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Process Designer
Getting Started
Workflow Properties
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  Add a step
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  Delete a step or route
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  General steps
  Submap steps
  System steps
    General properties
    Routing properties
    Rules properties
    General system functions
      Assign system function
      Call system function
      Create system function
      DbExecute system function
      Delay system function
      Log system function
      Return system function
      Terminate system function
      Using dollar symbol ($)
    Timer system functions
    Checkpoint system functions
    WaitForCondition system function
  Component steps
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Validate & Launch
   

Delay system function

Use the Delay system function to suspend the processing of a work item for a specified period of time. At the end of the time period, process resumes with the next step on the workflow map. For example, in a claims processing scenario you can use Delay to suspend the processing of a claim for 10 days, while test results are verified.

To specify properties for the Delay system function

  1. Place a system step on the workflow map where you want to suspend processing.
  2. In the Properties pane under Available Functions, select Delay, then click the right arrow to move it to the Selected Functions column.
  3. Double-click Delay in the Selected Functions column.
  4. Enter an expression that indicates either the duration of the delay or a specific time. See Expressions for additional information.
    • For a duration, enter a valid time expression that returns the desired delay expiration time. Your entry should include a time function. For example, to specify that the delay period should end 12 days after a specific time (represented by the Entry_time expression), enter the following expression.

      adddays(Entry_time, 12)

    • For a specific time when the delay period will expire, 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:

      • convert("01/01/2001 12:00:00",time) or
      • stringtotime("01/01/2001 12:00:00","mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss")
   

TIP Entering a specific time is generally not recommended, because doing so can limit the reusability of the workflow definition. The delay period will end immediately if this system function executes after the specified time has already passed.

TIP Use the Delay system function only if you are sure you want to suspend processing for the entire specified time period.

To provide more flexibility, consider using a WaitForCondition system function instead. WaitForCondition suspends processing until a specific work itemis created. If the event you are waiting for does not automatically generate a work item (for example, someone’s return from vacation), you can manually create a work item to satisfy the WaitForCondition condition.