Service catalog and requests · Autessa IT Desk
Catalog order forms
Autessa IT Desk builds catalog order forms from variables: single-line and multi-line text, select boxes, multiple choice, yes/no, dates, references to a person, an asset, software or a service, and attachments. Fields can show only when another answer matches, and the builder shows a live preview exactly as the Help Center will render it.
The problem
One form for everything, or a hundred forms nobody maintains
A laptop request needs a model, an access request needs an app and a role, a new-hire request needs a start date and a manager. A good order form asks exactly these questions and nothing else, and checks the answers before the request reaches IT.
What you get
- Variable types: Single line text, Multi-line text, Select box, Multiple choice, Yes / No, Date, Reference and Attachment.
- Reference pickers for a Person, the requester's own Asset, Software, or a Service / configuration item.
- Required fields, help text, options and display order per variable.
- Show a field only when another variable equals a value, such as "Which app?" only when "Type" is Software.
- A date variable can anchor task due dates, such as a new hire's start date or a leaver's last day.
- A person variable can name who the request is about, such as who is joining or who is leaving.
- The builder lists any problems in the form definition and previews the form live.
How it works
How does catalog order forms work in Autessa IT Desk?
Open the item
Open a catalog item as an IT administrator and go to its variables panel.
Add variables
Pick a type, a name and a label, mark it required, add help text and options.
Add conditions
For a follow-up question, choose Show only when another variable is a value.
Mark anchors and subjects
Mark the date that due dates count from and the person the request is about.
Preview and save
Check the live preview, fix any listed problems and save. The Help Center uses the new form immediately.
Every option
Variable settings
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Type | Single line text, Multi-line text, Select box, Multiple choice, Yes / No, Date, Reference, Attachment. |
| Name and label | A short lowercase name and the question people see. |
| Required | The order cannot be placed without it. |
| Help text | Shown under the field. |
| Options | Choices for select boxes and multiple choice. |
| Reference kind | Person, Asset (theirs), Software, Service / CI. |
| Show only when | Another variable equals a value. |
| Date anchor | Makes the date the start date or end date that task due dates count from. |
| Subject | Marks a person variable as who the request is about. |
| Order | Display order on the form. |
Permissions
Who can do what?
| Role | Can |
|---|---|
| IT administrator | Build and edit order forms. |
| Employee | Fill in the form in the Help Center; required fields and conditions are checked before submit. |
AI assist
How the IT Desk Assistant helps
When an employee asks the portal assistant to order something, it helps fill the form's questions. In the workspace, the assistant can explain which fields are required on the open form.
The assistant acts as you, with your role. It fills forms but never saves them, and anything risky waits for you to press Confirm.
About the IT Desk Assistant →Connected
How it connects to the rest of IT Desk
FAQ
Questions about catalog order forms
Can catalog forms have conditional questions?
Yes. Any variable can show only when another variable equals a value, and the same rule is checked when the order is placed.
Can a form ask for one of the requester's own devices?
Yes. A reference variable of kind Asset lists only the devices assigned to the person ordering.
Can employees attach files to a request?
Yes. Add an Attachment variable to the form.
100% customizable, code and all
Make Autessa IT Desk fully your own.
Use it out of the box, then change anything. Ask Autobot, Autessa’s AI builder, for a new field, screen, report, workflow or agent and it builds it into your copy of the app. Or open the code and edit it yourself. Nothing is locked: the app, its data and its code are yours.
Start free and make it yours