The workload inbox displays pending actions or activities (inbox entries) for users on the Home page (HOME). You can call functions necessary to complete actions or activities associated with inbox entries directly from the workload inbox. Workload inbox entries are categorized by type and can be assigned to specific user groups or defined as general entries that are displayed for all users.
Access the workload inbox by invoking the Home page, or the system administrator can set up the inbox to open automatically when you log on to Datastream 7i. Configure the workload inbox to refresh completely or selectively every time it is accessed.
The system administrator associates SQL select statements with inbox entries. These statements define inbox entries that query the database for the appropriate instances of an entry to retrieve to your inbox.
Depending on your system privileges, you can also modify the inbox by adding and/or deleting entries. You can also modify the order and sequence in which entries are displayed.
Datastream 7i displays a description and quantity for each entry in the inbox. If a function is selected for an entry during definition, the system administrator enters a where clause for the inbox entry to automatically query for and retrieve the records associated with an inbox entry to the called function when it is invoked.
For example, the system administrator sets up an inbox entry to approve purchasing requisitions for your company’s purchasing agent. When the purchasing agent accesses the Home page, the SQL statement defined for the requisition approval inbox entry queries the Datastream 7i database and displays an inbox entry to approve requisitions in the inbox. The inbox entry indicates that there are three outstanding requisitions to approve. The purchasing agent calls the Purchasing requisitions form (SMREQS) directly from the requisition approval entry on the inbox by double-clicking, and the where clause defined for the function automatically retrieves the three requisitions requiring approval on the Purchase requisitions form (SMREQS).
Refer to the following topics for information on understanding the workload inbox.