Categories
In the Self Service Portal, Categories are often referred to as Services. Categories serve the same purpose as Services in which Self Service Portal content is organized. Categories are at the top-level of a hierarchical structure that contain Categories, Topics and Forms. There is no limitation to the number of items that can be added in this organizational structure.
At the top level, Categories represent the grouping of specific services available to the user. Currently, it is not possible to add descriptions, links or media directly to Categories. If it is necessary to add additional information specific to categories, an initial Topic can be created to present Category information and/or content. The initial Topic can be named "General Overview", "Introduction" or any other appropriate title. Topics management is discussed further in the Topics Chapter.
The following diagram illustrates the organizational structure of Categories in relations to Topics and Forms.
Category administration is accessed through the Admin panel in the Category Section.
The Category admin page allows you to add, remove or modify Categories and Category details.
The Categories screen is opened by clicking on the Categories button in the Admin Panel.
Overview
The Category admin page can be accessed by selecting the Categories section in the Admin Panel.
The Category List page shows a list of all current Categories in the order that they are displayed in the Self Service Portal.
The Category admin page contains the following information and controls: Category List
Sequence : this selection list allows you to change the order of the Categories. Simply select another value from the drop-down to make the change. 1 is the top position, the highest number is the lowest position.
Category name: The list shows the Category by the name of the default language, as set in SSP 7
Category: General Settings
The General Settings tab contains the configuration setting for Categories.
The following are the available configuration options for Categories:
Current Icon: If an icon is uploaded before, it is shown here. This icon is used on the top left hand side of the Dashboard, next to the Welcome-text. Use the delete button ( delete ) to remove the existing image.
Upload New Icon: Use the browse button to browse for a new icon. This button will open the standard Browse window to locate the file, either on the PC or on the network, using mapped drives.
! Please ensure the new Icon has these measures: width: 58 - Height: 49. When the file is selected from the popup window, the full path will appear in the text box. Use the UPLOAD button to upload and use this new Icon. Browsing for the file will not succeed, it is required to click the UPLOAD button to transfer the file to the server and to be used on the Dashboard. Due to caching, it is possible that the new icon is not shown immediately.
Live on Application: When this box is checked, the Category will be shown to the Users of SSP 7. You can still define which Roles can see and use this Category. For details on providing Role access to Categories see Access Rights section in user Access Control.
Shortcut on Dashboard: When this box is checked, the Category will appear on the Quick Access to Services-panel of the Dashboard. The order on the panel itself follows the main order of categories, as set on the Category list page.
Collapsed on New Requests: When this box is checked, the Category will be closed when users enter the page 'New Requests'. If the box is un-checked, the Category will be open, showing all Topics inside directly, without the need for the user to click to expand it.
Title English : Enter the Title for the Category.
Title Français : Enter the French Title here. If left empty, the text of the default language will be shown. More or fewer input fields can be shown, depending on the number of preset languages for SSP 7.
Use the SAVE button to save the changes and remain on this screen, or use the OK button to save your changes and return to the Overview screen, or use the CANCEL button to discard any changes.
Creating and Activating a new Category
Categories can be added to the Self Service Portal as needed through the Admin panel of the Self Service Portal. The following procedure details the addition of a new Category.
Creating a new Category
Select the Categories section of the Admin panel.
Enter a Title for the new Category. If multiple languages are installed, enter the translated Title for each language.
Live on application: when ticked, the Category will be shown on the dashboard. This will make the Category available in the Self Service Portal list of Categories according to the order it is placed in the Category list.
Shortcut on Dashboard: when ticked, the Category will be added to the Access Service panel of the Dashboard.
Collapsed on New Requests: when ticked, the Category will be shown on New Requests page.
Select a new icon for the category. Before selecting an icon, you must click Update to save the new Category.
Upload the selected Icon. To upload a new icon use the browse button and navigate to the location of the new icon. Please ensure the new Icon has these measures: width: 58 - Height: 49. When the file is selected from the popup window, the full path will appear in the text box.
Click on the UPLOAD-button to upload and activate the Icon. Simply Browsing for the file will not succeed, it is required to click the UPLOAD button to transfer the file to the server and to be used on the Dashboard. Due to caching, it is possible that the new icon is not shown immediately.
8. Click Update to save the settings.
Authorizing
Categories are authorized through Roles. For details on providing role access to categories see Access Rights section in user Access Control.
(De)Activating
Following the creation and authorization of Categories they must be activated to be available in the Self Service Portal. Categories that are no longer required can be deactivated following a similar procedure. Activation of new categories will subsequently make accessible the contents added to the Category. Deactivation of a Category will remove user access to all contents of the Category.
Activating a Category
Select the Categories section of the Admin panel.
Find the Category to be activated from the Category list and click on the Edit button in the Action column.
Activate the Category for New Requests: Find the option Live on application and check the checkbox. This will make the Category available in the Self Service Portal list of Categories according to the order it is placed in the Category list.
Add the Category as a shortcut on the Dashboard: Find the option Shortcut on Dashboard and check the checkbox. The Category will now be added to the Access Service panel of the Dashboard.
Click Update to save the settings. The changes will take effect immediately.
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