EP: Issue with the Universal Worklist through failing in retrieval from the ActionInboxConnector

Background:In the Universal Worklist (UWL) in the configuration setup you are encountering an error exception referencing the ActionInboxConnector.

What you see:The UWL iView displays the error exception "failure in retrieving from ActionInboxConnector" 

Logs: In the defaultTrace log file (\usr\sap\<SID>\<J2EE_instance_number>\j2ee\cluster\<server#>\log\) you see an exception related to ActionInboxConnector with its associated connector status e.g.

#EP-KM-CM#sap.com/com.sap.netweaver.bc.uwl.aibconnector#C00090048127005A0000003400007A79#443247250000005400

#sap.com/com.sap.netweaver.bc.uwl#com.sap.netweaver.bc.uwl.core.connect.aib.ActionInboxConnector#PELLIPE01#0##EB7695EE741711E5BF6E005056141073#52016186741811e5cb6200001a6b6a92##0#Thread[UWL Pooled Thread:4,5,ApplicationThreadGroup]#Plain## while trying to invoke the method com.sap.netweaver.bc.uwl.core.connect.aib.AIBUtils.itemType2Categories(java.lang.String, com.sap.netweaver.bc.uwl.UWLContext) of a null object loaded from field com.sap.netweaver.bc.uwl.core.connect.aib.ActionInboxConnector.aibUtils of an object loaded from local variable 'this'java.lang.NullPointerException: while trying to invoke the method com.sap.netweaver.bc.uwl.core.connect.aib.AIBUtils.itemType2Categories(java.lang.String, com.sap.netweaver.bc.uwl.UWLContext) of a null object loaded from field com.sap.netweaver.bc.uwl.core.connect.aib.ActionInboxConnector.aibUtils of an object loaded from local variable 'this'.

Identifying the issue: Log into Enterprise Portal.  In the portal, navigate to System Administration -> System Configuration -> Universal Worklist & Workflow -> Universal Worklist -> Administration. In the list of systems, select the ActionInboxConnector. The UWL in the Enterprise Portal shows the message  "An error occurred while trying to connect to the provider". While the connector status returns "failure in retrieving from ActionInboxConnector".

Why this is happening:Discrepancy in the attributes associated with the ActionInboxConnector.

Resolving the issue: With the ActionInboxConnector errors exceptions may appear for a wide range of different reasons.

The first point of analysis is to check if you are currently using KM or KMC (pcd:portal_content/com.sap.pct/admin.templates/iviews/com/sap.km.Config). If you are using KMC attempt to deactivate -> then reactivate the ActionInbox Connector > System Administration -> System Configuration -> UWL -> UWL Admin;

Important Point: Computer Monitor Service Under KM must be working. Next navigate to the UWL administration -> select the system 'ActionInbox' -> open the tray for 'Universal Worklist Service Configuration'. Analyze the current value setting for 'Timeout Value for the Connected Systems'. Increase the value presently configured to a new value setting e.g. 300 seconds.Then retest the connector.