Dynamic Hub – Powerful Business Function Workflow Management

The PSPA Tech Dynamic Hub Enhancement helps administrators provide exceptional service to members by providing a comprehensive view of system data and activity tracking for specific business functions.

Overview

Dynamic Hubs can be configured for business unit functions such as Disability or Death processing. Other possible hub types include Refunds/Withdrawals or 415 Limit Adjustments.

A critical use case for Dynamic Hub includes managing disability benefits for members, which can be challenging because of the frequent medical reviews and adjustments for outside earnings. Members must be scheduled for periodic medical review meetings and agendas with important information prepared.

Another primary use case for Dynamic Hub is managing death benefits for members, including activities related to setting up the initial death benefits and tracking and adjusting ongoing payments for surviving spouses and multiple children.

The PSPA Dynamic Hub Enhancement can replace the spreadsheets and access databases organizations use to manage these processes. Its flexibility enables clients to configure effective Dynamic Hubs tailored to a specific purpose with familiar plan language and process steps. The dynamic hub design’s extreme configurability distinguishes it from alternative approaches.

The Dynamic Hub name stems from these features:

• Bring together system information and collect member information specific to the Hub Type and purpose.
• Different Hub Types can be configured. The Dynamic Hub can appear and function dramatically differently depending on the Hub Type and Benefit Plan.
• The Dynamic Hub is extensively configurable and can quickly be revised based on changing business needs.
• The Dynamic Hub keeps up with changing data and progression through the business processes while tracking all changes.
• Data can be viewed and maintained for an individual member on the Dynamic Hub page or in a collective group targeted to a particular activity using the Dynamic Group page.
• Maintaining Disability Benefits is dynamic because it requires periodic medical reviews and adjustments for outside earnings.

Hypothesis

What if Dynamic Hubs could be created for specific business functions unique to each configured benefit plan?

These business function Hubs could display related information from around the system on one page, making it easy to research members or provide quick answers on phone calls. Links would speed navigation to the source page for additional details and edits.

These Hubs could also collect related information that doesn’t yet have a place in the system and replace the need for tracking spreadsheets outside the system. What if these Hubs could schedule and track progress through the steps required for various activities related to the Hub’s purpose, making it easy to report on and prioritize outstanding tasks?

What if Hubs for different purposes, plans, or process flows could all be configured using the same tool so a custom solution doesn’t have to be created for each business function?

Solution

The PSPA Dynamic Hub enhancement stands on these pillars:

• Configurable – Universal functionality with extensively configurable features. Make it easy to add a new hub type and experiment with changes in a design session or as needs evolve. Quickly configure a new data element without requiring developer or database changes.
• Feature-Rich—Build features once and reuse them for multiple distinct hubs, such as robust search, activity tracking, scheduling, group view, user-defined table lookup, field defaults, file upload, and correspondence generation.
• Extensible – Customize and integrate custom data sources into hub sections.
• All member hub data and user-defined table entries are stored in one table.

Dynamic Hub Functionality

The Dynamic Hub presents information from throughout the system in one place. It also enables the organized collection and maintenance of additional user-configured data elements not found elsewhere in the system. In the examples, the Dynamic Hub has been configured to manage disability-related data.

Dynamic Hub Search Record

The Dynamic Hub Search Record lets you find members meeting user-entered search criteria.

EMPLID

You can optionally enter the Emplid for your search. Knowing the EMPLID is the fastest way to enter the Dynamic Hub. If the EMPLID is not entered, multiple search results may be returned, and the Next/Previous buttons in the list can help you navigate a related list of members.

Hub Type

Optionally select a Hub Type.  Entering a Hub Type is recommended to improve prompts in other search fields.

Hub Types:

• Disability
• Death

All configuration data is keyed by a Hub Type.  

Benefit Plan

Optionally select a Benefit Plan. Entering a Benefit Plan is recommended to improve prompts in other search fields.

All configuration data is keyed by a Benefit Plan. Based on the configuration, the Dynamic Hub can look and function dramatically differently for each plan.

Retirement Date

You can optionally enter a Retirement Date. This will search for the member’s latest Retirement Date in a Retirement Application.

Scheduled Dates

You can optionally select a Scheduled Date. The prompt will show any Scheduled Dates configured with a Search Label used in any member’s Dynamic Hub data. 

This search option allows finding all members with a particular Scheduled Date.

Translate Values

You can optionally select a Translate Value. The prompt will show any Translate Values configured with a Search Label used in any member’s Dynamic Hub data.

This search option allows you to find all members with a particular Translate Value, such as a Status or Medical Condition.

Table Search

You can optionally select a Table Lookup Value. The prompt will show any Table Lookup Values used in a member’s Dynamic Hub Data.

This search option lets you find all members with a particular Table Lookup value, such as a specific physician or attorney.

Open Activity

Optionally select an Open Activity Indicator.  “Yes” will include any search results with an open activity that meets the Scheduled Dates, Translate Values, and/or Table Search criteria if applicable.  “No” will include any search results with a closed activity that meets the Scheduled Dates, Translate Values, and/or Table Search criteria if applicable.  “{Any}” will return results with Open or Completed Activities. 

This search option lets you find all members with an Open Activity and create a work list.

Activity Type

Optionally select an Activity Type. “{Any}” will return results for any Activity Type. 

Last Name and First Name 

Enter all or part of the member’s first and/or last name to search by name.

Hub Sections

The Dynamic Hub is presented in sections.  Each section may be configured to include different information and operate slightly differently.

Sample Dynamic Hub with all sections collapsed:

Data Presentation Sections

Data Presentation Sections display data from around the system only. They are modeled after other delivered or custom pages with data related to Dynamic. The sections can differ slightly to include only the most relevant information or combine multiple pages. A link is always provided to navigate to the full page used to maintain the relevant data.

Member Demographic Data SECTION

Retirement Application Section

Retirement Application is a custom page to manage benefit requests and set up and run related processes.  

Valuable links to View Retirement Application, View Calculation Results, or Generate Calculation Worksheet are included in this section.

The Calculation Details are configurable fields that pull specific Function Results or Aliases from the calculation. More details are shown when the mouse pointer is placed over the result description.

Calculation Override Worksheet Section

The custom Calculation Override Worksheet data was used to convert calculation data for disabled members at go-live.

Disability Outside Income Section

The custom Disability Outside Income page collects information on income while the member is on disability and is used to offset benefits.

Miscellaneous Pension Data Section

The custom Miscellaneous Pension Data page tracks user-defined data pertinent to plan members.

Administer Appointees Section

The custom Administer Appointees page tracks the Power of Attorneys and other representation.

Custom Retiree Information Section

The Custom Retiree Information Page is used to set up a benefit payment.

Benefit Payments Section

The retiree benefits payroll history is displayed in the disability payments section so users can see the history of disability payments and adjustments paid to the member.

Data Collection Sections

All Hub Data Collection Sections include an Activity at the parent level and Fields at the child level.  An Activity is essentially a collection of data elements.  Some data sets can be repeated throughout the Disability life-cycle; for example, in the Activity Section, each review of the member’s disability eligibility or benefit amount can be captured as a new Activity data set.  Other data collections may change less frequently or summarize the current status; for example, in the Data Section, details about the disability that don’t change with each activity can be captured.  Yet other data collections can be maintained independently from the member and then associated with one or more members as appropriate; for example, in the Data Section, a member can be associated with a particular Attorney, and in the Table Section on another page, the list of Attorneys and their contact information can be maintained.

You can configure the label for a section and configure whether it should expand or collapse when the page is opened.  

Hub Section – Data Collections

The Data Section appears on the Dynamic Hub page.  It is sorted in ascending sequence order and displays all data sets. A new row is inserted at the bottom of the section.  

Hub Section – Activity

The Activity Section appears on the Dynamic Hub page. It is sorted in descending sequence order and displays only the item with the highest sequence number first—the current activity. A new row is inserted at the top of the section.

Additional Features: Complete Activity

Hub Section – Tables 

The Table Section appears on the Dynamic Hub Table Config page. It is sorted in ascending sequence order and displays the item with the lowest sequence number first. A new row is inserted at the bottom of the section.

Filter/Sort Tools

Filter/Search Tools are provided to find Activities in the member’s Dynamic Hub data that meet the entered criteria.

After entering the search criteria, use the Refresh button to update the Activity section. The Clear Filters button removes all entered search criteria.

Activity Type

Select from Activity Types found in member’s Activity data.

Translate Values

Select from Translate Values (with configured Search Label) found in the member’s Activity data.  

Schedule Dates

Select from Scheduled Dates (with configured Search Lable) found in the member’s Activity data.

Text Search

Activity Field values are searched for entered text.

Sequence Number

Enter an Activity Sequence Number to limit results to a specific Activity Sequence Number.  This is especially useful on large data sets like a user-configured Table.

Sort Activity Type/Status/Data

Use these checkboxes to sort results by the selected fields

Display Deleted

Display Deleted will include deleted Activities in the results.  Delete Activities can be restored.

Dynamic Group

The Dynamic Group page displays specific Activity fields in a grid for a subset of members with the same key value—for example, a meeting agenda for all members scheduled for a specific meeting date.

You can configure the fields displayed, the order of display, and the edit capabilities. One dynamic group report can be created for each activity.  

The Group data can be exported to Excel directly from the grid to publish a meeting agenda.

Decisions made in the meeting can be updated directly in the grid for each member on the meeting agenda.

Selection Criteria

The Scheduled Date or Translate Value, configured for the Group, is displayed, and the user can enter values for populating the Group grid.  The refresh button updates the grid based on the entered selection criteria.

Select/Action

All or some of the members in the grid can be selected for bulk operations.  

Select All – Select All Rows in Grid

Select Open – Select All Rows in Grid with Open (Not Completed) Activity

Select Switch – Reverse Selection

Select Clear – Unselect All Rows in Grid

Action Hide Unselected/ Show All – Show Only Selected Rows in Grid/Show All Rows

Copy to Group List

Create, append, or replace a group list using the Copy button in the Select/Action section using the list name and list option selected.  

Options: 

• Create a New List – Make a new list with the list name entered with the selected members.
• Replace List – Delete and Replace the existing named list with the selected members.
• Append to List – Add any missing selected members to an existing named list.

Open Group List

Open the named group list on the Group Processing page. This option is helpful for processing and reviewing batch calculations.

Update Selected Rows

Update selected rows with the same value for any or all editable fields in the grid.  This is helpful to update the decision and decision date for some or all of the members in the group with only a few clicks.

Generate File

The Generate File button displays when an editable field has the type File.

For a Standard Report, the Generate File button will generate a file for each selected member and update the displayed file description.  Save the page to keep the generated files. 

For a Group Only Report, the Generate File button will generate a Group Report file that includes the selected members.  The report is not saved, but can immediately be downloaded or displayed.

Download File

The Download File button displays when an editable field has the type File.

For a Standard Report, the Download File button will combine the PDFs for all selected members into one PDF and download.

For a Group Only Report, the Download File button will download the Group Report.  This button only displays after the Group Report has been generated. 

View File

The View File button displays when an editable field has the type File.

For a Standard Report, the View File button will combine the PDFs for all selected members into on PDF and display the combined PDF in the browser window.

For a Group Only Report, the View File button will download the Group Report.  This button only displays after the Group Report has been generated.

Dynamic Hub Configuration

Dynamic Hub configuration is managed through these pages:

• Set Up HCM > Product Related > Pension > CT Pension Rules > Dynamic Hub Field Config – Maintain configuration for Sections, Buttons, Activities, and Fields. (Page.CT_PA_D_CFG_FLD)
• Set Up HCM > Product Related > Pension > CT Pension Rules > Dynamic Hub Table Config – Maintain user-defined tables such as Attorneys. (Page.CT_PA_D_CFG_TBL)

The Field Configuration page captures different configuration options for the four Field Types:

• Label – Section
• Label – Button
• Calculation Result
• Activity Type
• Activity Data Field

Many configuration options are available to change the way the Dynamic Hub works:

• Adding a NEW Hub Type DOES require a developer.
• Adding a NEW Hub Section  DOES require a developer.
• Adding a NEW Hub Button  DOES require a developer.
• Adding a NEW Calculation Result DOES NOT require a developer.
• Adding a NEW Activity DOES NOT require a developer.
• Adding a NEW Data Element DOES NOT require a developer.

Sample Disability Hub Configuration Search Record:

Sample Dynamic Table Configuration Search Record:

Sample Disability Table Configuration Page:

Hub Section Configuration Options

Each section on the Dynamic Hub is associated with a Field.  A Hub Section configuration will have a blank Hub Section in the key. 

The Hub Section configuration is optional and only needed when the default Section Description or the default behavior of including and expanding the section needs to be overridden.

Sample Hub Section Configuration:

The Hub Section options are configurable for each of the following sections:

• CT_PA_D_HUB_DEM – Demographic
• CT_PA_D_HUB_APP – Retirement Application
• CT_PA_D_HUB_DTA – Data
• CT_PA_D_HUB_ACT – Activity
• CT_PA_D_HUB_ERN – Disability Outside Income
• CT_PA_D_HUB_MSC – Miscellaneous Pension Data
• CT_PA_D_HUB_SHT – Calculation Override Worksheet
• CT_PA_D_HUB_RET – Custom Retiree Information
• CT_PA_D_HUB_PAY – Disability Payments

Adding a NEW Section DOES require a new Section Type and a new subpage created by a developer.

Note that some Section Labels are not associated with a Hub Section, so that portion of the key will be Blank.

Section Labels

Update the Description field to change the Section title presented in the Disability Hub.

Hide Section

Select the Hide Section checkbox to disable a Disability Hub section for a particular Hub Type and Benefit Plan.

Default Collapse Section

Select the Default Collapse Section checkbox to initially present the section header only when Disability Hub page is opened.

Hub Button Configuration Options

Each button on the Disability Hub is associated with a Field.  A Hub Button configuration for a button not appearing in the Data, Activity, or Table sections may have a blank Hub Section in the key.  Hub Button configuration is optional and only necessary when the default label and/or button image needs to be overridden.

Sample Hub Button Configuration:

The Hub Button options are configurable for each of the following fields.

With Image and Mouse Over Text:

• CT_PA_D_PB_REFRESH – Refresh with Filter/Sort Settings
• CT_PA_D_PB_CLEAR – Clear Filter/Sort Settings
• CT_PA_D_PB_ADD_ACT – Add Activity
• CT_PA_D_PB_DEL_ACT – Delete Activity
• CT_PA_D_PB_DEL_AC2 – Restore Activity
• CT_PA_D_PB_CMP_ACT – Complete Activity
• CT_PA_D_PB_CMP_AC2 – Reopen Activity
• CT_PA_D_PB_AUD_ACT – Activity Audit History
• CT_PA_D_PB_ADD_ACF – Add Activity Field
• CT_PA_D_PB_DEL_FLD – Delete Field
• CT_PA_D_PB_DEL_FL2 – Restore Field
• CT_PA_D_PB_AUD_FLD – Field Audit History
• CT_PA_D_PB_GO_TBL – View Table Entry
• CT_PA_D_PB_EDT_FLD – Field Configuration from HUB
• CT_PA_D_PB_GEN_FIL – Generate File
• CT_PA_D_PB_UPL_FIL – Upload File
• CT_PA_D_PB_DWN_FIL – Download File
• CT_PA_D_PB_VW_FIL – View File
• CT_PA_D_PB_DEL_FIL – Delete File
• CT_PA_D_PB_CHD_C – Collapse Parent Field
• CT_PA_D_PB_CHD_D – Child Field
• CT_PA_D_PB_CHD_E – Expand Parent Field
• CT_PA_D_PB_COL_ALL – Collapse All
• CT_PA_D_PB_EXP_ALL – Expand All
• CT_PA_D_PB_GO_TSK – Execute Task
• CT_PA_D_PB_GO_LNK – Execute Link
• CT_PA_D_PB_REF_FLD – Refresh System Field
• CT_PA_D_PB_GO_GRP – Open Group from HUB Activity Field
• CT_PA_D_PB_GO_HUB – Open HUB from Group Row
• CT_PA_D_PB_GO_CFG – Field Configuration from Group

With Text Only Button:

• CT_PA_D_GO_DEM – Review Employee Information
• CT_PA_D_GO_APP – Retirement Application
• CT_PA_D_GO_ERN – Disability Outside Income
• CT_PA_D_GO_MSC – Miscellaneous Pension Data
• CT_PA_D_GO_SHT – Calculation Override Worksheet
• CT_PA_D_TO_APT – Administer Appointee
• CT_PA_D_PB_RETURN – Return to HUB from Audit Details
• CT_PA_D_PB_GO_LST – Open Group Processing from Group Select Group List
• CT_PA_D_PB_SEL_UPD – Update Fields on Selected Group Rows

Adding a NEW Button DOES require a developer.

Button Labels

Optionally override the default Button Label or Mouse Over Text using the Description field.

Button Image

When applicable, the default button image is displayed.  The image can be overridden by selecting an alternative Button Image. When an image is selected, the sample button displays the selected image.

Calculation Results

The Calculation area of the Retirement Application Section can be configured to include specific Function Results or Aliases from the Calculation Results.

Sample Calculation Result Configuration:

Field Name

The Field Name corresponds to the Function Result Name or other Alias Name resolved by the calculation to be retrieved for display in the Calculation Details area of the Retirement Application Section.

Description

The Calculation Result Description appears as the label for each displayed Calculation Result.

Field Value Type

Available Field Value Types are limited to the types of results returned by the calculation, including Character, Decimal, Dollar, and Date.

Sort Order

The Sort Order defines the order in which the Calculation Results appear in the Calculation Details area of the Retirement Application Section.

Comments

The comment will display when the mouse pointer is placed over the Calculation Result description.

Configuration Link

A Configuration Link Button appears only for users with security access to edit Disability Hub configuration.

Hub Activity Types

Each section on the Disability Hub can include different configured Activity Types.

Sample Hub Activity Type Configuration:

Some Examples:

• S_ACTIVITY_TYPE – Activities
• S_DATA_TYPE – Data Collections
• S_TABLE_TYPE – User-Defined Tables

Activity Types should be set up with the Field Value Type of Character w/Translate. The Translate Values configure the Activity Types available within the Section. One and only one Activity Type field should be defined per Section.

Adding a NEW Activity DOES NOT require a developer.

Effective Date/Status

The Effective Data and Status fields can introduce or discontinue a set of Activity Types.

Track All Changes

When the Track All Changes checkbox is selected, any changes to the Activity header record are written to a new effective dated record, preserving all prior edits. Only the add activity, delete activity, comment edits, or updates to child Filter/Sort data fields impact the Activity record Time Stamp. The history of changes can be viewed for the Data Set or Activity by clicking the Data Set/Activity History icon. 

Alternatively, when the Track All Changes checkbox is not selected, the Activity record is updated—the effective date does not change, but the last update operator ID and time stamp are updated. No history of the record’s prior status is maintained. In this case, the Data Set/Activity History will only display details from the latest update.

A new feature is planned to allow the user to view each tracked field’s creation and edit history. At this time, the record effective date, last update operator ID, and last update time stamp are not displayed on the Disability Hub page.

Description

An informational Description for a set of Activity Types.

Field Value Type

Only Character w/Translate is valid for an Activity Type.

Valid Values

Use the Valid Values section to configure the translate values to populate dropdown lists and prompts for Activity Types.

Field Value

The Field Value is the shortened value stored in the database.

Effective Date/Status

The Effective Date and Status fields can be used to determine if and when a particular translate value can be selected.

Activity Type Labels

The configured Valid Values Description appears in the Activity Type dropdown list.  An Activity Type label can be changed at a particular date by adding a new row with a new effective date and updating the Description.  An Activity Type can be removed on a specific date by adding a new row with a new effective date and changing the Status to Inactive.

The translate value Description is used throughout the Disability Hub to identify Data, Activity, and Table Types.

Activity Type Search Labels

This Search Label has no impact for Activity Types.  You can search by Activity Type in the Disability Hub Search Record and the Filter/Sort Data/Activity tools.  

Activity Type Comment Enabled

When the Display Activity Comment checkbox is selected, the Activity header record is displayed with a long character edit box to capture user comments.  In some cases, such as for the user-defined tables, providing a comment box might not be desirable.

Activity Type Maximum per Employee

Setting the Valid Value Maximum Per Employee will limit the number of times an Activity instance can be created within a member’s Disability Hub. Once the maximum is attained, the Activity Type dropdown list will no longer include the Activity Type. For example, this configuration option can limit members to only one Disability Case Data Activity or a set number of Disability Reconsideration Activities.

Hub Data Fields

Each Activity on the Disability Hub can include different configured Data Fields.

Some Examples:

• S_AGENDA_COMMENTS – Agenda Comments
• S_CE_DECISION – Cont’d Entitlement Decision
• S_MEETING_DATE – Meeting Date

Adding a NEW Data Field DOES NOT require a developer.

Hub Data Field Configuration Options

Activity Data Field – Description

The configured Field Description appears on the Disability Hub Page.  A Field label can be changed at a particular date by adding a new row with a new effective date and updating the Description.  A Field can be removed on a specific date by adding a new row with a new effective date and changing the Status to Inactive. Deleting a Field configuration after data has been collected for the Field is not recommended.

Activity Data Field – MouseOver

A more detailed description of the field may be entered in the MouseOver.  The MouseOver displays when the mouse pointer is placed over the field description on the Dynamic Hub page.

Sample Mouse Over Configuration:

Sample MouseOver Display:

If no MouseOver text is configured, the field description will not display with a dashed underline and placing the mouse pointer on the field description will not popup a detailed description.

Activity Data Field – Track All Changes

When the Track All Changes checkbox is selected, any changes to the Data Field are written to a new effective dated record, preserving all prior edits.  

Alternatively, when the Track All Changes checkbox is not selected, the Activity record is updated—the effective date does not change, but the last update operator ID and time stamp are updated. No history of the Data Fields’ prior status is maintained. 

A new feature is planned to allow the user to view each tracked field’s creation and edit history. Currently, the record effective date, last update operator ID, and last update time stamp are not displayed on the Disability Hub page.

Sample Field Change History for File Upload field type with Track All Changes configured:

Activity Data Field – Field Value Type

The following types of data can be configured:

• Character – Up to 50 Characters Mixed Case Text
• Character w/Translate – Dropdown with Configured List of Options
• Checkbox – Yes/No Checkbox
• Date – Any Calendar Date
• Date w/Schedule – Dropdown with Configured List of Dates presented with a Description
• Decimal – Number with up to 6 decimal place accuracy
• Dollars – Number presented as a Dollar Amount
• Long Character – A large edit box usually used for freeform Comments
• Table Lookup – Lookup the Key Value (ID Number) from a User Defined Table
• Activity Sequence Lookup
• File Generate/Upload – Generate or Upload Documents

Adding a NEW Value Type DOES require a developer.

Sample Character/Long Character Field Configuration:

Sample Character w/Translate Field Configuration:

Sample Character w/Translate Field Prompt:

Sample Checkbox Field Configuration:

Sample Date Field Configuration

Sample Date Field Prompt

Sample Date w/Schedule Field Configuration

Sample Date w/Schedule Field Prompt

Sample Table Lookup Field Configuration:

Sample Table Lookup Prompt:

Sample Table Lookup Reference Field Configuration:

Sample Activity Sequence Lookup Field Configuration:

Sample Activity Sequence Lookup Field Prompt:

Sample File Upload Field Configuration:

Sample File Upload Field Entry:

Sample Group Key Configuration

Sample Group Field Configuration

Sample Group View

Activity Data Field – Sort Order

Data Fields within an Activity are presented in this numerical Sort Order by default.

Sample Disability Hub Field Config Search Record with Sort Order sorted ascending – click Sort Order in list view header:

Activity Field Field Always Display

When the Always Display Field checkbox is selected, the field will be presented immediately after a new Activity is created and will always be included when the Activity is displayed. After a new field is configured with the Field Always Display option, it is automatically added when a member’s hub with a previously created Activity is opened.

Alternatively, when the Always Display Filed checkbox is not selected, the field is optional and can be added to the Activity manually by clicking the Add Field button.  Use this option for fields that are not always applicable to the Activity but are needed occasionally.  If any unused optional fields for this activity type are configured, the Add Field button will appear in the Activity header.  Press the Add Field button to introduce a new field prompt. After selecting an optional field type, the list of fields is resorted, and the cursor is placed in the added row.  Optional Fields can be deleted individually.

Sample Workflow to Add an Optional Field:

When the prompt value is selected, the field will be added to the Activity in the configured sort order and can be edited, or in this case, a File Attachment can be uploaded:

Activity Data Field Value Required

When the Field Value Required checkbox is selected, an error will be presented to the Disability Hub user when a blank, zero, or null value is found in the field when a Save is attempted.  A message will be returned, the field will be highlighted in red, the cursor will be placed on the field, and the Save operation will be aborted.  The user cannot Save updates until the blank, zero, or null value is replaced with a meaningful value.

Alternatively, when the Field Value Required checkbox is not selected, any value for the field will be acceptable when the save operation is completed.

Sample Error Message when attempting to Save Disability Hub with a Field Value Required field left blank:

Activity Data Field Required to Complete

When the Required to Complete checkbox is selected, an error will be presented to the Disability Hub user when a blan, zero, or null value is found in the field when the Complete Activity button is pressed.  A message will be returned, the field will be highlighted in red, the cursor will be placed on the field, and the Complete Activity action will be aborted.  The user cannot Complete Activity until the blank, zero, or null value is replaced with a meaningful value.

Alternatively, when the Required to Complete checkbox is not selected, any value for the field will be acceptable when the Complete Activity button is pressed.

Sample Error Message when attempting to Complete Activity with a Required to Complete field left blank:

Activity Data Field Display Audit Information

For Fields with Field Value Type Checkbox, the Display Audit Information checkbox will cause the field to display on the page with the Audit information for when the Checkbox was checked, including Operator Id and Timestamp.

The Checkbox Display Audit Information is presented as follows:

Activity Data Field Default Value

The following Field Default options are available to set the field value when a new Activity or new Field is added:

• No Default – Blank, Zero, or Null value Defaulted
• Fixed Value – Configured Fixed Value Defaulted
• Current Date – Current System Date Defaulted
• Selected Value – Configured Default Translate or Scheduled Date Defaulted
• User EmplID – Employee ID associated with the current User Defaulted
• Next Value – The Lowest Alphabetical Field Value Not Used in Any other Activity for the Member is Defaulted
• Next Date – The Next Future Dated Scheduled Date that has not exceeded the Maximum Participants is Defaulted
• Latest Activity Sequence – The highest prior Activity Sequence number of the configured Activity Type for this Member
• System Value – The System Field Default logic is applied when field is newly added to the member’s record.

When Fixed Value is selected, a Default Value can be entered on the Field Configuration page.

When the Selected Value is selected, the Default Translate Value must be checked for a single entry in the Valid Values or Scheduled Dates section of the Field Configuration. 

When User EMPLID is selected, the EMPLID for the current user is defaulted.  This option is valuable for fields like Last Review Completed By where a small list of Reviewer Emplids and Names are configured as Translate Values for the Field.

When Next Value is selected for a Character w/Translate type field, the next value in a progression is selected. For example, the Reconsideration field can be configured to advance through Initial Consideration, First Reconsideration, and Second Reconsideration as Reconsideration Activities are added to the member’s Disability Hub.

When Next Date is selected for a Date w/Schedule type field, the next available date in the schedule can be defaulted.  This would be the next future date that does not exceed the maximum number of participants.

Existing Activity Before Adding Activity

After New Activity Added on 1/30/2025:

For this example:

• The Type field default is set to Selected Value, and the Initial value is marked as the Default Translate Value.
• The Iteration field default is set to Next Value, and the next field value after the previously use Initial Consideration is First Reconsideration.
• The Related MEB Action default is set to Latest Activity Sequence, and the most recent Medical Examiner Board Action Activity has the Activity Sequence equals 14.
• The Scheduled Date default is set to Next Date, and the field is defaulted to the next open date, 2/19/2025.

Activity Data Field Activity Type

This important, required Activity Type field associates the Data Field with an Activity.  This Data Field will be included for the identified Activity. All Activity Data fields should be related to an Activity Type.

Activity Data Field Filter/Sort Field Type

The Filter/Sort Field Type setting allows selection of the following options:

• Character
• Date
• Number

This setting instructs the system to replicate the field on the Activity header for easier Filtering and Sorting.  Up to one field in each Activity Type can be assigned to each of the Filter/Sort Field Types.  

Currently, the value stored is not displayed on the Disability Hub.  This feature is a bit of a work in progress.  It’s used for the Attorney Full-Name to assist with prompts.

Activity Data Field Related Table and Field

The Related Table field associates a Field with a user-defined Table.  This is used for two types of fields:

• Table Lookup – Used to associate the Table ID with the member’s Disability Hub
• Related Table or Activity Field – Used to display related Table Fields (display only) based on the Table Lookup or Activity Sequence field value

For example, the user-defined Attorney Table includes fields capturing name and contact information.  The table fields are configured under the Table Hub Section, and data is entered using the Disability Hub Table Config page.  

An Attorney Table entry can be associated with a member using a Table Lookup field configured within an Activity under the Activity or Data Hub Type. The Table Lookup field will have the Related Table field configured with the Attorney Table.  

Once an Attorney ID is selected, it may be desirable to retrieve some or all of the Attorney contact information on the member’s Disability Hub and present them as display-only Fields.  The Related Display Fields are configured using the matching Value Type and specifying the Related Table AND Related Field.  

The Related Table Field is required for Related Display Fields.  If left blank, the system will attempt to find a user-defined Table Field with the same name as the Related Field being configured.

Sample Table Related Activity Field Configuration:

Sample Table Related Activity Field Display:

Users with access to the Table Configuration can click the Table button to edit the Table details for all entries that use the table id:

Sample Related Activity Field Configuration:

Sample Related Activity Field Display:

Activity Data Field Related Section and Activity Type

Activity Sequence Lookup fields capture an Activity Sequence number from another Activity in the member’s Hub.  The other Activity Sequence number can come from any Section and Activity Type.  The Related Section and Related Activity Type field allow the source for the Activity Sequence Lookup. Often the Related Section and Related Activity Type will match the fields Section and Activity Type, but it can be different.

Sample Activity Sequence Lookup Field Configuration:

Sample Activity Sequence Lookup Prompt:

Activity Data Field – Group Page Field

The Group Page Field checkbox indicates this field should be included in the Group view for this Activity Type.  There can be up to 15 fields displayed in the Group View, including the optional Name, Activity Comment, and Activity Completed columns.  Only fields associated with Activity Type can be included in the Group view.

Activity Data Field – Group View Activity Key

The Group View Activity Key checkbox indicates the field used to group Activity data for multiple members.

To configure an optional Group view for an Activity, use the checkbox to select one and only one Character w/Translate or Date w/Schedule field included in the Activity.  There can only be one Group view per Activity Type.

Sample Group View Activity Key field configuration:

The button for Disability Group will appear next to the field:

Clicking the link opens the Disability Group view for the related value:

The Disability Group Search Record will only include Activity Types with a Group View Activity Key configured:

Activity Data Field – Group Only Generate File

The Group Only Generate File identifies a field that will only be displayed in the Select/Action section of the Dynamic Group page, used to generate a single report that include all selected members.

Sample Group Only Generate File Configuration:

Sample Group Only Generate File Field:

Activity Data Field – Name Comment Order

The Name Column Order identifies a column sort order value to control the column where the Member Name will appear on the Group view. A numeric value is entered, and all columns to display are sorted using the number entered.  If no value (zero) is entered for the Name Column Order, the Member Name will not appear on the Group view.  This configuration field only appears on the field configured as the Group View Activity Key. 

Activity Data Field – Activity Column Order

The Name Column Order identifies a column sort order value to control the column where the Activity Comment will appear on the Group view. A numeric value is entered, and all columns to display are sorted using the number entered.  If no value (zero) is entered for the Activity Comment Order, the Activity Comment will not appear on the Group view.  This configuration field only appears on the field configured as the Group View Activity Key. 

Activity Data Field – Activity Completed Order

The Name Column Order identifies a column sort order value to control the column where the Activity Completed Indicator will appear on the Group view. A numeric value is entered, and all columns to display are sorted using the number entered.  If no value (zero) is entered for the Activity Completed Order, the Activity Completed Indicator will not appear on the Group view.  This configuration field only appears on the field configured as the Group View Activity Key. 

Activity Data Field – Group Column Order

The Group Column Order identifies a column sort order value to control the column where the field will appear on the Group view. A numeric value is entered, and all columns to display are sorted using the number entered.  

Activity Data Field – Group Display Only

The Group Display Only checkbox indicates that the field should appear as display only and not be editable in the Group view. When this configuration field is unchecked, the field may be edited directly from the Group view page.

Activity Data Field – Report Name

The Report Name for a File Generate/Upload Field identifies the BI Publisher Report used to generate a file.

Activity Data Field – Template ID

The Template ID for a File Generate/Upload Field identifies the BI Publisher Report Template used to generate a file.

Activity Data Field – Format Type

The Format Type for a File Generate/Upload Field identifies the BI Publisher Report Format used to generate a file.

Activity Data Field – Allow File Override

The Allow File Override for a File Generate/Upload Field indicates the user can upload an override file.

Activity Data Field – Auto Save File Upload

The Auto Save File Upload for a File Generate/Upload Field indicates the page should be saved automatically as soon as the file has been generated.  Otherwise, the page will wait for the user to save the page, giving the user an opportunity to review the generated letter without saving the results.

Activity Data Field – Link Type

The Link Type field identifies the preconfigured link appropriate for this field.  The user can execute the link using the execute link button on the field row to open a new browser tab with the link destination.

Activity Data Field – Audit Link Execution

The Audit Link Execution will make an audit details entry every time the execute link button is clicked.

Activity Data Field – Task Type

The Task Type field identifies the preconfigured task action appropriate for this field.  The user can execute the task action using the execute task button on the field row.

Activity Data Field – Audit Task Execution

The Audit Task Execution will make an audit details entry every time the execute task button is clicked.

Activity Data Field – One-Time Task Complete

The One-Time Task Complete will disable the option to execute the task after the first time the task is executed.

Activity Data Field – System Field

The System Field identifies the preconfigured logic appropriate to populate this field with data from another system source.  The field can be defaulted when first added to the member’s record using the Field Default of System Value.

Activity Data Field – System Field Display Only

The System Field Display Only indicates that the user can not edit the value retrieved by the preconfigured logic.  The user can manually refresh the value using the Refresh System Value button.

Activity Data Field – System Field Auto Refresh

The System Field Aut Refresh indicates that anytime the field is displayed, the preconfigured logic will be applied to possibly change the current value.  Set this option to keep the value in sync with the source.

Activity Data Field – Child Field

Check the Child Field box to configure a child field.  Parent fields can be expanded to display child fields or collapsed to hide child fields.

Sample Child Field Configuration:

Sample Child Field Expanded Display:

Sample Child Field Collapsed Display:

All Parent Fields can be expanded or collapsed using buttons in the Filter/Sort Activity Section:

Activity Data Field – Parent Field Name

The Parent Field Name associates the child field with a parent field from the same Activity Type. To display the Parent/Child fields in a logical grouping and order, the parent field should have a lower sort order number than the child sort order, and all child fields for a parent should have a sort order between the parent field sort order and the next non-child field sort order.

Activity Data Field – Expand Parent

The Expand Parent field provides options for conditional defaults to expand or collapse a parent field when a page is first opened, refreshed, or new parent value is added to the page.

• Always – Always Expand
• Never – Always Collapse
• When Parent Changed – Expand when the Value of the Parent Field  is first entered or changes
• When Parent Has Value – Expand when the Parent Field has a non-zero, non-blank value
• When Parent Value Is – Expand when the Parent Field equals the specified value
• When Parent Value is Not – Expand when the Parent Field does not equal the specified value

Activity Data Field – Limit Display

Check the Limit Display box to configure conditional logic for when to hide or display a field.

Sample Limit Display Configuration:

In this example, the Received – Distribution Form Checkbox will be displayed only when the Beneficiary Type is not equal to E (Estate) and the Death Benefit Payable is L (Lump Sum).  In other words, the Distribution Form is only required when a Lump Sum is payable to a non-Estate Beneficiary.  

Sample Limit Display with Field Conditions Met:

Activity Data Field – Limit Display Related Field 1

Include Field when the Limit Display Related Field 1 meets the specified condition.

Activity Data Field – Limit Display Condition 1

Include Field when the Limit Display Related Field 1 meets the Limit Display Condition 1.

• Always – Always Include
• Never – Never Include
• When Related Field Displayed – When the Related Field is Displayed based on it’s own Limit Display configuration
• When Related Field Has Value – When the Related Field has a non-zero, non-blank value
• When Related Field Value Is – When the Related Field equals the specified value
• When Related Field Value Is Not – When the Related Field does not equal the specified value

Activity Data Field – Limit Display Value 1

Enter the compare value when the ‘When Relate Field Value Is or Is Not’ condition is selected.

Activity Data Field – Limit Display And/Or

Select And or Or to add a second condition to the Limit Display logic.

Activity Data Field – Limit Display Related Field 2

Include Field when the Limit Display Related Field 2 meets the specified condition.

Activity Data Field – Limit Display Include 2

Include Field when the Limit Display Related Field 2 meets the Limit Display Condition 2.

• Always – Always Include
• Never – Never Include
• When Related Field Displayed – When the Related Field is Displayed based on it’s own Limit Display configuration
• When Related Field Has Value – When the Related Field has a non-zero, non-blank value
• When Related Field Value Is – When the Related Field equals the specified value
• When Related Field Value Is Not – When the Related Field does not equal the specified value

Activity Data Field – Limit Display Value 2

Enter the compare value when the ‘When Relate Field Value Is or Is Not’ condition is selected.

Activity Data Field – Notes

A more detailed description of the field may be entered in the Notes.  The comments display when the mouse pointer is placed over the field description on the Disability Hub page.

Sample Comment Configuration:

Activity Data Field – Translate Values

For Field with Field Value Type Character w/Translate, the Valid Values grid captures the options to be presented in a related drop-down.

The Field Value is the value stored in the database.  It can be up to 10 characters in length.

The configured Translate Value Description appears in the drop-down list for this field on the Disability Hub Page. A Translate Value label can be changed on a particular date by adding a new row with a new effective date and updating the Description. Similarly, a Translate Value option can be removed on a specific date by adding a new row with a new effective date and changing the Status to Inactive. It is not recommended to delete a Translate Value configuration after data has been collected for the Field.

Sample Translate Values:

Activity Data Field – Default Translate Value

When the Field Default is set to Selected Value, the Default Translate Value must be checked for a single entry.  When a new Activity or Field is added to the member’s Disability Hub, the field will default to the selected Translate Value.

Activity Data Field – Translate Search Label

The configured Valid Values Search Label appears in the Filter/Sort options within the Section. Since it may be presented alongside search labels from other fields, it should include information on the field and the translated value.

For example:

• Cont’d Entitlement Recon-Initial
• Cont’d Entitlement-Approved
• App Decision-Tabled

Leave the Search Label blank to exclude from the Search options.

Sample Disability Hub Search Record Prompt for Characters w/Translate Values:

• Includes only values found in any member’s data.
• Includes only translate values configured with a Search Label.

Sample Disability Hub Filter Option for Characters w/Translate Values:

• Includes only values found in the member’s data.
• Includes only translate values configured with a Search Label.

Activity Data Field  – Schedules Dates

For Field with Field Value Type Date w/Schedule, the Selectable Dates grid captures the options to be presented in a related drop-down.

The Field Value is the Selectable Date stored in the database.  It can be any Calendar Date.

The configured Selectable Date Description appears in the drop-down list for this field on the Disability Hub Page.  The label can be changed at a particular date by adding a new row with a new effective date and updating the Description.  An option can be removed on a specific date by adding a new row with a new effective date and changing the Status to Inactive. Deleting a Selectable Date configuration after data has been collected for the Field is not recommended.

Data Field Scheduled Dates Search Label

The configured Selectable Date Search Label appears in the Filter/Sort options within the Section. Since it may be presented alongside search labels from other fields, it should include information on the field and the translated value.

For example:

• 12/22/2024 Board Meeting
• 01/18/2024 Board Meeting

Leave the Search Label blank to exclude from the Search options.

The Scheduled Dates field on the Disability Hub search page can be used to find all EMPLIDs with a particular Scheduled Date assigned.

Sample Disability Hub Search Record Prompt for Date w/Schedule:

• Includes only values found in any member’s data.
• Includes only translate values configured with a Search Label.

Sample Disability Hub Filter Option for Date w/Schedule:

• Includes only values found in the member’s data.
• Includes only translate values configured with a Search Label.

Data Field Default Scheduled Date

When the Field Default is set to Selected Value, the Default Date must be checked for a single entry.  When a new Activity or Field is added to the member’s Disability Hub, the field will default to the selected Date.

Data Field Scheduled Date Maximum Employees w/Date

The number of unique Employee IDs assigned a particular Selectable Date can be capped using the Maximum Employees w/Date.  

Once the maximum number of employees has been assigned the date, the date selection drop-down will show “(FULL)” as appended to the description. The date can still be selected, but another warning will be presented when saved. This allows the user to assign this member to the date and then remove another member or make an exception to the limit. The Scheduled Dates field on the Disability Hub search page can be used to find all EMPLIDs with a particular date assigned.

The Date w/Schedule field prompt includes information about Past and Full Scheduled Dates:

Warning is issued when Adding Member to Full Scheduled Date:

The selected Scheduled Data can be saved after this warning, allowing exceptions to the maximum number of employees or saving this member and moving another member out of this Scheduled Date.

Copy/Move Field Configuration

To facilitate faster configuration, the Disability Hub field configuration can be moved or copied to a new Hub Type, Hub Section, Activity Type, or Field Name by using the Copy/Move Field Configuration section at the bottom of the page. The Copy or Move buttons will save the configuration, and if a Copy/Move is successful, the new Field will open for further adjustments.

Hub Section may be blank when moving or copying some Section Label or Button Label fields.

Reports

Hub Activity Report

The Hub Activity Report presents all the applicable field values for a member’s activity.  

Sample Configuration for Optional Activity Report:

Sample Activity Report:

Hub Activity Configuration Report

The Hub Activity Configuration Report presents all the configured field details for an activity.

Sample Configuration for Optional Activity Configuration Report:

Sample Activity Configuration Report:

Button Images

Selection Criteria

The Scheduled Date or Translate Value, configured for the Group, is displayed, and the user can enter criteria to populate the Group grid.  The refresh button updates the grid based on the entered selection criteria.

Select/Action

All or some of the members in the grid can be selected for bulk operations.  

Copy to Group List

Create, append, or replace a group list using the Copy button in the Select/Action section using the list name and list option selected.  

Options: 

• Create a New List – Make a new list with the list name entered with the selected members.
• Replace List – Delete and Replace the existing named list with the selected members.
• Append to List – Add any missing selected members to an existing named list.

Open Group List

Open the named group list on the Group Processing page. This option is helpful for processing and reviewing batch calculations.

Update Selected Rows

Update selected rows with the same value for any or all editable fields in the grid. This helps update the disability decision and decision date for some or all of the group members with only a few clicks.

Configuration Feedback Loop

Users granted access to the configuration page are presented with a direct configuration link to edit the configuration. After returning, click refresh to see the changes results almost instantly. The quick feedback loop allows configuration changes during a design session and immediately demonstrates their impact.

Quick fix loop involves:

1. Configuration Link
2. Edit Configuration
3. Click Save
4. Close Window
5. Open Filter/Sort Tools
6. Click Refresh

Prerequisite Updates

None

Additional Resources

Dynamic Hub Configuration – Quickly Build Amazing Applications for Functional Teams