Description:

The Convert UTC Date Times to User Time Zone step enables a FlowWright workflow to convert one or more UTC date and time values into the time zone configured for a specific FlowWright user.

Enterprise workflows commonly store all timestamps in UTC to maintain consistency across servers, databases, and integrations. However, users typically expect workflow dates and times to be displayed according to their own regional settings. Instead of requiring the workflow designer to manually specify a destination time zone, this step automatically determines the user's configured time zone and converts the supplied UTC values accordingly.

The step accepts a FlowWright user identifier and a configurable mapping of UTC date/time values to workflow variables or global variables. During execution, each UTC value is converted into the selected user's configured time zone and written to the corresponding variable or global variable.

Typical uses include:

• Displaying workflow due dates for individual users
• Localizing approval timestamps
• Preparing personalized email notifications
• Displaying task assignment times
• Presenting audit history in the user's local time
• Localizing dashboard information
• Displaying meeting schedules
• Personalizing workflow reports

This step enables organizations to maintain UTC as the standard storage format while automatically presenting localized dates and times based on each user's configured time zone.

Usage:

The Convert UTC Date Times to User Time Zone step is typically used immediately before presenting workflow information to a specific user through forms, dashboards, emails, notifications, or reports.

During execution:

1. Read the configured user identifier.
2. Retrieve the user's configured time zone.
3. Read the configured UTC date/time mappings.
4. Convert each UTC date/time value into the user's local time zone.
5. Store each converted value in the configured workflow variables or global variables.
6. Continue workflow execution through either the True or False return path.

A typical workflow might look like this:

Typical workflow scenarios include:

• Displaying task due dates for individual users
• Personalizing approval notifications
• Localizing workflow dashboards
• Displaying process history
• Preparing user-specific reports
• Showing localized appointment schedules
• Displaying SLA deadlines
• Personalizing reminder emails

Example:

Let’s build and execute the “clsUTCToUserTimeZoneDef” example.

• Create a new process definition named “clsUTCToUserTimeZoneDef” and open it in designer mode. 
• Drag the “clsUTCToUserTimeZone” step to the canvas
• Connect the “Start” and “clsUTCToUserTimeZone” steps, as shown above. 
• Define a variable or a global to store the result.
• Click the “clsUTCToUserTimeZone” step to configure its “Required” properties. Provide a step name. Click the button to enter a single User ID. Click the button to enter multiple variable or global UTC date-time values. Click the Save button. Note: Click the "AI Predict" button for the Copilot to add new process steps that match your process description. 
   

• Click the button to enter a single User ID. A pop-up window appears for configuration. Search for the user by the first three letters of the name. Use the navigation keys to “Select or Unselect” items in the list on the right. You may also use a variable reference with a User's GUID ID value. Click the Save button.

• For example, the selected User has the EEST time zone. Navigate to the Administration > User Management page and search for the user. Double-click the row to view the information below.  

• Click the button to enter a UTC date and time. A pop-up window appears for configuration. Please enter the UTC date and time in the following format. This date and time value is converted to the user's time zone and stored in the variable or global reference. 

• The “Logging” configuration is necessary for documentation and also measures workflow progress and percent complete. This is achieved by configuring the step state and percent fields individually, as shown below. Configure the “Logging” using the following properties.

• Save the process definition, create a new instance, and execute it. Render the process instance. Click the process step to view its properties. The step should convert the UTC date-time value to the User's time zone. In the example, the UTC date-time value “2024-06-11T17:05:00” is converted to “2024-06-11T20:05:00” in the EEST time zone. 

Tips:

• Store workflow timestamps in UTC and convert them only when presenting information to users.
• Ensure that each user has an appropriate time zone configured in FlowWright.
• Use the UTC mapping configuration to convert multiple timestamps during a single workflow execution.
• Reuse the converted values throughout the workflow instead of repeatedly performing conversions.
• Route the False execution path to logging and notification activities for easier troubleshooting.
• Combine this step with Convert Date Time with Time Zone to UTC, Convert UTC Date Times to Selected Time Zone, email notifications, dashboards, reports, and workflow forms to provide a consistent global user experience.

Notes:

• The Provide User ID property is required.
• The Select UTC Date/Times and Variables/Globals property is required.
• The destination time zone is determined automatically from the specified user's FlowWright profile.
• Multiple UTC values can be converted during a single execution using the configured mapping.
• Converted local date/time values are stored in the mapped workflow variables or global variables.
• The original UTC values remain unchanged.
• Both the True and False return paths should be implemented for complete workflow handling.
• This step is particularly useful in multi-region deployments where users work in different time zones.

Convert UTC Date Times to User Time Zone vs. Convert UTC Date Times to Selected Time Zone:

Although both workflow steps convert UTC timestamps into local time, they determine the destination time zone differently.

As a general guideline:

• Use Convert UTC Date Times to User Time Zone when workflows need to display dates and times according to an individual user's configured regional settings.
• Use Convert UTC Date Times to Selected Time Zone when workflows need all converted timestamps to use a specific predefined time zone regardless of the user viewing the information.

Definition Sample:

You may download the sample workflow definition from the link provided and import it into your FlowWright environment.

Note: Verify and complete any missing configuration after importing the sample, including:

• User identifier
• UTC date/time and variable/global mappings
• User time zone configuration
• Success and failure workflow branches

After verifying the configuration, save and publish the workflow before execution.

Click here to download the sample file.