Siebel Business Process Framework: Task UI Guide > Overview of Siebel Task UI >

About Siebel Task UI

Siebel Task UI customizes business process automation to interactions that occur with the user. A job task is a multiple step, interactive procedure that the user performs to complete a business function. Creating a new account and then adding a new service request to the account is an example of a business function. A job task can include branching and decision logic.

A task UI is a user interface that guides the user in completing a series of steps in a job task. Similar to a wizard, the task view includes a playbar that allows the user to proceed through the job task in a stepwise, guided fashion. Siebel Task UI includes the following features:

• Guides the user through the job task in a stepwise fashion
• Supports forward and backward navigation through the job task
• Allows the user to pause and resume the job task

These features can support the user in completing a job task that is not familiar, and can help increase user efficiency. Siebel Task UI allows the user to switch between multiple job tasks, and increases efficiency with completing familiar job tasks, especially in multitasking environments and in environments that are prone to interruption.

A task UI includes a set of operations that a single user performs, such as adding an account. You can also configure a task UI as a step in one or more Siebel workflow processes. A task UI can be part of a business process that crosses multiple job roles, such as the workflow process that routes an expense report through multiple levels of review and approval. A task UI can help define integration with an external system, such as setting up and provisioning an account.

Comparison of Siebel Task UI to Siebel CRM UI

A task view typically includes fewer fields, controls, and applets than a standard view. The task view removes the complexity that the user does not require to finish a job task. A task UI simplifies the interface and reduces the potential for mistakes.

Standard views come predefined with Siebel CRM. The user accesses them to do a wide variety of business functions. It can include a form, list, tree, or chart applet, and the user can use a variety of navigation techniques to navigate through records. For example, the user can use a scroll bar, screen tab, or a drop down list. A standard view can include a superset of the fields and controls that the user must use to complete a business function. A standard view provides the user with significant functionality and capability to navigate a Siebel application and to modify data, so this view requires that the user possess knowledge and skills about how to use this view. More options are available, so it is more likely that the user might make a mistake.

Example of a Task UI View

Figure 1 includes an example of a view in a task UI in a Siebel application. The user can use this view to add an account and then add a service request to the new account. This task UI provides stepwise, guided direction with backward and forward capability.

Figure 1. Example of a Task UI View

Example of a Standard View

Figure 2 includes the standard view that the user accesses to manage accounts. The power to use numerous fields that reference the underlying data, and the many navigation options available, result in an interface that requires more skill and knowledge to use accurately.

Figure 2. Example of a Standard View in a Siebel Application

Features and Benefits of Siebel Task UI

Siebel Task UI includes the following features and benefits:

• Provides direct forward and backward navigation through multiple screens and views.
• Improves efficiency through next step capability.
• Standardizes a business process.
• Provides guidance and supporting information that assists the user to accurately complete a complex business process. For example, the user can use communication features in a task UI to do a financial requirements analysis. Siebel Task UI can apply the logic required to do the analysis and then offer recommendations that the user can sell to the customer.
• Incorporates complex business logic to determine the required sequence of activities and content that the user requires at each step in a business process. For example, you can configure a task UI to display upgrade or upsell products according to the geography and current products that the customer uses.
• Uses validation to enforce rules that a business process requires. For example, a task UI can make sure a customer provides a written statement of fact within 14 days of opening a credit card dispute. Otherwise, Siebel CRM automatically closes the record.
• Integrates external data or services into a task UI. For example, calling an external credit program to determine creditworthiness of an applicant on a credit application, and then submitting identification information to the customer master database for validation.
• Coordinates multiple actions in a logical transaction that must finish successfully or that Siebel CRM must completely roll back. For example, transferring funds between financial accounts.
• Allows tracking and analysis of data for a task UI through tight integration with Oracle Business Intelligence.