When we launched Automation in mid-2021, you gave us feedback that the reusability of events, processes, and tasks could be useful – but that it was confusing to implement. While some found it useful to be able to create a single automation component and use it across multiple bots or processes, making even small changes to one of these “globally” used components could have large, unintended consequences across every location it was used. You also told us that while the new system allowed for more complex flows, it actually made simple ones more challenging to build than with old-style workflows (i.e. those circa 2021 and before).
We heard you, and have been working on a variety of changes to improve the usability of AppSheet Automation for all users: from those who want to build a single-step trigger-and-response all the way through to folks who want multi-faceted business process automation and beyond.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website.
Today, we’re rolling out the first of those changes aimed at simplifying the automation-building experience: Unlinked automation components. This change impacts how events, processes, and tasks work moving forward.
Unlinked automation components introduce a new concept: locally-scoped components. Locally-scoped events, processes, and tasks are components that exist as a unique step in the scope of a single bot*. Previously, all automation components were reusable (“global”). As of today, we’re calling these reusable tasks, processes, and events “linked automation components". Moving forward, app creators can decide whether an automation component is linked or unlinked (global or local).
Whereas previously, all automation components (events, tasks, processes) were reusable (global) components centrally available in the relevant tabs, now, only components with linking turned ON will be reusable across multiple automation components:
An event with linking turned on:
If you’re a current AppSheet automation user, you’ll recognize the behavior of components when linking is turned ON was previously the default behavior for all automations. However, with this release, we’ve effectively changed the default: now, the default state for all newly-created automation components within a bot will be “unlinked:”
An event with linking turned off (the default state when a new task, event, or process is created within a bot):
This means that the bot, process, event, or task created as “unlinked” (i.e. with linking turned OFF) will only be usable once, rather than across multiple automation components.
If you would like to reuse a component across multiple automation components (or if you’d like automations to behave the way they used to, before unlinked automations were available), simply flip the toggle switch to “ON.” From there, you’ll see that component appear in the list of suggestions when adding a new step and be able to use it across multiple automations.
Important note for current Automation users : All components created before Unlinked Automations were available will continue to behave as they did before (i.e., act as “Linked” automations). They will now appear as “linked,” and you can click on the link icon to view all bots* where the component is used:
The goal for this change is to offer app creators flexibility in how to reuse the components they build as part of their automations. For commonly used components, marking them reusable will make it easy to share functionality and drive consistency across bots. When a component is only relevant to a particular scenario, the new behavior will allow creators to keep the component alongside its context, without cluttering up or creating confusion for the shared components.
For users who need (or have been missing) a less atomic model of automation creation, Unliked Automation components are for you.
For users who appreciate the ability to create and reuse modular (global) automation components – never fear! You can simply toggle “ON” linking for any component you’d like. You can even retroactively turn OFF linking for a linked component, or, conversely, turn it ON for something you would like to reuse after all.
We hope this feature makes it simpler to use AppSheet automation for discrete, locally-scoped, “if this, then that”-type workflows and improves the safety of the system to prevent users from accidentally editing, deleting, or otherwise altering unknowingly-reused components.
Want to learn more about how to use unlinked automation components? Check out the help documentation here.
Phew! This is a big change to the way AppSheet Automations work. We’ve got more in the works, but we want to hear from you: does the ability to create unlinked (e.g. “local”) automations make your life easier or harder? How does this change your workflow? What would you like to see added, changed, or removed? Please let us know in the comments.
Sincerely,
Rachel on behalf of the AppSheet Team
*While most users will work with unlinked (local) components in the context of building a single bot, technically, they can also exist within individual tasks or processes, as well.
Automation is the process of using technology and machinery to perform tasks with minimal human intervention. It involves the application of various components and systems designed to execute specific functions efficiently. Let’s dive deeper into the world of automation and explore its key components.
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The Fundamentals of AutomationAutomation, at its core, revolves around the automation of repetitive and time-consuming tasks, ultimately enhancing efficiency and reducing errors. The key components of automation are:
Sensors are the eyes and ears of automation systems. They detect changes in the environment and provide essential data for decision-making. Sensors can range from simple devices like temperature sensors to complex ones like image sensors used in self-driving cars.
Actuators are responsible for taking actions based on the information gathered by sensors. These components can include motors, solenoids, or even robotic arms. Actuators convert electrical or mechanical signals into physical actions, allowing automation systems to respond to their surroundings.
Controllers serve as the brains of automation systems. They receive input from sensors, process data, and send commands to actuators. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and microcontrollers are commonly used as controllers in automation setups.
HMIs enable human operators to interact with automation systems. They consist of displays, touch screens, and control panels that provide real-time information and allow users to input commands. HMIs are essential for monitoring and controlling automated processes.
Software is the backbone of automation, responsible for programming and configuring the entire system. Automation software can range from basic scripts for home automation to complex industrial control software used in manufacturing and processing plants.
In modern automation, communication networks connect various components to facilitate data exchange and remote monitoring. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and industrial protocols like Modbus and Profibus are commonly used to establish these networks.
Reliable power sources are crucial for the uninterrupted operation of automation systems. Backup power systems and surge protection are often incorporated to ensure continuity in case of power failures.
Safety is paramount in automation, especially in industries with hazardous environments. Safety systems include emergency shutdown mechanisms, safety interlocks, and alarms to protect both humans and equipment.
Feedback systems use information from sensors to monitor the performance of automated processes. They can detect deviations from desired outcomes and trigger corrective actions to maintain efficiency.
FAQsAutomation enhances productivity, reduces labor costs, minimizes errors, and improves product quality, making it a valuable asset to industries.
No, automation is used in various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and customer service, to optimize processes and improve outcomes.
The future of automation holds exciting possibilities, including advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), leading to even greater efficiency and innovation.
While some jobs may be automated, automation also creates new roles in designing, maintaining, and overseeing automated systems, leading to a transformation of the job market.
To implement automation successfully, start by identifying repetitive tasks, selecting the right technology, and investing in training for your workforce.
Industries like automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce are at the forefront of automation adoption due to the complexity of their operations.
ConclusionAutomation is the driving force behind progress in the modern world. Its various components work in harmony to simplify complex tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of products and services. As technology continues to evolve, automation will play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping our future. Embrace automation to stay competitive and witness the transformative power it holds.
When we launched Automation in mid-2021, you gave us feedback that the reusability of events, processes, and tasks could be useful – but that it was confusing to implement. While some found it useful to be able to create a single automation component and use it across multiple bots or processes, making even small changes to one of these “globally” used components could have large, unintended consequences across every location it was used. You also told us that while the new system allowed for more complex flows, it actually made simple ones more challenging to build than with old-style workflows (i.e. those circa 2021 and before).
We heard you, and have been working on a variety of changes to improve the usability of AppSheet Automation for all users: from those who want to build a single-step trigger-and-response all the way through to folks who want multi-faceted business process automation and beyond.
Today, we’re rolling out the first of those changes aimed at simplifying the automation-building experience: Unlinked automation components. This change impacts how events, processes, and tasks work moving forward.
Unlinked automation components introduce a new concept: locally-scoped components. Locally-scoped events, processes, and tasks are components that exist as a unique step in the scope of a single bot*. Previously, all automation components were reusable (“global”). As of today, we’re calling these reusable tasks, processes, and events “linked automation components". Moving forward, app creators can decide whether an automation component is linked or unlinked (global or local).
Whereas previously, all automation components (events, tasks, processes) were reusable (global) components centrally available in the relevant tabs, now, only components with linking turned ON will be reusable across multiple automation components:
An event with linking turned on:
If you’re a current AppSheet automation user, you’ll recognize the behavior of components when linking is turned ON was previously the default behavior for all automations. However, with this release, we’ve effectively changed the default: now, the default state for all newly-created automation components within a bot will be “unlinked:”
An event with linking turned off (the default state when a new task, event, or process is created within a bot):
This means that the bot, process, event, or task created as “unlinked” (i.e. with linking turned OFF) will only be usable once, rather than across multiple automation components.
If you would like to reuse a component across multiple automation components (or if you’d like automations to behave the way they used to, before unlinked automations were available), simply flip the toggle switch to “ON.” From there, you’ll see that component appear in the list of suggestions when adding a new step and be able to use it across multiple automations.
Important note for current Automation users : All components created before Unlinked Automations were available will continue to behave as they did before (i.e., act as “Linked” automations). They will now appear as “linked,” and you can click on the link icon to view all bots* where the component is used:
The goal for this change is to offer app creators flexibility in how to reuse the components they build as part of their automations. For commonly used components, marking them reusable will make it easy to share functionality and drive consistency across bots. When a component is only relevant to a particular scenario, the new behavior will allow creators to keep the component alongside its context, without cluttering up or creating confusion for the shared components.
For users who need (or have been missing) a less atomic model of automation creation, Unliked Automation components are for you.
For users who appreciate the ability to create and reuse modular (global) automation components – never fear! You can simply toggle “ON” linking for any component you’d like. You can even retroactively turn OFF linking for a linked component, or, conversely, turn it ON for something you would like to reuse after all.
We hope this feature makes it simpler to use AppSheet automation for discrete, locally-scoped, “if this, then that”-type workflows and improves the safety of the system to prevent users from accidentally editing, deleting, or otherwise altering unknowingly-reused components.
Want to learn more about how to use unlinked automation components? Check out the help documentation here.
Phew! This is a big change to the way AppSheet Automations work. We’ve got more in the works, but we want to hear from you: does the ability to create unlinked (e.g. “local”) automations make your life easier or harder? How does this change your workflow? What would you like to see added, changed, or removed? Please let us know in the comments.
Sincerely,
Rachel on behalf of the AppSheet Team
*While most users will work with unlinked (local) components in the context of building a single bot, technically, they can also exist within individual tasks or processes, as well.
Automation is the process of using technology and machinery to perform tasks with minimal human intervention. It involves the application of various components and systems designed to execute specific functions efficiently. Let’s dive deeper into the world of automation and explore its key components.
The Fundamentals of AutomationAutomation, at its core, revolves around the automation of repetitive and time-consuming tasks, ultimately enhancing efficiency and reducing errors. The key components of automation are:
Sensors are the eyes and ears of automation systems. They detect changes in the environment and provide essential data for decision-making. Sensors can range from simple devices like temperature sensors to complex ones like image sensors used in self-driving cars.
Actuators are responsible for taking actions based on the information gathered by sensors. These components can include motors, solenoids, or even robotic arms. Actuators convert electrical or mechanical signals into physical actions, allowing automation systems to respond to their surroundings.
Controllers serve as the brains of automation systems. They receive input from sensors, process data, and send commands to actuators. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and microcontrollers are commonly used as controllers in automation setups.
HMIs enable human operators to interact with automation systems. They consist of displays, touch screens, and control panels that provide real-time information and allow users to input commands. HMIs are essential for monitoring and controlling automated processes.
Software is the backbone of automation, responsible for programming and configuring the entire system. Automation software can range from basic scripts for home automation to complex industrial control software used in manufacturing and processing plants.
In modern automation, communication networks connect various components to facilitate data exchange and remote monitoring. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and industrial protocols like Modbus and Profibus are commonly used to establish these networks.
Reliable power sources are crucial for the uninterrupted operation of automation systems. Backup power systems and surge protection are often incorporated to ensure continuity in case of power failures.
Safety is paramount in automation, especially in industries with hazardous environments. Safety systems include emergency shutdown mechanisms, safety interlocks, and alarms to protect both humans and equipment.
Feedback systems use information from sensors to monitor the performance of automated processes. They can detect deviations from desired outcomes and trigger corrective actions to maintain efficiency.
FAQsAutomation enhances productivity, reduces labor costs, minimizes errors, and improves product quality, making it a valuable asset to industries.
No, automation is used in various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and customer service, to optimize processes and improve outcomes.
The future of automation holds exciting possibilities, including advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), leading to even greater efficiency and innovation.
While some jobs may be automated, automation also creates new roles in designing, maintaining, and overseeing automated systems, leading to a transformation of the job market.
To implement automation successfully, start by identifying repetitive tasks, selecting the right technology, and investing in training for your workforce.
Industries like automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce are at the forefront of automation adoption due to the complexity of their operations.
ConclusionAutomation is the driving force behind progress in the modern world. Its various components work in harmony to simplify complex tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of products and services. As technology continues to evolve, automation will play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping our future. Embrace automation to stay competitive and witness the transformative power it holds.