Use the BeginTimer system function to specify the beginning of a series
of steps to be executed within a specified period of time. The BeginTimer
system function indicates the timer name, the duration, and the name of
the timer expiration workflow map. The BeginTimer function gets it's times
from the server. For further information see About
setting a time limit for processing.
To specify properties for the BeginTimer system function
Place a system step on the workflow map before the step where you
want the timer to begin.
In the Properties pane under Available Functions, select Timer
- BeginTimer, then click the right arrow to move it to the Selected
Functions column.
Double-click Timer - BeginTimer
in the Selected Functions column to define the timer properties.
Enter a name for the timer. The name can be a string literal (enclosed
in double quotes), a data field (of type string) in the workflow definition,
or a complex expression that resolves to a string. See Expressions
for additional information.
In the Expiration Time field, specify either a period of time (duration)
or a specific time.
For a period of time, enter a valid time expression that returns
the desired expiration time. The expression must comply with the general
guidelines for expressions. Your entry should include a time function.
For example, to specify that a time expire after 45 minutes, enter
the following expression:
addminutes(systemtime(), 45)
For a specific time, enter the time as a string expression that
you convert to type time using either stringtotime
or convert.
For example, to specify an expiration time of 01/01/2001 12:00:00,
enter either:
Select a workflow map to call if the timer expires before an EndTimer
system function executes. In addition to user-defined maps, you can
choose a system map.
TIP Entering
a specific time is generally not recommended because doing so can limit
the reusability of the workflow definition. The timer will expire immediately
if the system function executes after the specified time as already passed.