RFC Overview
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Overview
Inline with ITIL standards, RFC's have now been included in versaSRS as an individual component separate from Cases or Problems. An RFC is defined as "a formal request for the implementation of a Change".
RFC records can be created by selecting the New Item icon on the Navigation Header and RFC from the listed choices.
An RFC has a required set of fields and a number of possible actions that can be performed. When creating a new RFC, the mandatory fields (denoted by a *) must be entered before the RFC can be logged. RFC's can be edited at any time.
For Users to be able to create new or edit existing RFC's they need to be assigned a Security Profile with the correct level of access.
NOTE: It is possible to change the default labels for the visible fields and the drop-down list values that are available within the RFC Tabs. Due to this those in your system may differ from those shown below.
Details
This tab is where the primary information about the RFC is contained and the categorisations set.
The fields/controls available in the Details tab are as follows:
Field | Description |
---|---|
Issue * | The issue reported by the customer |
Details | A detailed description of the issue raised |
Logged By | This field is automatically populated by the application with the details of the User who originally logged the RFC |
RFC Type | The Type of RFC, selected from the drop-down list options |
Received By | The method by which the RFC was received (e.g. internally reported), populated from the drop-down list options |
Team * | The Team the RFC is to be assigned to, selected from available Teams in the drop-down list |
Skill Group | The Skill Group the RFC is to be assigned to, selected from available Skill Groups in the drop-down list |
Owner | The User the RFC is to be assigned to, selected from available Users in the drop-down list |
Urgency | The Urgency of the RFC, selected from the drop-down list |
Risk | The Risk of the RFC, selected from the drop-down list |
Priority * | The Priority to be given to this RFC (sets the required response/resolution time), selected from the available drop-down list options |
Key 1 | The primary sorting Key for the RFC, selected from the available drop-down list options |
Key 2 | The secondary sorting Key for the RFC, selected from the available drop-down list options |
Key 3 | The tertiary sorting Key for the RFC, selected from the available drop-down list options |
Due Date * | The date the RFC is due to be completed |
Estimated Solution Date | An estimated solution date, may be earlier or later than above |
Product Type | The Product Type related to the RFC, selected from the available drop-down list options |
Product | The Product related to the RFC, selected from the available drop-down list options |
Impact | Specifies the severity of the impact of the RFC, selected from the available drop-down list options |
Service Area | The Service Area to which the RFC relates, selected from the available drop-down list options |
Symptom Code | Specifies the type of symptom related to the RFC, selected from the available drop-down list options |
Cause Code | Specified the cause related to the RFC, selected from the available drop-down list options |
The icon functionality available is as follows:
Icon | Description |
---|---|
Queue Work Load | Shows the current work load (amount of RFC's assigned) for each User in the Team |
Watchers | Shows the current Watchers assigned to the RFC |
Access Rights | Deny/Grant access to the Record for specific Users that are in the Team |
Knowledgebase Search | Automatically searches the Knowledgebase for articles that match the selected Key Set |
Calendar | Allows you to set/change the Due Date and Est. Soln Date |
For information about the icons available on the RFC Toolbar please click here.
There are also custom fields which are hidden and can be displayed via the "Expand for more options" arrow next to the Logged By field.
These fields can be used to store additional data, making them easy to report on using the Reporting Dashboard.
Client Details
This tab contains the Client Details of the Primary and Secondary Requestors for the RFC. These details can be selected from the versaCRM and all available fields auto-filled.
The fields in the Client Details tab are as follows:
Field | Description |
---|---|
Company | The Company that the Requestor is from |
Job Title | The job title of the Requestor |
First Name * | The Requestors first name |
Last Name * | The Requestors surname |
Email * | The Requestors email address |
Phone | The Requestors phone number |
Division | The Requestors division within the Company |
Department | The Requestors department within the Company |
Location | The Requestors location |
Computer | The name of the Requestors computer |
Username | This field relates to the VIPTag and VIPColor Application Property fields in the Global Settings. When the VIPTag and VIPColor fields are defined in the Global Settings, and the VIPTag text is entered into the Username field of the RFC, the Requestors name will appear bold and coloured in the RFC listing. |
The icon functionality available is as follows:
Icon | Description |
---|---|
Add Contact | If the Primary Requestor is not a known versaCRM Contact this icon will be displayed allowing you to quickly create a versaCRM Contact record for them |
Browse Contacts | Brings up the Address Book allowing you to search for and select the Requestor automatically inputting all relevant fields |
Copy Requestor | Copies the Primary Requestor details to the Secondary Requestor details or vice versa |
Clear Information | Removes all information from the Requestor fields |
Go to Organisation | If the Company field contains an existing versaCRM Organisation clicking this icon will take you directly to the record |
Billable Times | Displays calculated overview of the current Billable totals for all RFC's belonging to the Organisation for the current Year/Month/Week |
Go to Contact | Takes you directly to the Requestors versaCRM Contact record |
Assessment
This tab is for Assessment purposes and allows the recording of key factors related to the RFC.
The fields in the Assessment tab are as follows:
Field | Description |
---|---|
Plan Start | This field records the planned start date and time related to the RFC |
Plan End | This field records the planned end date and time related to the RFC |
Estimated Time | The estimated time for the RFC |
Estimated Cost | The estimated cost for the RFC |
Actual Start | This field records the actual start date and time related to the RFC |
Actual End | This field allows entry of the Business Impact Analysis (BIA) related to the RFC |
Actual Time | The actual time spent on the RFC |
Actual Cost | The actual cost for the RFC |
Business Impact Analysis | This field allows entry of the Business Impact Analysis (BIA) related to the RFC |
Productivity Loss | This field allows entry of the Productivity Loss related to the RFC |
Technical Resources | This field allows entry for the Technical Resources relevant to the RFC |
Justification
This tab is where the Justification for the RFC is recorded.
The fields in the Justification tab are as follows:
Field | Description |
---|---|
Justification Code | The category of the Justification for the RFC |
Justification | Text field allowing entry of the details for the Justification of the RFC |
PIR
This tab contains the PIR (Post Implementation Review) of the RFC. This allows a PIR to be entered and viewed easily by Users.
The fields in the PIR tab are as follows:
Fields | Description |
---|---|
Post Implementation Review | Text field that allows the PIR (Post Implementation Review) of the RFC to be entered |
Children
This tab contains the list of RFC's which have been made a Child or Parent of the RFC.
Double clicking the record will take you to the Parent/Child RFC. A Parent/Child link can be created by right-clicking on the Parent Record listing and selecting Tools >> Link to Child from the menu.
Links
This tab allows the creation of a link between RFC's, Cases, and Problems as well as showing the current links already established.
Unlike a Child/Parent relationship a Link does not have to be of the same record type (i.e. Case, Problem, RFC) and is just a connection between two or more entities with no implied hierarchy.
The fields/controls in the Links tab are as follows:
Field/Control | Description |
---|---|
Page left and right arrows | Changes page if the number of links on the RFC require multiple pages to display |
Record Type drop-down | The type of Record that is to be added (i.e. Case, Problem, RFC) |
Record ID field | Text field to input the numeric ID of the Record that is to be linked to the RFC |
Add button | Adds the Record that has been specified in the previous two fields |
Remove button | Removes the selected linked Record from the RFC |
Forms
This tab maintains a record of all Forms that have been associated with the RFC.
The controls in the Forms tab are as follows:
Control | Description |
---|---|
Refresh button | Refreshes the page showing the most up to date display of the Forms within the RFC |
Select button | Allows selection of a Form to add to the RFC |
Delete button | Removes the Form from the RFC |
Assets
This tab allows the linking of an Asset to an RFC as well as showing the current Assets that are already linked.
The fields/controls in the Assets tab are as follows.
Field/Control | Description |
---|---|
Page left and right arrows | Changes page if the number of Assets on the RFC requires multiple pages to display |
Asset ID drop-down | This drop-down list allows the selection of the Asset reference type that will be used to link the Asset |
Asset ID field | Text field to input the numeric ID of the Asset that is to be linked to the RFC |
Add button | When the ID has been entered the User can click Add to link the Asset to the RFC |
Search button | This can be used to search for Assets that have been created in the system |
Remove button | Removes the Asset from the RFC |
Tasks
This tab allows the creation of Tasks as well as listing all of the Tasks that have already been created for an RFC.
The controls in the Tasks tab are as follows:
Control | Description |
---|---|
Timeline | Clicking this will display a timeline of the Tasks against the RFC |
Workflow | Allows Tasks to be added as Workflow Tasks, meaning that they are sequential Tasks that need to be completed in order |
New button | Allows creation of a new Task to add to the RFC |
Refresh button | Refreshes the page showing the most up to date display of the Tasks in the RFC |
Billing
This tab allows Billing information to be entered. Billing information can only be edited when performing an RFC Update.
The fields/controls in the Billing tab are as follows:
Field/Control | Description |
---|---|
Company | This drop-down allows the selection of the Primary or Secondary Requestor to be used as the Company to which the billing applies |
No Charge checkbox | Specified if work done on the RFC is not to be charged to the Company |
No of Transactions | Allows the User to enter the number of transactions that occur on the RFC |
Estimate | Allows the User to enter an estimated time for resolution |
Time Billed | Allows the User to enter the actual time that will be billed for a single transaction |
Set as Cumulative checkbox | If checked, will set the Time Billed row as the Cumulative amount |
Cumulative | Sums up the total amount of time worked on the RFC |
Audit Log Cumulative | Aggregates the Log Time for Updates to the RFC |
$ Charge | Specifies the amount charged for the RFC |
$ Quote | Specifies the quote given for the RFC |
Set As Charge | Sets the $ Quote amount to be the $ Charge amount |
Ref. Num | The billing reference number related to the RFC |
Notes | Allows the User to enter plain text notes |
Approvals
This tab is where a Policy can be applied to an RFC. Policies require approval and are used to direct decisions and to ensure consistent and appropriate development and implementation. See Manage RFC Policy for details on creating Policies.
The fields/controls in the Approvals tab are as follows:
Field/Control | Description |
---|---|
Start Approval button | Starts the approval process after the policy has been applied |
Apply Policy button | Applies a Policy to an RFC based on the fields selected in RFC Details and the corresponding RFC Policy specified in the Manage RFC Policy section |
Refresh button | Refreshes the Approval details showing the most up to date information |
Policy Name | The name of the Policy that has been applied to the RFC |
Decision Due Date | Specifies the Due Date for the Approval decision based on the Policy |
Policy Type | The type of policy that has been applied |
Decision Completed | Specifies the date when the when the Approval Decision is completed |
Approval Status | The status of the Approval |
Min No. Approvers | Specifies the minimum number of Approvers before the RFC can go ahead |
Approver Log | Shows the Approver Log which includes the fields; LogID, Approver, Status, Mandatory, Last Updated, Actions |
Approver History | Shows the Approver History which includes the fields; Date/Time, Action By, Type of Action, Subject, From, To, CC, BCC, Details |
Summary
This tab shows the Printer Friendly view and is a summary of the main details and correspondence for the RFC.
The controls in the Summary tab are as follows:
Control | Description |
---|---|
Show comments checkbox | If checked, will display Comments made within the RFC in the Summary view |
Show confidential comments checkbox | If checked, will display Confidential Comments made within the RFC in the Summary view |
Show correspondence history checkbox | If checked, will display the Correspondence History (email correspondence) within the RFC in the Summary view |
Show Telephone Calls And Meetings | If checked, will display the Telephone Calls and Meetings within the RFC in the Summary view |
Refresh button | Refreshes the page to display the most up to date representation of the Summary view. If checking or unchecking the display options you need to click Refresh to see the change |
Print button | Prints the Summary view |
Show All button | Checks all of the display option fields and refreshes the page |
History
This tab contains the Audit history of the RFC.
There are five tabs within the History tab which are as follows:
Tab | Description |
---|---|
History | This tab shows all of the available audit log history for the RFC |
Comments History | This tab shows the audit log history for Comments only |
Correspondence History | This tab shows the audit log history for Correspondence only |
Alert History | This tab shows the audit log history for Alerts (i.e. Due Date Alert) only |
Attachments | This tab shows all of the attachments on the RFC |