Input Collector user input control

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Input Collector user input control

    The Input Collector control is designed to gather user data for use by Now Assist during conversations that utilize large language model (LLM) topic discovery. It enables ServiceNow customers to capture multiple user inputs efficiently within conversational flows, enhancing automated support and interaction experiences.

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    Key Features

    • Availability: The Input Collector is exclusively available for topics using LLM discovery.
    • Input Capacity: It can hold up to 5 LLM user input nodes (excluding other Input Collector nodes). To collect more inputs, customers can sequence multiple Input Collector nodes or adjust the com.glide.cs.vainputcollectormaxnodes system property.
    • Node Management: Users can reorder input nodes easily via drag-and-drop on the canvas or by using up/down arrows in the table view. Nodes can be added, removed, or moved between Input Collectors.
    • Flow Action Properties:
      • Node Name: Identifies the node within the topic flow.
      • Advanced Instructions: Allows adding supplemental LLM instructions such as data formats, restrictions, or default values via plain language, scripts, or condition definitions.
      • Confirmation Message: When enabled (default), presents a summary of collected inputs at conversation end, allowing users to confirm or revise their responses.
      • Conditional Display and Skip: Nodes can be conditionally shown or made skippable using no-code conditions or low-code scripts, enhancing conversational flexibility.

    Channel Support

    Input Collector supports LLM and NLU/keyword recognition variably across channels:

    • Supported with LLM and NLU: Microsoft Teams
    • Supported with NLU only: Web UI, Mobile UI, Now Assist panel
    • Supported with LLM only: SMS Twilio, WhatsApp
    • Not supported: Slack, Workplace, Facebook Messenger, LINE, Apple Messages for Business, Alexa (Voice)

    This channel information helps customers plan where Input Collector can be effectively deployed within their digital engagement platforms.

    Use the Input Collector control to gather data for use by Now Assist in conversations that use large language model (LLM) topic discovery.

    For an overview of the Input Collector from a user perspective, watch this video.

    Input Collector properties

    The Input Collector is only available for topics that use LLM discovery.

    The Input Collector can hold up to 5 of any of the LLM user inputs aside from another Input Collector. To collect more than 5 user inputs, place multiple Input Collector nodes in sequence or adjust the Value of the com.glide.cs.va_input_collector_max_nodes property in the System Properties [sys_properties] table.

    You can reorder nodes inside the Input Collector on both the canvas and table views. To reorder nodes on the canvas, select a given node inside the Input Collector and drag it up or down in the list. You can add or remove nodes from an Input Collector, or nodes between multiple Input Collectors, by selecting a node and dragging it into or out of an Input Collector node on the canvas. To reorder nodes in an Input Collector in the table view, select a given node in the list, then select the up or down arrow next to the node.

    Specify the flow action properties for the node that you want to create.

    Property Description
    Node name

    Name that identifies this node in the topic flow.

    Advanced
    Additional instructions for LLM

    Further instructions to the LLM, such as adding data formats, restrictions, or default values for user responses. You can create additional instructions in plain language, input a script, or define conditions with the data pill picker.

    Confirmation message

    Toggle switch to display a summary of collected inputs to the user at the end of a conversation. If Summary message is activated, the Virtual Agent, when activated, presents the information that you have entered and asks if everything is correct. Select Yes to continue the chat or No to restart collecting user input. You can also reply by typing a response in the chat window, to confirm or deny the summary or to change your answer. This option is active by default, and shows an enabled icon Enabled icon. when activated.

    Hide or skip this node
    Conditionally show this node if

    No-code condition statement or low-code script that specifies a condition for presenting this node in the conversation. The condition must evaluate to true.

    Allow user to skip this node if

    No-code condition statement or low-code script that specifies a condition for letting users skip this node in the conversation. The condition must evaluate to true. You can set this field using either the condition builder or a script.

    Example Input Collector capability

    Basic properties include the node name. Advanced options include Additional instructions to LLM, Confirmation messages, and Hide this node.

    Input Collector canvas view

    Input collector canvas view, holding text and static choice input nodes. You can move nodes by selecting and dragging them inside, out of, or within the Input collector.

    Input Collector table view

    Input collector table view, showing text and static choice nodes, with up and down arrows to reorder nodes inside the collector.

    Channel support

    Table 1. Channel support for the Input Collector control
    Channel LLM support NLU/keyword support Constraints
    Web UI Not supported Supported None
    Mobile UI Not supported Supported None
    Now Assist panel Not supported Supported None
    Microsoft Teams Supported Supported None
    Slack Not supported Not supported Not applicable
    Workplace Not supported Not supported Not applicable
    Facebook Messenger Not supported Not supported Not applicable
    SMS Twilio Supported Not supported Not applicable
    LINE Not supported Not supported Not applicable
    WhatsApp Supported Not supported Not applicable
    Apple Messages for Business Not supported Not supported Not applicable
    Alexa (Voice) Not supported Not supported Not applicable