Questions created by the RefTracker API

The RefTracker API can be used to create new questions – typically it is used to create questions from batches of questions such as those being imported from legacy systems, but it can also be used to automatically pass details of questions received into other computer systems or web pages, into RefTracker.

So that you can quickly recognise questions sent from another computer system, the system sets the Status of the question to Unallocated(imported), and hyperlinks that status to the Correspondence tab. The History screen also clearly shows that the question was imported from another RefTracker system by showing a Record imported event that will also show the system that the question came from.

The RefTracker API addQuestion function ensures that only data that will create a valid question is accepted from the sending system.  As with all RefTracker questions the addQuestion process specifies a Request form so that data can be placed into appropriate matching fields where possible.  Where a field cannot to matched, the information for that field is placed in the “Other imported data” field.  Full details of the sending organisation, like contact details for the staff member sending the question, will be in the “Other imported data” field in the Details screen.  If the incoming information creates a valid question but does not fill all mandatory fields, the question is said to be “incomplete” and is highlighted by a construction icon  in the Open questions screen.  The incomplete fields will be indicated by a validation message in any of the Change, Answer, Third party, Close without client contact or Copy screen that you visit.

More information about using the API to create a new question can be found under “addQuestion” in the RefTracker API     section of this manual.