Services

Services in Quixy function similarly to applications but operate as backend mechanisms that support the functionality of Kanban view and for upcoming views such as Map, Calendar etc. A service can be created independently, but it cannot function without being linked to a view. Let’s dive into how services help the views update data points (e.g.: Kanban view).

Service as a function or feature doesn't have any significance of its own, however when it is linked with Kanban view it enhances the core functionality of the Kanban. To explain this further, let’s consider a Customer Support Ticket use case, where the Kanban view is used to track tickets. In this case, the tickets are divided into different stages, like Open, In Progress, Resolved, Hold, and Closed, which represent the progression of the support tickets.

When a card is moved through stages in the Kanban view, the corresponding stage of the particular card needs to be updated in the data table (eventually leading to update in data source and Kanban view). This is where Services come in. Just like applications, services will have elements that capture data, and we need to create services with elements that match those in the Kanban.

Since the service operates as the backend mechanism for the Kanban, the first step is to map the Service elements to the corresponding elements in the data table. This establishes a connection, allowing the service to update the table whenever changes occur. To facilitate this, we create events (data functions) within the service that establish the mapping between the service elements and the data table elements. Once this is set up, the service is then linked to the Kanban by mapping its elements to the Kanban board.

Now, whenever a card moves from one stage to another, the service detects this change and triggers its update function, ensuring the data table reflects the new status. Since the data source is built on the updated table, the Kanban board also stays in sync. This process keeps everything connected and ensures a smooth workflow.

Creating a Service

A Service can be either created manually or using a JSON object.

Let’s now understand how to create a service manually.

• Go to Admin Menu > Apps > Create Service.

• Select the elements for the Service that correspond to the fields displayed in the Kanban view such as:

  • Ticket ID (Text)

  • Description (Text)

  • Issue Type (Text)

  • Due by Date (Date)

  • Requester (Text)

  • Status (Text)

  • Priority (Text)

• Once you've added all the necessary elements, click Save & Next to proceed to the Events page.

• On the Events page, choose Data Functions.

• Click Add and assign a name to the event.

• Select the Data Table you created for Kanban, choose the Update Function, and click Configure.

• Map the elements in the Service to the data source columns and click Save.

• Finalize the Service: After saving the Service, it’s ready for use in the Kanban view.

By completing these steps, you’ll have a functional Service powering your Kanban view, enabling seamless management of customer support tickets. For more details on how Services integrate with Kanban views, refer to the Kanban article.

Refer the video below for better understanding: