tech

Advanced Workflow Automation with Mendix: Tips and Tricks

As we look into the future, more businesses will likely automate their processes and workflows. This helps improve efficiency and output. However, workflow automation is not always easy, as it involves developing apps that run business processes and orchestrating the numerous background tasks that comprise the processes. Also, it involves bringing together varying data sources and connecting multiple core systems to ensure the workflow works as expected. Fortunately, advanced workflow automation with Mendix is easier.

With Mendix, you can visually represent use and machine tasks using easy-to-understand microflows. Also, business logic and data models can be easily configured and modified thanks to the visual nature of the Mendix platform. But as easy as it may sound, there are some best practices to enhance efficiency and streamline advanced workflow automation with Mendix. 

Tips and Tricks for Advanced Workflow Automation with Mendix

Here are 8 tips and tricks for advanced workflow automation with Mendix:

1. Use Microflows

In Mendix, microflows let you express your application’s logic. They perform various actions, including creating and modifying objects, making choices, and showing pages. Some common use cases of microflows include the following:

  • Changing or extending the typical behavior of a button
  • Integrating with other systems, web services, and databases
  • Adding custom logic to your app

Microflows provide a visual of creating a sequence of actions that automate a specific workflow. So, they are a crucial building block for automating workflows with Mendix. Since they are visual in nature, it’s easier to understand the logic behind each workflow

What’s more, Mendix microflows provide modularity. Therefore, you can reuse the same logic across several workflows, easing code maintenance and updating. These microflows can automate workflows of any complexity level, making them crucial for developers looking to attain advanced workflow automation.

2.Use the Mendix API

The Mendix application programming interface (API) is a powerful tool for automating workflows by integrating with other systems. This API provides a gateway to connect to external services and apps, such as Salesforce, and automate complex workflows that require data exchange between several systems.

With the Mendix API, you can create custom integrations, enabling a seamless connection between your Mendix app and external systems. This API helps you automate workflows while reducing the risk of errors and eliminating manual data entry.

3.Use Triggers

In Mendix, triggers can be configured in the statistics, measurements, or trap tools. These triggers are designed to be fired on events depending on a threshold or pattern. They allow you to track memory, perform a trap when your app’s memory usage reaches a specific level or save statistics.

When it comes to advanced workflow automation, Mendix triggers can play a crucial role. For instance, they allow you to automate your workflows based on specific events, such as a scheduled task, a data change, or a button click. Triggers ease rule-based workflow automation as they can be automatically initiated when specific parameters are met.

4.Use the Workflow Commons Module

Mendix is all about simplifying application development and automation. This low-code development platform provides a workflow commons module with pre-configured page templates, dashboards, and pages. Instead of building automation workflows from scratch, you can use the pre-built ones and customize them to meet your business needs.

For instance, you can use these workflows to automate typical tasks like:

  • Data validation
  • Approval workflows, and
  • Document generation

Using the pre-built workflow templates saves time and effort when undertaking advanced workflow automation with Mendix.

5.Use the Mendix App Store

Are you looking for a simplified way to achieve your advanced workflow automation goals with Mendix? The Mendix App Store, commonly known as Mendix Marketplace, can help you streamline workflow automation. You’ll find numerous pre-configured integrations and components that can automate your workflows.

You can browse the App Store for built-in solutions to automate specific tasks. For instance, data processing, email integration, or document generation. Even more interesting is that you can directly import these components from the App Store into your Mendix app, saving effort and time.

The Mendix Marketplace components are often updated, with new features added by Mendix developers and the community. So, whether you’re looking for advanced workflow automation components for different use cases like data management, authentication, or analytics, you’ll find something that works for you.

What’s more, the Mendix App Store’s search functionality enables you to search components by category, rating, and popularity. Therefore, it provides an easy way to find the right features for automating your workflow.

6.Use Mendix Modeler

Another tip to help you achieve advanced workflow automation with Mendix is to use the Mendix Modeler. The Mendix Modeler lets you create apps on the Mendix platform. It provides several features used for automating workflows, including data modeling, widget development, and microflow editing. Also, this modeler provides several templates, enabling you to quickly develop new apps and streamline your workflow.

7.Use Custom Widgets

Mendix custom widgets are part of the user interface that defines your app’s functionality and interaction. Custom widgets can modify your app’s data, interface, and functionality while providing additional automation capabilities. However, you must have JavaScript, CSS, and HTML expertise to build a custom widget. These widgets can automate workflow tasks like data entry, manipulation, and reporting.

8.Last but Not Least, Test Your Workflow

Testing is a critical part of workflow automation. This is because deploying a faulty or non-functional workflow can cause significant damage to your organization financially and reputation-wise. So, you must test your workflow thoroughly before deploying to ensure it works as expected and has no errors.

But how do you test your workflows with Mendix? Well, Mendix provides an extensive toolset, including Application Test Suite, for efficient test automation. These tools are built on top of Selenium and allow you to embed testing in your app development lifecycle during the advanced workflow automation.

Final Thoughts 

It’s no secret that advanced workflow automation with Mendix streamlines your business processes and boosts your overall efficiency. While Mendix simplifies workflow automation thanks to its visual development approach, several tips and tricks can help optimize the result. For instance, using the Mendix App Store, the Mendix API, custom widgets, and microflows can accelerate advanced workflow automation with Mendix.

sanket

Sanket Goyal is an SEO specialist at 1dofollow.com and is passionate about new technology and blogging.

Related Articles

Back to top button