Scheduled Trigger
The Scheduled trigger is available for workflow initiation, transitions, and some actions. The Scheduled trigger directs NetSuite to initiate a workflow or execute an action or transition on a schedule. Set a schedule for workflow initiation or an action or transition execution by setting the Trigger On property to Scheduled and setting any additional schedule or condition requirements.
NetSuite runs a backend scheduler that processes schedules every 30 minutes. Workflow scheduled tasks include workflows scheduled to initiate or actions and transitions scheduled to execute. When the scheduler finds a workflow task that meets the schedule and all conditions associated with the task, NetSuite executes the task.
The method by which a scheduled workflow task gets executed depends on the type of task:
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Workflow Task Type |
Execution Method |
|---|---|
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Workflow initiation |
When you set the schedule for workflow initiation, set the workflow status to Released, and then save the workflow definition. Every 30 minutes, the scheduler analyzes the schedule requirements and conditions for workflow initiation. If a workflow definition meets the schedule and condition requirements, the scheduler runs the saved search and initiates an instance of the workflow on each record returned by the saved search. For more information, see Initiating a Workflow on a Schedule and Scheduling a Workflow. |
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Action |
A scheduled action is considered for execution when a record in a workflow instance stays in a state with a scheduled action. Every 30 minutes, the scheduler analyzes the schedule properties for such actions. If an action meets the schedule properties and any additional conditions on the action, the action executes on the workflow instance and record. For more information, see Scheduling an Action and Action Conditions. |
|
Transition |
A scheduled transition is considered for execution when a record in a workflow instance stays in a state with a scheduled transition. Every 30 minutes, the scheduler analyzes the schedule properties for such transitions. If the transition meets the schedule properties and any additional condition requirements, the transition executes on the workflow instance and record. |
The backend scheduler that processes scheduled tasks runs every 30 minutes, but depending on the number of scheduled tasks, a particular task may be evaluated, or considered for execution, later. Similarly, after a task is evaluated for execution, the execution can be delayed due to number of tasks being processed by NetSuite. Consequently, a task scheduled for exact time may not be executed exactly at the specified time. The execution may occur at a later point. In addition, a task will never execute before the scheduled time
Time Zones for the Scheduled Trigger
When you select the date and time to run a scheduled task, the task runs in the time zone of the NetSuite user that creates the schedule. Whenever a user defines a new schedule or edits an existing schedule, the dates and times used in the schedule are saved in the time zone of the current user. Even if the user later changes the time zone preference, without changing the schedule, the schedule keeps the original date and time, using the original time zone.
NetSuite does not consider the time zone of the workflow owner or the user who initiated a workflow with a scheduled action or transition.
Scheduled Trigger Guidelines
Use the following guidelines when using the Scheduled trigger.
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Scheduled workflows, actions, or transitions do not execute if the Release Status of the workflow is not set to Released. See Release Status.
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For list of supported actions for the Scheduled trigger, see Workflow Triggers Quick Reference.
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Scheduled actions do not execute in an exit state after a record enters the exit state. The record exits the workflow before the scheduled action executes. See Exit States.