaction to update the database. If not selected, an administrator will be notified of the change and need to complete the process request. Administrators can complete the request on the Workflow Inquiry page or in the Self-Service transaction pages.

Guided Self Service

Select to indicate that the corresponding transaction is for Guided Self Service (GSS). Deselect if it is not used for GSS.

Requires Admin Approval

This column is enabled only for GSS transactions and when Notification composer is turned on.

Select for GSS transactions to use a second level administrator approval when Notification Composer is turned on.

Administrator Role

Identifies the role of the person who is responsible for reviewing the results of the transaction if errors occur.

If Notify on Success or Notify on Warnings is selected on the Admin Notification Setup page, this role receives notifications when processing is successful or warnings are encountered.

Component Interface Setup

Click this link to access the SS Component Interface Setup Page.

Component Interface Notification Setup

Click this link to access the Admin Notification Setup Page.

For more information, see the product documentation for PeopleTools: Security Administration.

Use the SS Component Interface Setup page (SS_TRANS_CIDTL_SEC) to define the name of the component interface used by the transaction and location of error and warning messages.

Navigation:

Click the Component Interface Setup link on the Workflow Configurations page.

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the SS Component Interface Setup page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

SS Component Interface Setup page

Note: You do not need to modify this page unless you use component interfaces or exception tables that you have created or modified. This is predefined system data that can be changed if you want to use a different component interface.

Use the Admin Notification Setup page (WF_HR_TRANS_NOT) to define if an administrator should receive email notification when automatic update was successful or there were warning messages issued during the update.

Navigation:

Click the Component Interface Notification Setup link on the Workflow Configurations page.

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Admin Notification Setup page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Admin Notification Setup page

Field or Control

Description

Component

The name of the transaction.

Notify on Success

Applicable only if Allow DB Update is selected on the Workflow Configuration page. Select to have the role selected on the Workflow Configuration page receive an email when automatic updates are successful.

Notify on Warnings

Select to have the role selected on the Workflow Configuration page receive an email when warning messages are generated during a successful HR database update.

Business Process Name, Activity Name, and Event Name

This is predefined system data that can be changed if you want to use a different business process.

Notification Application Events

The page displays this section when working with a Guided Self Service transaction and Notification Composer is on.

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Admin Notification Setup page for a Guided Self Service transaction. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Admin Notification Setup page for a Guided Self Service transaction

Field or Control

Description

Notify on Warning

Enter the notification event ID the system will use when CI warnings occur during the approval of the administrator approval step.

Notify on Error

Enter the notification event ID the system will use when CI errors occur during the approval of the administrator approval step.

Notify on Manual Update

Enter the notification event ID the system will use when the administrator performs a manual update for a transaction request.