Object resets

Object resets are a way to automatically modify objects that exist in the IBM OpenPages® with Watson™ repository.

The most common use of the object reset functionality is to "reset" all of your objects at the beginning of a new reporting period. For example, each quarter you have controls and tests that need to be reviewed and performed. The results of those tasks are recorded by updating the properties and attachments of the appropriate objects. After all of these quarterly tasks have been completed, and the quarter is finished, you archive all of the results into a Reporting Period and prepare for the new quarter. However, the existing objects still display the test results and changed properties of the previous quarter.

Rather than go in and modify the objects by hand, you can use the object reset functionality to take your existing objects and modify their properties based on the rules in your ruleset.

While object resets work well with the reporting period capability of the OpenPages with Watson application, object resets do not require the existence of a reporting period to be used.

Object resets on file attachments

You can only use object resets to delete objects that are JSP-based, not attachments available when using the Browse Files option. For example, if you use an object reset on SOXDocument, you see the following error:

VALIDATION ERROR (Line: 8 Column: 55): Content Type (SOXDocument)
must be JSP-based to be referenced in an Object Delete rule.

Suppose that you have files that are attached to test results. You can configure the settings to delete attachments when test results are deleted. To delete the SOXDocument objects, you can add SOXDocument to the Cascade Delete setting to delete the files that are associated with the test results during the object reset rule to delete test results.

Object resets on system fields

When modifying fields or using fields within <criteria> tags, you may not use "system" fields. System fields are the fields common to all object types, such as name, description, or creator. Field modifications and ruleset criteria must use custom fields (non-system fields). If the field you want does not appear in a field group for the appropriate object type, you cannot use it in your ruleset.

Object resets on currency fields

If you use an object reset rule to update the value of the Local Currency Code of a currency field, the Exchange Rate and Base Amount are not updated to match the new Local Currency Code value.

While the Base Amount is calculated using the Local Currency Code and the Exchange Rate, it will not change because the Exchange Rate has not been modified and the number of displayed fraction digits for the currency has not been changed. In order to see a change in the Base Amount, you must include a rule to update the Exchange Rate or modify the number of displayed fraction digits.

Preparing your data

Before an object reset is performed, you will need to perform a few tasks to help ensure that the reset procedure goes smoothly.
  • Back up your OpenPages with Watson data before running an object reset.
  • If you plan on archiving your changes to a reporting period, you will need to set up the reporting period before running the object reset.