Create Shells with Shell Creation Business Process
Before you begin, review these conditions for successful shell creation from the Shell Creation business process (BP):
- Shell Creation BP must be designed and deployed in uDesigner and configured and set up in Unifier
- Shell template must be created
- Shell hierarchies must be correctly configured in Shell Manager
- Shell number must be unique
- Shell override currency, if it is to be used, must be active in Exchange Rates
The Shell Creation BP can synchronously auto-create a multiple-instance CBS or generic shell anywhere in or across a shell hierarchy. The BP uses a shell location picker to assign where the shell will reside in the hierarchy and a shell picker to select a template. This means shell organization must be correctly configured in the Shell Manager and the shell template must be created. Shells created using this method are set to Active by default if the shell status is not specified when the shell is created.
The Shell Creation BP designer can define the business process as company level or shell level. The designer may use workflow to support review and approval processes, or elect to design the BP without workflow. At run time, the system passes select information captured in the BP form to the newly created shell, thus avoiding redundant data entry. Reaching terminal status, as defined in uDesigner, triggers the synchronous shell creation process. If there is a planning item picker on the Shell Creation BP record or line item, the system will link the planning item to the new shell. If the Shell Creation BP includes a Shell Data Picker, the picker is populated and any auto-population and reverse-auto-population occurs. If the source contains a Line Item Data Picker and the Shell Attribute form of the destination contains the same Line Item Data Picker, the value is copied during creation; if the destination has any Query conditions that are not met, the value of the Line Item Data Picker is not copied.
Notification
The system will send an email notification upon successful shell auto-creation, provided notification is set up in business process setup, the system has a valid email address for anyone selected to receive notification, and those selected subscribe to email notification in user preferences. If auto-creation fails, the system will immediately send an alert to those selected to receive notification.
There are two types of Shell Creation BPs: simple and line item.
- Simple-type
The simple-type Shell Creation BP creates one shell per record. Reaching a terminal record status triggers the synchronous shell auto-creation process. The BP designer has the option to either define workflow or not. The designer can define integration; in Unifier, you can obtain the business process import template from the business process log.
It is important to note that the CSV import template must be correctly completed or the system will reject the CSV file in its entirety and not create any shells. When the system rejects a CSV file, it creates an error file that tells you which line item is in error and why it is in error. To ensure a successful upload of the Shell Creation BP CSV file, retain the column headings in the same order as exported, and complete all required fields.
- Line Item-type
The line item-type Shell Creation BP creates a shell for each line item. Use the upper form to create the parent shell and each line item to create a child shell. Auto-creation happens when:
- Record terminal status is reached
- Line item status is met
- A line item passes validation
At run time, when the system processes a line item-type Shell Creation BP record, it will create a shell from each line item that passes validation. For example, if there are 10 line items in the shell creation record, but only five pass validation, the system will create five shells. Shell creation line items can be consolidated, provided consolidation is configured.
CSV Import or RESTful Services (Create Shell)
When you create a shell instance by using CSV import or RESTful Services (Create Shell), the system copies into the created shell:
- The View Forms tab information from the selected shell template.
- The forms added in the shell template, along with users and groups who are part of the viewers list.
Last Published Tuesday, April 8, 2025