Rules Matrix

The Rules Matrix is used to evaluate business rules. Different matrices with custom columns can be produced. Then, the matrix rows are populated. These rows can be evaluated using the MatrixHandler. The row with the highest hit rate is used as the result row (it doesn't have to be a complete match).

Creating a Matrix

A matrix can be created in the Rules matrix panel under administration. The role of rules administrator is required in order to set up a matrix. A rules matrix can be created by clicking on the 'Create Rules Matrix'.

Reference	Attribute	Description
1	Create Rules Matrix	The button 'Create Rules Matrix' will open up a detailed view for a 'New rules matrix' in order to be enabled to save a new matrix.

A detailed view opens on the right side of the screen in order to set the attributes for the new rules matrix. The mandatory fields need to be filled and saved.

Reference	Attribute	Description
2	Name	Mandatory Field for describing the rules matrix.
3	Owner	Mandatory drop-down for setting the owner of the rules matrix.
4	Add Columns	The button 'Add Columns' will configure the new rules matrix. Additional information will be given under the following section 'Define Columns'.
5	Save	The button 'Save' will save the changes to the rules matrix and make it available for usage.

Define Columns

Once a matrix is created columns need to be added. Every column needs a name and a column type. A column type defines the type of content. Normal column types are used for evaluation, and “result” column types are used only for results and are not considered in the evaluation. The different column are:

Column type	Description
String	A normal character string where text can be defined.
Result String	Result column - a normal character string where text can be defined.
Long	A column for integer values.
Result Long	Result column for integer values.
Float	A column for floating decimal values.
Result Float	Result column for floating decimal values.
Boolean	A column for boolean (true/false) values.
Result Boolean	Result column for boolean (true/false) values.
Identity	A column for users present in the system that can be chosen.
Result Identity	Result column for users present in the system that can be chosen.
Group	A column for groups present in the system that can be chosen.
Result Group	Result column for groups present in the system that can be chosen.

The set columns are displayed in the matrix table of the selected rules matrix.

Reference	Attribute	Description
6	Archive selected matrices	Single or multiple matrices can be archived by clicking the 'Archive selected matrices' button. A pop-up will ask for confirmation. Archived matrices can not be reactivated via front end. Use this feature with caution.
7	Download Matrix	A selected matrix can be exported with the 'Download Matrix' button. A pup-up will appear and the user can choose between three encoding types. The file will be saved in the csv format.
8	Matrix table	The matrix table displays all added columns of a matrix including the column name, the column type, allowed wildcards and the option to delete a specific column. Existing columns can be altered by clicking onto the name of a column.
9	Delete	The 'Delete' button will remove a matrix from the rules matrix view. A pup-up will ask for confirmation. Once deleted a matrix can not be restored.
10	Save	All changes to a matrix need to be saved to take effect. This is true for newly create and existing matrices.

In order to add columns to the matrix click on the 'Add Columns' button and a pup-up will appear.

Reference	Attribute	Description
11	New column	After clicking the 'Add Columns' button a pop-up will appear and enable the user to define a new column.
12	Column name	Mandatory field for naming a column.
13	Column type	Mandatory field to set the type of the column via a drop-down selection. The different types are explained in the table below.
14	Allow wildcards	Select box when set allows the use of wildcards.

Populating the Matrix

The following image shows an already-populated matrix. In this view, it is possible to edit the matrix, to add new lines, and to delete lines.

Reference	Attribute	Description
15	Simulation of matrix	The button 'Simulation of matrix' offers the option to test the set rules immediately.
16	Quick filter of matrix column(s)	The filter enables the user to display specific results for a set rule.
17	Archive record	The button 'Archive record' will remove the selected rule from the front-end. A pop-up will require confirmation as once removed entries can not be recovered.
18	Add Rule	The 'Add Rule' button will enable the user to add additional lines to the matrix.

If one wants to add a new line, a pop-up appears. Various fields may be shown depending on the column type. For example, For string, a simple box appears. In identity, a list of all users is displayed. A list populated with either true or false is displayed when using Boolean. If an asterisk '*' is selected, this is treated as a wildcard and any value will be used for matching.

Use the Matrix per ActionHandler

The use of the matrix with the MatrixHandler is described here: MatrixHandler

Evaluation Algorithm

In principle, all of the cells within the matrix will be evaluated individually. If a perfect match is found within a column, three points are given. For a partial match in the character chain (i.e. is AR is written in the rule, but AR-01 is found in the formula/variable), then two points are given. For the Wildcard *, one-point is allocated.The cells with the highest point values deliver the results. If multiple cells with the same point value exist, then the result is delivered by the uppermost cell.

Evaluation Examples

Search Value 1	Search Value 2	Search Value 3	Search Value 4
Munich	true	1000	HR, Backoffice, IT, Supervisor
Munich	false	700	HR, IT
Munich	true	93000	HR, IT
San Francisco	true	100000	IT
San Francisco	true	52	Backoffice, IT
San Francisco	false	80040	IT
Luzern	false	*	HR
Luzern	*	7	Backoffice, IT
Bern	true	2000	HR, Supervisor
Wien	true	*	Supervisor
Wien	false	5631	Supervisor
Wien	true	*	Backoffice
Berlin	*	89	Supervisor