Infor ION Workflow Automation Guide
Infor ION Workflows enable event-driven business process automation that spans CloudSuite Industrial modules and external systems. Using a visual workflow designer in ION Desk, administrators build approval chains, notification rules, conditional routing, and automated actions triggered by BOD events or scheduled timers. This guide covers workflow design patterns from simple approvals to complex multi-step orchestrations.
Workflow Design and Trigger Configuration
ION Workflows are designed in the ION Desk Workflow Designer using a drag-and-drop canvas with activity nodes for conditions, approvals, notifications, and service calls. Every workflow starts with a trigger: BOD-based (fired when a specific Business Object Document is published), schedule-based (cron expression), or manual (initiated from Ming.le). The trigger configuration defines which BOD elements are available as workflow variables for downstream condition evaluation and action parameters.
- Configure BOD-triggered workflows by selecting the source BOD (e.g., Sync.PurchaseOrder) and mapping element paths to variables
- Define schedule triggers using cron expressions for time-based workflows like daily report generation or weekly reviews
- Use XPath expressions in condition nodes to evaluate BOD element values for conditional workflow branching
- Map workflow variables from trigger BOD elements using the Element Mapping panel in the Workflow Designer
- Test trigger configuration using the ION Desk Test Message feature before activating the workflow in production
Approval Chains and Escalation Rules
Approval activities in ION Workflows route tasks to users or roles with configurable response options (Approve, Reject, Delegate). Multi-level approval chains are built by sequencing approval nodes with conditional routing based on prior approval outcomes. Escalation rules automatically reassign tasks or notify managers when approvals are not completed within defined SLA timeframes. Approval tasks appear in the Ming.le Task inbox and support mobile approval through the Infor Go app.
- Configure approval activities with assignee selection: specific user, ION role, or dynamic assignment from BOD data
- Define approval response options (Approve, Reject, Delegate, Request Info) with mandatory comment requirements
- Build multi-level chains: amount-based routing (e.g., >$10K requires VP approval) using condition nodes between approvals
- Set escalation rules with SLA timers: 24-hour initial response, 48-hour escalation to manager, 72-hour auto-approve
- Enable mobile approval via Infor Go app by configuring push notifications on approval task creation events
Integration Actions and Error Recovery
Service call activities in ION Workflows invoke REST APIs, publish BODs to ION, or execute scripts on external systems. These activities enable workflows to take automated actions like updating CSI records, creating tasks in external project management tools, or sending notifications through third-party communication platforms. Error handling at the workflow level uses catch activities and compensation logic to manage failures gracefully.
- Use REST Service Call activities to invoke ION API Gateway endpoints for CSI record updates within workflow logic
- Publish BODs from workflow actions to trigger downstream integrations (e.g., send invoice data to external accounting)
- Configure catch activities on service call nodes to handle HTTP errors, timeouts, and connection failures
- Implement compensation logic that rolls back earlier workflow steps when a downstream action fails permanently
- Monitor workflow execution through ION Workflow Dashboard with real-time status visibility and error drill-down
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