Manage apps

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Use the Application Hub section to manage Creatio apps and add-ons. In Creatio, apps are function blocks that solve business problems. For example, an app can be a set of request management tools. An app can consist of one or more content packages. Packages are added automatically when you create a new app.

The Application Hub section lets you:

Create an app 

You can create apps of any complexity in a single place using the Application Hub, which lets you streamline the development process as much as possible. Apps can include:

  • sections that are displayed as navigation menu items and comprise various custom UI elements
  • various pages, e. g, lists, form pages, dashboards
  • business processes
  • custom REST and SOAP service integrations
  • other schema types that are a part of Creatio configuration, e. g., objects, data bindings, SQL scripts, etc.

To create a new app:

  1. Click btn_system_designer_8_shell.png in the top right → “Application Management” → “Application Hub.”

  2. Click New application (Fig. 1). This opens a window.

    Fig. 1 Add an app
    add_new_app_1.png

  3. Select a new app template based on your business goals (Fig. 2):

    • Records & Business processes. Contains Freedom UI section schemas. The Freedom UI section is displayed in a separate workplace.
    • Dashboards. Contains Home Page schemas of page type. The page is displayed in a separate workplace.
    • Custom. An empty template that contains a package with no configuration element schemas.

    For example, select “Records & Business processes” to add a list and form page to the app automatically.

    Note. If you want to install an existing app, select “Install from file” or “Marketplace powered.” Also, you can select “Customer 360” and “Case Management” to install these apps quickly if you do not have them.

    Fig. 2 Select an app template
    choose_type_new_app_2.png
  4. Click Select to confirm the template. This opens a window.

  5. Specify the app parameters. This data will be stored as the app metadata. You can review or change it whenever you need. Learn more about the app metadata in a separate article: Set up the app metadata.

    1. Select the app icon by clicking the arrows or using the scroll wheel.
    2. Select the app icon color.

    3. Enter the app name in the PLEASE NAME YOUR APPLICATION field. The app name must be unique. This is a required field.

    4. Edit the app code if needed.

      Note. App content includes source code that contains macros. When you create an app, Creatio sets the macros to metadata values.

  6. Select Link to an existing object to use an existing object in the app and transfer your previous customizations to Freedom UI. Otherwise Creatio adds a new object for the app.

  7. Click Create (Fig. 3).

    Fig. 3 App parameters
    scr_populate_fields_new_app.png

As a result, Creatio will add the app to the Application Hub section (Fig. 4). The app will contain the elements included in the template. For example, a list page and form page. You might need to add new sections to workplaces before users can start working with the app.

Fig. 4 Configuration of the new app
scr_new_app_advanced_settings.png

To view the results or test the app in operation, click Run app. You can also use this option to preview the improvements you make to the app.

Install an app from Marketplace 

  1. Click btn_system_designer_8_shell.png in the top right → “Application Management” → “Application Hub.”

  2. Click New application (Fig. 5). This opens a window.

    Fig. 5 Add an app
    scr_app_hub_new_app.png
  3. Select Marketplace powered → Select. You will be redirected to the Creatio Marketplace website.
  4. Log in under your credentials. If you do not have an account, sign up and log in to your account.
  5. Select the app to install and look through its characteristics and support conditions. Click Install if the app requirements match your Creatio configuration. This opens a new page.

  6. Specify the address of the website to install the app, accept the Public offer agreement and click Install (Fig. 6). You will be redirected to the page of the Creatio App Installation Wizard.

    Fig. 6 Installation page of a Creatio Marketplace app
    scr_chapter_marketplace_insert_web_address.png
  7. Click Install on the Wizard page. The installation might take several minutes to finish. Wait for the process to complete before taking any further action.

As a result, Creatio will add the app to the Application Hub section.

Fig. 7 New app in the Application Hub section
scr_appliication_hub_new_app_installed.png

To view the results or test the app in operation, open the app and click Run app.

If something goes wrong during the installation, you can always download the installation log and restore your Creatio configuration to the state before the app was installed in a single click.

Fig. 8 App installation error
scr_app_installation_error.png

Install an app from a file 

You can also install an app from a *.zip or *.gz file. This method can be more convenient for Creatio on-site users who have limited access to external requests. To do this:

  1. Open the needed app → the Packages tab → download the Marketplace app files.
  2. Click btn_system_designer_8_shell.png in the top right → “Application Management” → “Application Hub.”
  3. Click New application. This opens a window.
  4. Select Install from file → Select.

  5. Click Select file on the page of the Marketplace App Installation Wizard and specify the app file path.

    Once you select the file, the installation will run automatically.

Install an app into an environment that uses a balancer 

If you use a load balancer to ensure fault tolerance of your Creatio application, the install process for apps differs. Install an app from a file into one Creatio instance, then transfer settings to other instances. Learn more in a separate article: Compile an app on a web farm.

Deploy an app 

You can transfer apps between trial Creatio environments in the Application Hub without downloading apps. For example, this is useful for setting up demo websites and conducting presentations.

To transfer an app:

  1. Click btn_system_designer_8_shell.png in the top right → “Application Management” → “Application Hub.”

  2. Click the scr_button_to_delete_app.png button in the bottom right of the app icon → “Deploy” (Fig. 10).

    Fig. 9 Deploy the app
    scr_application_hub_deploy_app.png

  3. Select the target site → Deploy.

    Fig. 10 Deployment parameters
    scr_application_hub_deploy_app_parameters.png

As a result, Creatio will add the app to the Application Hub section of the target website.

If something goes wrong during the installation, you can always download the installation log and restore your Creatio configuration in a single click.

Download an app 

You can download custom and Marketplace apps as archives to transfer them to different environments. To download an app:

  1. Click btn_system_designer_8_shell.png in the top right → “Application Management” → “Application Hub.”

  2. Click the scr_button_to_delete_app.png button in the bottom right of the app icon → “Export” (Fig. 11) and wait for the process to complete.

    Fig. 11 Download an app
    app_hub_download_app.png

As a result, the browser will download the *.zip archive that contains all the app files to your machine.

When you download an app, Creatio saves any data you entered into the app as well as the following metadata:

  • icon
  • color
  • name
  • description

Creatio applies this data when you install the app into a different environment.

Delete an app 

You can delete custom and Marketplace apps. To delete an app:

  1. Click btn_system_designer_8_shell.png in the top right → “Application Management” → “Application Hub.”

  2. Click the scr_button_to_delete_app.png button in the bottom right of the app icon → “Delete” (Fig. 12) and wait for the process to complete.

    Fig. 12 Delete an app
    app_hub_delete_app.png
See also
Freedom UI Designer
Install applications from the Marketplace