Enable Automatic Email of Case Questionnaire & Scheduled Reminders

Learn how to configure your vault to allow you to set up reporter follow-up questionnaires and send them over email.

Last Updated

Note Beginning with 24R1 in April 2024 and for all subsequent releases, the new Vault Safety Help site is the official site for all Vault Safety Help content. This site reflects updates until the 23R3 release only. For the latest information, visit the new site.

About the Feature

Vault Safety can automatically send and track questionnaires and reminders to the primary reporter by email depending on the preconfigured settings for product, country, language, and watchlist. This feature was introduced in Vault Safety 20R3 and requires configuration to be made available.

The steps required to enable this feature depend on the Vault Safety template version your Vault was deployed from.

Vaults deployed from version 20R3 or later have some configuration already, such as security and certain page layouts. Follow the appropriate checklist to enable this feature, depending on your vault:

Vaults Deployed from 22R3 or Earlier

The following configuration to enable this feature is for Vaults initially deployed in 22R3 or an earlier release.

Update Constraints on Transmission Object

You must update the constraints on the Transmission object as follows:

  1. Go to Admin > Configuration > Objects > Transmission.
  2. In the Object Types tab, select the Correspondence (correspondence__v) heading.
  3. Select Organization (organization__v).
  4. Remove the Criteria VQL: id = {{this.case_version__vr.organization__v}} and then select Save.
  5. In the Transmission object, go to the Fields tab.
  6. Select Organization (organization__v).
  7. Remove the Default Value: case_version__vr.organization__v.
  8. Go to the Object Types tab and complete the following steps for the Distribution (distribution__v), Inbound Transmission (inbound_transmission__v), and Submission (submission__v) object types:
    1. Select an object type.
    2. Select the Organization field.
    3. Select Edit and then add the following Default Value: case_version__vr.organization__v
    4. Select Save.

Update the Inbox Item Page Layout

Update the Details section and add the Correspondence section to the Inbox Item page layout:

  1. Go to the Inbox Item Detail Page Layout in the Inbox Item object.
  2. Add the Correspondence Related Object Section with the following information:
    • Related Object: Transmission
    • Section Label: Correspondence
    • Section Name: transmissions1__c
    • Creation Option: Prevent record creation
    • Section Help: Inbox Item Correspondence are tracked in this section.
    • Criteria VQL: object_type__vr.api_name__v = 'correspondence__v'
    • Select Apply on Create.
    correspondence-section
    Correspondence Related Object Section on Inbox Item Page Layout
  3. Add the following columns to this Correspondence section:
    • Lifecycle State
    • Transmission Date
    • Due Date
    • Correspondence Method
    • Recipient (Person)
    • Recipient (User)
    • Destination Email
    • Reply-To
  4. Update the Inbound Transmission section to add the following Criteria VQL: object_type__vr.api_name__v != 'correspondence__v'

Update the Inbox Item Lifecycle

Update the Inbox Item Lifecycle with a new lifecycle state as well as new Entry and User Actions:

  1. Go to Object Lifecycles > Inbox Item Lifecycle.
  2. Create a new State with the following information:
    • State Label: Correspondence
    • State Name: correspondence_state__c
    • Status: Active
  3. Select the Correspondence state and add the following:
    1. Add the Entry Actions using the following information and image:
      1. Update field > Follow-Up Rule > 'invalid_case__v'
      2. Update field > Send Follow-Up > true
      correspondence-entry-actions
      Correspondence State Entry Actions
    2. Add a User Action using the following image:
      change-state-missing-info-received
      Change State to Missing Information Received User Action
  4. Select the New state and create a new User Action using the following image:
    change-state-to-correspondence
    Change State to Correspondence User Action

Vaults Deployed from 20R3 or Earlier

You must perform the following configuration to enable this feature on a vault that was initially deployed off of Vault Safety 20R3 or an earlier release.

Use the checklists to track your progress as you configure this feature.

Note Before you enable this feature, contact Veeva Support to turn on the VMC flag for PHI Protection on Person records. We recommend that you request this as soon as possible, as this flag cannot be turned on once records exist.

Configure Page Layouts

Manage page layouts from the Page Layouts tab on the appropriate object from Configuration > Objects.

Checklist Tasks
  • AER Page Layout

    Edit Page Layout

    Make the following changes to the page layout for the AER object type under the Case object:
    Section Settings
    Details Add the following fields:
    • Follow-Up Rule
    • Send Follow-Up
    Correspondence Add a Correspondence section with the following settings:
    • Name: Correspondence
    • Type: Related Object (Transmission)
    • Options:
      • Prevent Record Creation
      • Filter Related Objects by Type=Correspondence

    Add Page Validation Rule

    Add a validation rule so that if Send Follow-Up is True, Follow-Up Rule must not be blank.
  • Case Page Layout

    Edit Page Layout

    Make the following changes to Case Page Layout:
    Section Settings
    Details Add the following fields:
    • Follow-Up Rule
    • Send Follow-Up
    Correspondence Add a Correspondence section with the following settings:
    • Name: Correspondence
    • Type: Related Object (Transmission)
    • Options:
      • Prevent Record Creation
      • Filter Related Objects by Type=Correspondence

    Add Page Validation Rule

    Add a validation rule so that if Send Follow-Up is True, Follow-Up Rule must not be blank.
  • Watchlist Page Layout

    Add a Questionnaire Templates section to the Watchlist Page Layout with the following settings:

    • Name: Questionnaire Templates
    • Type: Related Documents
    • Columns:
      • Name
      • Doc Number
      • Country
      • Language
      • Lifecycle State
  • MedDRA Criteria Page Layout

    Add a Term Specific Questionnaire Templates section to the MedDRA Criteria Page Layout with the following settings:

    • Name: Term Specific Questionnaire Templates
    • Type: Related Documents
    • Columns:
      • Name
      • Doc Number
      • Country
      • Language
      • Lifecycle State

Activate the Reporter Notification for Followup Job

You must activate the Reporter Notification for Followup job.

Checklist Tasks
  • Activate the Job
    1. In Admin, go to Operations > Job Definitions.
    2. Select Reporter Notification for Followup.
    3. Select Edit.
    4. Change the Status field to Active.
    5. Select Save.

    Result

    The Reporter Notification for Followup job is active and available for system use in sending automated email questionnaires.

Update Lifecycles and Workflows

The following configuration is optional.

Checklist Tasks
  • (Optional) Template Document Lifecycle

    Manage document lifecycles from Configuration > Document Lifecycles.

    Consider the following recommendations for notification template document lifecycles:

    • Add a workflow to approve template documents.
    • Add security so that only certain groups can edit the template documents. There is no security by default.

      Consider adding a new user group, such as Administrators or Global Administrators, who can edit the template documents.
  • (Optional) Manual Correspondence Workflow

    Configure a workflow for Questionnaires that enter the Ready state for manual follow-ups.

    For example, you can configure this by adding an entry action for Type=Correspondence && Method=Manual.

    This workflow should ensure a user is notified when the questionnaire should be manually sent to the reporter if an email address is unavailable. Consider adding a step to capture the transmission date as well.

(Optional) Customize the Questionnaire Email Notification

Optionally, change the questionnaire notification message body per your business requirements. Note that only tokens in the default notification can be used.

Checklist Tasks

Vaults Deployed from 20R2 or Earlier

You must perform the following configuration to enable this feature on a vault that was initially deployed off of Vault Safety 20R2 or an earlier release.

Use the checklists to track your progress as you configure this feature.

Note Before you enable this feature, contact Veeva Support to turn on the VMC flag for PHI Protection on Person records. We recommend that you request this as soon as possible, as this flag cannot be turned on once records exist.

Update Security Profiles

Checklist Tasks
  • Grant Permissions
    1. Ensure that the appropriate user roles are granted permissions on the following new object types:
      • Correspondence object type under the Transmission object
      • Email Event object type under the Transmission Message object
    2. Grant field-level access to the new Case object fields.

Configure Page Layouts

Manage page layouts from the Page Layouts tab on the appropriate object from Configuration > Objects.

Checklist Tasks
  • AER Page Layout

    Edit Page Layout

    Make the following changes to the page layout for the AER object type under the Case object:
    Section Settings
    Details Add the following fields:
    • Follow-Up Rule
    • Send Follow-Up
    Reporters Add the following fields:
    • Reporter Email
    • Reporter Email Consent
    Correspondence Add a Correspondence section with the following settings:
    • Name: Correspondence
    • Type: Related Object (Transmission)
    • Options:
      • Prevent Record Creation
      • Filter Related Objects by Type=Correspondence

    Add Page Validation Rule

    Add a validation rule so that if Send Follow-Up is True, Follow-Up Rule must not be blank.
  • Case Page Layout

    Edit Page Layout

    Make the following changes to Case Page Layout:
    Section Settings
    Details Add the following fields:
    • Follow-Up Rule
    • Send Follow-Up
    Correspondence Add a Correspondence section with the following settings:
    • Name: Correspondence
    • Type: Related Object (Transmission)
    • Options:
      • Prevent Record Creation
      • Filter Related Objects by Type=Correspondence

    Add Page Validation Rule

    Add a validation rule so that if Send Follow-Up is True, Follow-Up Rule must not be blank.
  • Correspondence Page Layout

    Edit Page Layout

    Configure a page layout for the Correspondence object type under the Transmission object.

    We recommend the following settings for the Correspondence page layout:

    Section Settings
    Details
    • Section Type: Detail Form
    • Section Layout: One Column
    • Fields:
      • Case
      • Recipient (Case Contact)
      • Recipient (Person)
      • Correspondence Method
      • Destination Email
      • Reply-to
      • Case Identifier
      • Organization
      • Due Date
      • Transmission Date
    Documents
    • Section Type: Related Documents
    • Referencing Field: Transmission
    Correspondence Events
    • Section Type: Related Object(Transmission message)
    • Label: Correspondence Events
    • Options: Prevent Record Creation
    • Columns:
      • Name
      • Event Type
      • Event Time
    Workflow Timeline Default Settings
    eSignature Default Settings
    System
    • Section Layout: Two Column
    • Column 1:
      • Last Modified By
      • Last Modified Date
      • Lifecycle
    • Column 2:
      • Created By
      • Created Date
      • Lifecycle State
      • Status
    Attachments Default Settings

    Add Page Layout Rule

    Add the following layout rule to the Correspondence page layout:

    • Label: Hide Email Addresses
    • Name: hide_email_addresses__c
    • Fields to Hide:
      • Destination Email
      • Reply-to
    • Expression: correspondence_method_c != 'email_c'
  • Transmission Message Page Layout

    Configure a page layout for the Email Event object type under the Transmission Message object.

    We recommend the following settings for the Email Event page layout:

    Section Settings
    Details
    • Section Type: Detail Form
    • Section Layout: One Column
    • Fields:
      • Name
      • Transmission
      • Organization
      • Message Type
      • Event Type
      • Event Time
      • Body
    Attachments Default Settings
    Workflow Timeline Default Settings
    System
    • Section Layout: Two Column
    • Column 1:
      • Created By
      • Created Date
      • Lifecycle
    • Column 2:
      • Last Modified By
      • Last Modified Date
      • Lifecycle State
  • Reporter Case Contact Page Layout

    Add the following fields to the page layout for the Reporter object type under the Case Contact object:

    • Reporter Email
    • Reporter Email Consent
  • Follow-Up Rule Page Layout

    Adjust the columns in the Related Documents section to add the following columns:

    • Products
    • Countries
    • Language
    Follow-Up Rule Documents Columns
    Follow-Up Rule Documents Columns
  • Watchlist Page Layout

    Add a Questionnaire Templates section to the Watchlist Page Layout with the following settings:

    • Name: Questionnaire Templates
    • Type: Related Documents
    • Columns:
      • Name
      • Doc Number
      • Country
      • Language
      • Lifecycle State
  • MedDRA Criteria Page Layout

    Add a Term Specific Questionnaire Templates section to the MedDRA Criteria Page Layout with the following settings:

    • Name: Term Specific Questionnaire Templates
    • Type: Related Documents
    • Columns:
      • Name
      • Doc Number
      • Country
      • Language
      • Lifecycle State

Configure Documents

Manage document types from Configuration > Document Types.

Checklist Tasks
  • Activate the Template Document Type
    1. Activate the Template (template__v) document type.
    2. (Optional) Consider re-ordering the document fields to better suit your business process.
  • Delete the Case Correspondence Document Type

    Delete the Case > Correspondence (correspondence__c) document type.

    If existing documents use this document type, either reclassify those documents or inactivate the Correspondence (correspondence__c) document type.
  • (Optional) Template Document Lifecycle

    Manage document lifecycles from Configuration > Document Lifecycles.

    Consider the following recommendations for notification template document lifecycles:

    • Add a workflow to approve template documents.
    • Add security so that only certain groups can edit the template documents. There is no security by default.

      Consider adding a new user group, such as Administrators or Global Administrators, who can edit the template documents.

Update Object Lifecycles and Workflows

Manage object lifecycles from Configuration > Object Lifecycles.

Checklist Tasks
  • Transmission Lifecycle

    We recommend the following changes to your Transmission object lifecycle:

    • Add a workflow or State Change action to transition to the Complete State when a reply has been received.
      This action should be added to the Sent and Opened States if Type = Correspondence.
    • Add security to the new states:
      • Sent
      • Error
      • Ready
  • (Optional) Manual Correspondence Workflow

    Configure a workflow for Questionnaires that enter the Ready state for manual follow-ups.

    For example, you can configure this by adding an entry action for Type=Correspondence && Method=Manual.

    This workflow should ensure a user is notified when the questionnaire should be manually sent to the reporter if an email address is unavailable. Consider adding a step to capture the transmission date as well.

Activate the Reporter Notification for Followup Job

You must activate the Reporter Notification for Followup job.

Checklist Tasks
  • Activate the Job
    1. In Admin, go to Operations > Job Definitions.
    2. Select Reporter Notification for Followup.
    3. Select Edit.
    4. Change the Status field to Active.
    5. Select Save.

    Result

    The Reporter Notification for Followup job is active and available for system use in sending automated email questionnaires.

(Optional) Customize the Questionnaire Email Notification

Optionally, change the questionnaire notification message body per your business requirements. Note that only tokens in the default notification can be used.

Checklist Tasks

Next Steps: Add Email Questionnaires and Follow-Up Rules

Once you have upgraded your vault’s configuration to make this feature available, you can configure the questionnaire template document and follow-up rules. Set Up Scheduled Follow-Up Questionnaire Emails provides instructions.