Routing

After a user submits a Shopping Cart, Blanket Order, or Blanket Order Release, Workflow service sends the document through the approval chain. The following describes different Workflow routing methods that you can use:

• Parallel Approval allows users to send a Shopping Cart, Blanket Order, or Blanket Order Release to multiple approvers / approval groups at the same time. If a Shopping Cart, Blanket Order, or Blanket Order Release is associated with more than one business rule, the procurement application simultaneously sends it for approval to those specified in the business rule. For example, suppose a Shopping Cart must have approval by a commodity manager and a spending limit approver. Rather than receiving approval by the commodity manager first and then the spending limit approver second, parallel approvals enables both approvers to approve the Shopping Cart at the same time.
• Ad- Hoc Approval allows a user or approver / approval group to add another approver / approval group to the approval chain:
• Users can view the approval chain, then add an approver / approval group before they submit their Shopping Cart, Blanket Order, or Blanket Order Release. Users can also add approvers / approval groups at the beginning of the approval chain, parallel to other approvers / approval groups in the chain, or at the end of the approval chain (before the Shopping Cart, etc. becomes an order)
• Approvers / approval groups can add additional approvers / approval groups while Shopping Carts, Blanket Orders, or Blanket Order Releases are in their in-box awaiting approval. Approvers / approval groups can also add additional approvers or approval groups before or after themselves in the chain.
• Approval Escalation allows a user to manage requisitions that are "stuck" in the approval process.
• Requisitions become stuck when a certain approver / approval group does not address a Shopping Cart or Blanket Order within a certain time period. You can configure the number of days that must expire before a Shopping Cart or Blanket Order becomes stuck.
• If a requisitions becomes stuck, Workflow service escalates the approval by sending the Shopping Cart, Blanket Order, or Blanket Order Release to the next approver / approval group on the approval chain.
• Users and approvers to send carbon copies of a Shopping Cart, Blanket Order, or Blanket Order Release to certain individuals for review. Reviewers receive e-mail notification about the Shopping Cart and can view the Shopping Cart. However, Commerce One Procurement does not require a reviewer to approve the Shopping Cart, Blanket Order, or Blanket Order Release.