Businesses often use various external applications to perform day-to-day repetitive actions or actions that are unique to their business needs. What if I told you that you could run code on the CRM server to perform and automate these actions?
Yes, you heard right. Using Vtiger's server-side scripting feature, you can write and execute code on the Vtiger server to perform these functions.
Server-side scripting allows you to create your special database own code and automate tasks without having to change the core CRM code.
Let's dig into this.
Defining Server Scripts and Tasks in Vtiger CRM
Let's talk about Vtiger server scripts first.
Server-side scripting is a technique used in web development where the server executes and processes scripts or commands and then generates a response that is sent back to the client or user's web browser. This is in contrast to client-side scripting, where scripts are executed directly in the user's web browser.
Server scripts are available in Vtiger Workflows and Setup Certificates . You can run a script to perform any action by selecting the Server Script option in the Actions tab.
Server Script in Workflows
Keep in mind that the information about potential customers in your CRM is limited to just their name, contact details, and email addresses, making it difficult to run targeted campaigns. To get detailed information like company names and social profiles, you’ll usually have to spend a significant amount of time on manual research.
However, by writing a server-side script, you can automate the process of filling lead records with missing information from external sources, thereby enriching the lead. This approach can save time and simplify the process of collecting valuable data.
Similarly, you can run code on the server to validate email addresses, update a contact's credit score, etc.
Server Script in Assertions
You can also use server scripts to automate the approval process. For example, after an invoice is created, you can write code to send a message to your manager’s chat app, such as Google Chat or Telegram, asking for approval. That way, your manager will automatically receive a notification as soon as the invoice is created, making the approval process more efficient.
So what are server jobs?
Server jobs in Vtiger are a set of server-side commands that are executed at scheduled intervals. The frequency of time can be hourly, weekly or daily. Suppose you want to update the stock available in the data warehouse every day at 6:30. You can write a code and the action will be triggered at the specified time.
Difference between VTAP and Server Scripts
As someone who has been following Vtiger CRM for a long time, you might be wondering why there is a need for server-side scripting when there is already a low-code platform called VTAP available.
VTAP is a no-code platform that allows users to create their own business processes without writing code. It is a client-side scripting software where code is written and executed in the user's browser to improve the user experience and interactivity of a website.
Therefore, the main difference between server-side and client-side scripting is that the former runs on the server and the latter on the client.
Benefits of Server Scripts and Server Jobs
Some of the key benefits of using server-side scripts and tasks in Vtiger are:
1) Automation: Server-side scripting allows you to automate tasks that involve multiple steps or interactions with other systems. You can script routine activities and save a lot of time. This can reduce the risk of errors compared to performing tasks manually.
With server jobs, you can schedule specific actions to be performed automatically, ensuring that important actions are completed on time.
2) Custom Manufacturing: Write custom code and extend the functionality of the CRM feature specific to your business. You can write custom codes to understand the lifetime value of a customer based on purchase history or behavior, change the way records are displayed in the user interface (UI), etc. This level of customization can allow you to tailor workflows to make the process easier.
3) Security: Server-side scripting can be more secure than client-side scripting. This is because the code runs on the server, not the client's computer, so users cannot easily view or change it.
Read our Server-Side Scripting and Tasks User Guide to learn more about scripting, helper methods, and use cases.
So, you want to optimize your business processes, reduce manual labor and increase efficiency?
