Actions
The CorasWorks Action
Framework is one of the newest technologies to be added to the system, first appearing
in our Winter 2006 release. This capability was dramatically enhanced in the
Winter 2006 Update and the Summer 2006 release. Of course, it is also available
in the Winter 2007 release on SharePoint 2007 with seamless integration with the
Windows Workflow Foundation.
The Action Framework allows for
actions to be added to the user interface. They enable users to work more efficiently
by automating tasks, allowing them to enter new information without having to go
anywhere else, and streamlining critical and routine
business processes. For example, an action could automatically create a
new list item located in a remote site, update one or more column values in existing list items, or send
an email with multiple document links in the body.
Some key technical items to know about
actions are:
Actions are created using the
Actions Wizard.
Actions are stored in XML
definition files in a library. They may be re-used anywhere within the
workplace, thus, for instance, you can define global actions.
Actions are not web
parts. They are features that can be added to active roll-up displays,
Cross-Connect displays, or to any page.
A single
action can be performed on one or more items at a time.
Actions have can have a
data entry form for user input, so they can be used to add new items
of information, or they can be performed with no user input required.
As is the CorasWorks standard, all
actions can be run within or across sites, across site collections, and even
across virtual servers, as long as the work is done within the same
configuration database.
Documents and other attachments can also be copied
across sites, site collections, and virtual servers.
Below is a screen shot of
an action used to enter a support request. You can see this in action in the
Featured Help Desk solution.
To learn more, we recommend that
you: