Query-Based Tab in Business Processes

Overview

The Query tab provides access to all business process (BP), space, and level records related to a BP through a query-based tab (QBT).

For example, to see all approved Spaces related to a BP, use the QBT to query those records. After a QBT is created and deployed using uDesigner, the Query tab appears in the BP in User mode.

A QBT is a mini BP log that displays a filtered list of BP records in the tab line item list. The QBT can be used in:

  • Line Item BPs
  • Cost BPs
  • Space BPs
  • Document-type BPs

For example, a contract QBT can display only change orders issued against the contract, and another QBT can display only invoices for the contract. The records displayed in the QBT line item list come from the same level, either project/shell or company.

QBTs are not supported in the following BP types:

  • Simple
  • Resource
  • Text
  • Request for Bid (RFB)
  • Project/Shell creation

Define Query-Based Tabs In uDesigner

In uDesigner, Query Items is a parent node in the Business Processes in the left Navigator. It has two sub-nodes:

  • Query Tabs: The designer uses this sub-node to define the QBTs that are added to the BP. The designer can create up to 15 query tabs.
  • Summary Elements: The designer uses this sub-node to define summary data elements (DEs) that are added to the Upper Form of the BP. The summary elements specify the type of summary information, such as average, count, total, maximum, or minimum, that appears from the selected Query tab. For example, they can show the total amount of records in the tab.

Before the designer defines a Query tab in the BP, the designer must add a reference picker in one of the Upper Forms of the BP, Space, or Level from which the designer wants to create the Query tab. To define a Query tab, the designer selects the Query Tabs link in uDesigner, selects New, and selects a BP, Space, or Level. The system allows a maximum of 15 tabs in uDesigner, including the QBT.

Using Query-Based Tabs

A QBT lets users do the following:

  • View a filtered list of BP records associated with the parent BP.

    After a QBT in a BP is configured and deployed, the QBT appears in the BP in User mode.

  • Create a BP from the QBT in the same project/shell where the parent BP resides.

    Users can create BP records from the QBT only if they have permission to create BP records for the project/shell that contains the BP.

  • Copy a BP in the same location as the parent BP.

    Users can copy a BP with or without attachments. Users can also copy any of the records in the QBT and create a BP record.

    Users can copy one record at a time.

    When the user copies a BP record to create a new record, the new BP record contains all the information in the copied BP record. For records with attachments, the user can include or exclude the attachments when copying the BP record.

  • Search for BP records based on user-entered criteria.

    Users can find any record from the list of records included in the QBT.

    The fields available for the Find feature must be defined in the uDesigner for the BP.

  • • Generate AI-based summaries from records listed on the QBT.

    If a Cost, Document, or Line Item BP is configured to use QBTs and the Company Administrator enabled Records Summarization with AI, users can generate summaries from the records listed on the Query tab. If 50 or fewer records are listed, the summary is based on all listed records, and users do not need to select any records. If more than 50 records are listed, Oracle recommends that users select specific records before they select AI Summarize. If no records are listed, the AI Summary option is unavailable. Summaries generated from QBTs cannot be saved.

Use the Properties option on the log toolbar to configure the tab. The available options are:

  • Line Items
    • Standard
    • Gauges & Meters
    • Hide current tab

User-Defined Report (UDR) and Query-Based Tabs

Users can use the Summary Elements from any QBTs in any UDR, as long as the UDR is based on the same BP record.

If a Query tab is configured using a query condition, the same query condition must also be implemented in the UDR. For example, if a QBT uses the condition Status = Approved, a corresponding query condition must be created in the UDR as BP A/QBT BP B/Status = Approved.

Query Tabs in Document-type Business Processes

Document-type BPs support QBTs and Line Item tabs, along with the existing standard tab.

To define the Query tab in a Document-type BP, you must add a reference picker in the Upper Form of the BP that you want to query. This includes a BP picker, a new data definition (DD), or a BP picker for the destination BP.

When users select the Properties option in an Upper Form in a Document-type BP, the Options tab displays the following:

  • Standard Tab (for Document-type BP)
  • Line Item Tab (similar options across each line item type tab)
  • Query Based Tab (similar options across each QBT)

To view or use a QBT:

  1. Go to the parent BP log in the project/shell.
  2. Open a record to view the QBT.

    Note:

    The source BP of the QBT must be active for the tab to display.

See the following topics for more information about creating QBTs.