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Widget Connector
urlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QEtHp_GuLc&t=4s

General Description

This use case demonstrates how to use ProcessMaker I/O in combination with Slack. Both software programs provide the tools to build effective processes while satisfying a variety of business needs. One of the added benefits of using ProcessMaker I/O with Slack is the ability to work directly from the Slack bot interface. The user only needs to work in one window rather than switching between windows.

Get Started with the Use Case

Run a ProcessMaker I/O Environment*

*ProcessMaker I/O is an "always on" cloud service. In this document an Environment refers to an installation of ProcessMaker I/O in a virtual machine or a container. This environment is created, run, and managed directly through the ProcessMaker I/O web management console.

If you don't have a ProcessMaker I/O Environment yet, do the following:

  1. Log on to your ProcessMaker I/O account. If you do not have a free ProcessMaker I/O account, please create one.
  2. Click the Environment page on the top menu.
  3. Click the Create Environment button, and then follow the instructions provided.

If you already have a ProcessMaker I/O Environment, do the following:

  1. Log on to your ProcessMaker I/O account.
  2. Click the Environment page on the top menu, and then run a ProcessMaker I/O Environment.
  3. Copy the Environment URL link to remember it for later. This URL is required as your-environment-url. Example: "your-environment-url" is "MYENVIRONMENT.api.processmaker.io", where "MYENVIRONMENT" is your "Processmaker I/O Environment name".
  4. Click the Environment name to display information about it.
  5. From the Info tab, click the Example: Click to open link to display the ProcessMaker I/O Examples Portal.
  6. From the left menu, click the User Subscription with Mailchimp service tab.
  7. Click the Slack BPMN file link to download the BPMN file to your computer. You will use this BPMN file for this use case.
  8. From your Environment, click the Import tab, and then click the Choose File button to upload the BPMN file from your computer.

Configure a Slack Bot

Configure a Slack bot to do the following:

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  1. Create a Slack app:
    1. Go to https://api.slack.com/apps, and then click the Create New App button.
    2. Enter the name of the app in the App Name field.
    3. Choose from the Development Slack Workspace drop-down menu the workspace in which Slack app is to function.
    4. Click the Create App button.
  2. Enable interactive messages:
    1. After creating an app, click Interactive MessagesJuliya Zagoruyko (Unlicensed): Should this read "Interactive Components"? It is labeled so on Slack's API site. Am I incorrect?
    2. Click the Enable Interactive Messages button. Juliya Zagoruyko (Unlicensed): Should this read "Enable Interactive Components"? It is labeled so on Slack's API site.
    3. On the next screen in the Request URL field, paste your environment link and then add the process name and event action name. Example: https://your-environment-url/api/v1/processes/Slack%20Action%20Receiver/events/Slack%20Response%20Received/webhook.
    4. Click the Enable Interactive Components button.
  3. Create a Slash command. These steps are important to create interactive buttons in Slack messages:
    1. Under Settings, click the Basic Information page of your app, and then go to Add features and functionality > Slash Commands.
    2. Click the Create New Command button.
    3. In the Command field, enter any name for the Slack command. In our example it's "absence_request".
    4. In the Request URL field, enter the direct API URL link for your ProcessMaker I/O Environment. This value can be copied from the API URL: field in your Environment, as shown below. Example: https://your-environment-url/api/v1/processes/Requester/events/Time%20Off%20Request/webhook.
    5. In the Usage Hint field, define usage parameters for your slash command. Example:
      • [fromDate m/d/Y] to represent the beginning of the requested absence.
      • [toDate m/d/Y] to represent the end of the requested absence.
    6. Click the Save button.
  4. Test the new Slash command:
    1. Under Settings, click Install App.
    2. Go to Slack and then run the command you have created.
  5. Activate the Slack bot:
    1. Under Settings, click the Basic Information page of your application, and then go to Add features and functionality > Bots.
    2. Click the Add a Bot User button.
    3. In the Default username field, enter the default user name. For example: @Absence Request.
    4. Click the Add Bot User button.
  6. Install the application to your team.
  7. Get a Slack bot token by following these guidelines:
    1. From the left menu, go to Features > Oauth & Permissions tab.
    2. In the Oauth Tokens & Redirect URLs section, click the Copy in the Bot User OAuth Access Token field to copy the Slack bot token to your Clipboard. The token starts with 'xoxb' string.
    3. In ProcessMaker I/O, go to the "Initiate SlackBot" service task and then paste the bot token into the DataModel 'bot_token' variable. For example: $aData['bot_token']='xoxb-161650023927-8rz0xMGgrwsgbGUJj5lMaWiH';

The steps described above are not required, but are useful to modify communication between Slack and your ProcessMaker I/O Environment. To follow along with our example, it is necessary to do these steps as instructed.

Set Up a Channel Name for Approvers

In the "Initiate SlackBot" service task, define the channel name in the DataModel 'channel_name' variable. For example: $aData['channel_name']='#testprocess';

Your channel can be private. Create the appropriate permissions in Slack in advance.

Slack Connectors

The following connectors integrate with Slack services.

Slack\SendMessageConnector

This connector sets up and configures communication between Slack Interactive Messages and your process. Juliya Zagoruyko (Unlicensed): Is there no more information about this connector–parameter descriptions and such?

Slack\SlackAPI

This connector implements integration between your process and the Slack Web API. Juliya Zagoruyko (Unlicensed): Is there no more information about this connector–parameter descriptions and such?

Leave Absence Request: Process Description and Scheme 

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Process Lane Name

Description

Requester

A user initiates the process by requesting absence.

Approver

A user or group of users who have permission to approve a leave of absence.

Slack Action Receiver

The technical process for receiving and processing button responses from Slack.

Process Task Descriptions

Tasks in this process are described below in the order they appear in the process scheme from left to right, top to bottom.

Task

Type

Process

Connector

Description

Time Off Request

start event

Requester


Starts the Requester process.

Initiate SlackBot

script task

Requester


This technical task runs script and sets up the Slack application parameters, such as AppNumber, Dates, Slack bot token and Slack channel name.

Send Time Off Request

service task

Requester

Slack\APIConnector

This is where the user requests the time off.

Slack Request Sent

intermediate message event

Requester


This message event sends the request for approval.

Approve Request

start message event

Approver


This start event is initiated by the Slack Request Sent message event and launches the approver process.

Slack Response Received

start event

Slack Action


This event launches the Slack API when the "Approve" or "Reject" button is clicked.

Parse Payload

script task

Slack Action


This script decodes JSON and prepares the data to send in the Slack API response to the approver.

Get Slack Callback

intermediate message event

Slack Action

CorrelationKeys

Gets the callback and sends the Slack response to the appropriate process instance.

Response Confirmation

service task

Slack Action

Slack\SendMessageConnector

This connector sends the Slack WebHook.

Get Slack Response

intermediate message event

Approver


When the approver gets the response from the Slack webhook, the approver can continue with the approval process.

Send Approval/Send Decline

service task

Approver

Slack\APIConnector

This is where the approver makes a decision.

Send Confirmation Request Accepted

Service Task

Requester

Slack\SendMessageConnector

This is where the requester gets a message notifying them that their request is being reviewed.

Decision Made

intermediate message event

Requester

CorrelationKeys

This message event sends a notification to the requester with the approver's decision.

Forms

Since there are no forms because everything is accessed through Slack, we only need to define the fields that will house the data for each case.

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