Ask experts to introduce workflow software.

Workflow is "the automation of some or all business processes in computer application environment", and its main purpose is "the process of automatically transferring documents, information or tasks among multiple participants according to some predefined rules, so as to achieve some expected business goal or promote the realization of this goal".

Simply put, workflow is a series of interrelated business activities or tasks that are automatically executed. Workflow includes a set of tasks (or activities) and their mutual sequential relationship, as well as the start and end conditions of the process and tasks (or activities) and the description of each task (or activity).

The situation of workflow in most practical applications can be simply described as: on the hardware platform of network, server and multiple computer clients, according to preset rules, with the help of application programs and people's processing of relevant data, business processes are completed. For example, in daily office, after writing the report, it may be submitted to the leader for review or instruction; It may be necessary to collect approval opinions and submit them to another person in order to further modify the report. In this way, the same document can be delivered to multiple people sequentially or simultaneously. In this case, we can use workflow technology to control and manage the automatic transmission of documents between computers instead of manual transmission. This can be called workflow.

Similar automatic document processing is just a simple application of workflow technology. In fact, workflow technology can accomplish more and more complex tasks in real life. Such as the automatic processing of various data or information within enterprises (or institutions), the integration of various business processes, the data exchange between enterprises (or institutions), and the cross-regional data transmission and processing with the help of Internet technology.

Work flow chart of product sales:

I. Workflow development

Workflow technology originated from the research in the field of office automation in the mid-1970s. At that time, due to the lack of computer popularization, low level of network technology and lack of theoretical basis, this new technology was not successful. From 1983 to 1985, early commercial systems with workflow characteristics appeared in the fields of image processing and e-mail.

After entering the 1990s, with the popularization and promotion of personal computer and network technology, as well as the improvement of information construction, the research and development of workflow technology has entered a new climax. 1August, 993, the first workflow technology standardization industry organization-Workflow Management Alliance (WFMC, the same below) was established. 1994, the workflow management alliance issued a workflow reference model for interoperability among workflow management systems, and successively formulated a series of industry standards. At the same time, the academic research on workflow technology is also very active, and many prototype systems have been developed in the laboratory. Since 2 1 century, workflow technology has been recognized by more and more people, and there are countless related standards, workflow engines and commercial products. While developing and popularizing workflow products, people pay more attention to the theoretical research of workflow to promote the maturity of technology.

Second, the characteristics of workflow

1, flow chart of graphic and visual design

2, support a variety of complex processes

3. The organizational structure hierarchy processor specifies the functions.

4, B/S structure, pure browser application

5. Powerful security functions

6. The form is powerful and easy to expand.

7. Flexible management strategies for going out and working overtime.

8. The treatment process can be tracked and managed.

9. Rich statistics, query and report functions.

10, integrated with mail system

Third, the advantages of workflow

The benefits brought by the implementation of workflow management in enterprises are very obvious, including improving the operational efficiency of enterprises, improving the utilization rate of enterprise resources, improving the flexibility and adaptability of enterprise operations, improving work efficiency, concentrating core business, tracking business processing process, quantitatively assessing the efficiency of business processing, reducing waste, increasing profits, and giving full play to the role of existing computer network resources. The implementation of workflow will achieve the goals of shortening the operation cycle of enterprises, improving the internal (external) processes of enterprises, optimizing and rationally utilizing resources, reducing human errors and delays, and improving labor productivity.

Summarize the benefits of implementing workflow, which can be summarized as follows:

1, pending matters have been automatically transferred to personal computer.

2. It is no longer necessary to train employees in the process, and the process change is successfully realized.

3. Employees only need to focus on the data they care about.

4. Get historical data at any time.

5. Generate processing efficiency report at any time.

6, realize the goal of paperless office.

7. Fully support mobile office and synchronize operations.

8. Scientific management has reached a higher level, and office efficiency has been significantly improved.

9, the core competitiveness of enterprises will be improved.

10, through process automation and database integration, as well as various forms of statistical query functions, improve decision-making ability.

Four, workflow workflow technology framework

How is the verb (short for verb) workflow realized?

The realization of workflow requires three basic steps: mapping, modeling and management. Mapping is the first step, and its first task is to determine and record all existing manual and automated business processes in the organization; Modeling is to develop a model that helps to simplify the business process in Yu Jiancheng. The third stage is the software realization and seamless system integration across all departments, business units and even the whole enterprise.

In order to ensure that the workflow system can be implemented "seamlessly" in the organization, the project team must follow the defined and proven working methods, and each working stage must have measurable results. A well-thought-out implementation plan executed by an experienced team is the decisive factor for the successful adoption and implementation of workflow. The following figure describes the recommended high-level workflow (implementation process) that a typical organization can adopt. The following is a detailed introduction according to the steps in the figure.

Establish a project management office

The composition of the project management office is the first and most important step. The members of the project management office must be strictly and carefully selected, and they must represent the business, operation, IT and audit departments in the organization to an appropriate extent. Product experts, technical support personnel and management personnel of product suppliers must also participate to supplement users. Usually, PMO also includes change management consultants, which helps to form the diversity of people's thinking in the organization. The roles and responsibilities of each member must be clearly defined. PMO determines the implementation scope, objectives, implementation time frame and priority of the project as a whole. PMO is also responsible for managing and tracking the progress of the project, setting indicators for testing the success of the project, and regularly reporting the project status to the senior management.

Business situation analysis

The project team will analyze the existing business processes of users, find out which processes need to be optimized and improved to achieve good results, and analyze the timeline and expected results of each process. They will discuss with key personnel to collect and identify correct information and data, so as to determine how the workflow system can meet the requirements. The next business analysis will determine which processes can be optimized, automated and simplified, and which processes even need to be redesigned.

Determine the goal

Determining the best goal is based on a detailed analysis of the business process. The goal definition of workflow project should be clear and verifiable, and a good goal means the success of the project. At each stage of the implementation process, the project team must confirm that the results achieved are what they expect. For example, if the goal is to shorten the billing cycle by two weeks, you must analyze the existing processes of time tracking, bookkeeping and billing.

Determine the implementation plan

After the goal is established, the project team composed of users and software vendors will show each module of the workflow solution, define its functions and characteristics according to the specific needs put forward by users, and decide the online time of each module according to the business priority.

Modeling business process in workflow system

It is an extremely important step to establish a business model in the implementation process. Users should work closely with software product application experts to strike a balance between ease of use and functional requirements.

Users can test the model before the deployment stage to ensure that the model meets the actual needs and does not have too much overhead. It should be pointed out that if this modeling step is not completely completed correctly, it will lead to wrong reports or redundant management work.

Realize process and software integration

At this stage, the project team will identify the existing processes and systems that need to interact with the workflow system. If not handled properly, the integration of old and new processes will lead to failure. An important aspect of process integration is to eliminate or minimize redundant data between multiple systems and replicate these data between multiple systems. Processes must be tightly integrated and data must flow smoothly between different processes and applications.

The project team must also ensure that the workflow system meets the safety standards of the user organization, which is often overlooked before the deployment stage.

Deploy workflow system

Deploying a workflow system consists of two parts. The first part is naturally a technical part, covering the installation, backup, recovery and network installation of software and hardware, which is similar to the general IT application implementation.

The second part refers to online trial operation. Debugging teams should be truly representative. The project team must communicate with the debugging team about the importance of the project and ensure that sufficient training is provided so that the debugging team can be familiar with the debugging work. It is suggested that the project team establish smooth communication channels to ensure timely feedback of users' opinions and suggestions during the trial operation. Trial operation will enable the project team to find the weaknesses and deficiencies of the original design and scheme, and solve them before large-scale online operation. This can also improve users' acceptance of the new process, because users feel that they are also involved in the development part of the project, and the solution is not imposed on them.

It is generally believed that the phased implementation of workflow system can make users get benefits faster. Because users can learn the new system step by step more effectively and get immediate benefits. The phased implementation also gives users more time to understand and evaluate their further needs, making it easier to make modifications during the project implementation. In addition, the phased implementation of the project reduces risks.

System evaluation

It is important to note that after each stage is completed, the project team should evaluate the completed results according to the goals set at the beginning of the project, analyze the obtained results and compare them with the original design goals. To ensure that workflow solutions are optimized in the existing business environment? What needs to be changed through learning.

system support

In order to ensure the successful implementation and better use of workflow software, organizations must invest in services, appoint professionals to provide first-line services, and sign contracts with suppliers to obtain second-level support.

Six, workflow applicable industries

Consumer goods industry, manufacturing, telecommunications services, banking and securities insurance and other financial services, logistics services, property services, property management, large and medium-sized import and export trading companies, government agencies, research institutes and educational services, especially large multinational enterprises and group companies.

Seven, the specific application of workflow

Key business processes: order processing, quotation processing, procurement processing, contract review, customer telephone processing, supply chain management, etc.

Administration: applications for business trip, overtime, leave, car use, all kinds of office supplies, purchase, daily and weekly reports and other administrative forms that were originally handled manually.

Personnel management: employee training arrangement, performance appraisal, post change handling, employee file information management, etc.

Financial related categories: payment application, accounts receivable processing, daily reimbursement processing, travel expense reimbursement, budget and plan application, etc.

Customer service: customer information management, customer complaints, request handling, after-sales service management, etc.

Featured services: ISO series corresponding processes, quality management corresponding processes, product data information management, customs declaration processing of trading companies, goods tracking processing of logistics companies and other tasks completed by manual circulation step by step can be automatically and regularly executed through workflow software.

As a mature and stable workflow product, it not only provides intelligent management of daily office and key business processes, but also can easily and conveniently customize various processes at any time according to the special actual needs of the company, and can realize powerful functions such as tracking, querying, statistics and printing for different roles.

conclusion

Many organizations have ambitious plans. In order to regain lost time and gain competitive advantage, they hope to enter the digital workflow era with greater steps, deeper (enterprise level or multi-level), wider (multi-application) and faster (short time). I often find that there are many reasons for their fiasco. According to my personal experience, it is wise to start small and gradually expand with the growth of workflow. The phased implementation provides a smooth way to switch to the new process. Because users see the benefits, they are more likely to accept the new workflow. Another reason for phased implementation is that users can't abandon all the original processes at once and start from scratch. Organizations should focus on finding their "pain points" in the most inefficient areas of current business processes, and then use the principle of "case-driven" to influence them.

Organizations must also realize that management power and corporate culture must be considered when planning to implement a new workflow.

The last key element of success is "people". When we change business processes, technology is one thing, but the bigger challenge comes from employees. Indeed, the digital workflow system should be carried out in stages, so that people can gain experience step by step, not revolutionary.

Workflow: workflow

Today I'm going to talk about workflow system.

What is a workflow system? Workflow is "the automation of some or all business processes in the computer application environment", and its main purpose is "the process of automatically transferring documents, information or tasks among multiple participants according to some predefined rules, so as to achieve an expected business goal or promote the realization of this goal".

Simply put, a workflow system is a series of interrelated business activities or tasks that are automatically executed. //Workflow includes a set of tasks (or activities) and their sequential relationships, as well as the start and end conditions of the process and tasks (or activities) and the description of each task (or activity).

For example, in daily office, after writing the report, it may be submitted to the leader for review or instruction; It may be necessary to collect approval opinions and submit them to another person in order to further modify the report. In this way, the same document can be delivered to multiple people sequentially or simultaneously. In this case, we can use workflow technology to control and manage the automatic transmission of documents between computers instead of manual transmission. This can be called workflow.

Workflow technology architecture (picture)

words explanation

Middleware middleware

run time

Build before pre-build.

flow chart

Subsystem subsystem

Advantages of workflow

The benefits brought by the implementation of workflow management in enterprises are very obvious, including improving the operational efficiency of enterprises, improving the utilization rate of enterprise resources, improving the flexibility and adaptability of enterprise operations, improving work efficiency, concentrating core business, tracking business processing process, quantitatively assessing the efficiency of business processing, reducing waste, increasing profits, and giving full play to the role of existing computer network resources. The implementation of workflow will achieve the goals of shortening the operation cycle of enterprises, improving the internal (external) processes of enterprises, optimizing and rationally utilizing resources, reducing human errors and delays, and improving labor productivity.

Summarize the benefits of implementing workflow, which can be summarized as follows:

1, pending matters have been automatically transferred to personal computer.

2. It is no longer necessary to train employees in the process, and the process change is successfully realized.

3. Employees only need to focus on the data they care about.

4. Get historical data at any time.

5. Generate processing efficiency report at any time.

6, realize the goal of paperless office.

7. Fully support mobile office and synchronize operations.

8. Scientific bsp9. The core competitiveness of enterprises will be improved.

10, through process automation and database integration, as well as various forms of statistical query functions, improve decision-making ability.

The essence of an organization: 1 is the gathering of participants and technologies.

2. Constrained by the overall goal

Organization type: 1 rational (the whole group pursues fairly clear goals and shows a fairly high fixed social structure, such as commerce) 2 Natural (the whole group has the same interests and is willing to participate in collective activities, such as charities).

3. Open organization

Organizational application in data stream: Rational organization is the most successful data stream used in computerization, and at the same time, naturally open organizations are also computerized.

Connection of a data flow system: 1 message system 2 work item 3 business rule 4 flow chart

Message system: There are two kinds: 1 data stream can recognize the format, and the unrecognizable format.

Work Items Work items specify tasks that need to be performed by staff.

The task of data flow system is to coordinate work items.

Business rules: A typical data stream consists of many business logic blocks.

In its life cycle, business rules are always limited by data flow.

Business rules play an important role in organizational modeling.

Reasons for business rules:-

Flowchart: Flowchart is the main model structure in data flow.

Synchronization; Coordinate; Pause the example storage function for solving data streams.

Runtime Runtime Language:-

Hosts usually run on an organization's servers or clients.

Middleware framework of data stream {Middleware} Simple explanation: In order to solve the problem that applications rely too much on the network, an effective method is adopted to add a layer of software between the client and the server. }

Perform these tasks: 1 Initialize and terminate.

2. Execute: that is, execute the behavior specified in the model.

3 management of long-term data flow operation

Manage long-term and short-term transactions

speech draft

Go with the flow means go with the flow in English, but here it means workflow.

The essence of workflow: in an organization, paper document system is replaced by electronic document, thus realizing the automation of document processing. We can think of the whole business process as a river in which the workflow flows.

The emergence and development of data stream applications are the result of the following two factors:

Here are two key words in computer environment and automation (an example of handling transfer programs)

Data streams such as mail, e-mail, activities and information.

The transmission of data stream is carried out under certain logic and rules.

Seamless integration system is to realize information exchange and data sharing between different systems managed by the platform.

So how did the workflow system start to be applied by people?

The following are some technical terms in workflow.

Work Items Work items specify tasks that need to be performed by staff. For example, when we are programming, we will give prompt information so that the operator can input the required information.

Business rules: A typical data stream consists of many business logic blocks.

In its life cycle, business rules are always limited by data flow.

Business rules play an important role in organizational modeling.

Defining and running a data model is a very complex task, which requires important architecture, design and development work, and this work will never end, because the model must be adjusted at any time to reflect the changing organizational environment.

Conclusion: The core part of workflow is the model of organizational work, which is used to compile many parts to run an organization.

Then there are some widely used workflow software.

MRP-III

It is a combination of MRP-II and JIT (just-in-time system), plus expert system (ES), concurrent engineering (CE) and managers who undertake system operation.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

The basic idea of ERP is to regard the manufacturing process of manufacturing enterprises as a closely connected supply chain, including suppliers, manufacturing plants, distribution networks and customers. Divide the enterprise into several cooperative support groups, such as finance, marketing, sales, quality, engineering, etc. , including the monitoring and management of competitors.

Compared with the enterprise IT application systems (such as MRPII or ERP) adopted in the past, WFMS is a very important milestone. From the user's point of view, the changes that WFMS has brought (or will bring) are extremely strong, and can even be described as the realization of a user's "dream".

In some old "modular" products, the system design is usually based on task division and work items are split. Object-oriented technology can not directly solve this problem, on the contrary, it often makes the system more chaotic and trivial. In operation, under normal circumstances, we must constantly "advance and retreat" between hierarchical menus (such as drop-down menus) or objects, or play hide-and-seek in "elusive" objects and related menus.

Workflow management system is a real man-machine system. The user is the basic role in the system and the direct task assignment object. He (she) can directly see the "task list" listed by the computer for himself, track the status of each task, or continue a task without quitting from one module and entering another module to search for clues of the corresponding task. The former is function-oriented or object-oriented, while the latter is directly user-oriented. In this way, the user's task assignment and task completion status can be controlled by computer to the greatest extent.

Now the typical workflow product is customer service software. The increasingly important way is through the World Wide Web interface, which can make customers or remote workers better involved. The definition of workflow is often based on graphical tools, and the corresponding work arrangement is defined according to the situation of business process instances.

1. It has been able to generate a large number of detailed data continuously and automatically. This kind of data first appeared in the traditional banking and stock trading fields, and now it also appears in geological survey, meteorology, astronomical observation and other fields. In particular, the emergence of Internet (network traffic monitoring, click stream) and wireless communication network (call record) has produced a large number of data streams. We notice that most of these data are related to geographic information, mainly because geographic information has a large dimension and it is easy to produce such a large amount of detailed data.

2. The update stream needs to be analyzed in a near real-time manner. The complex analysis of data in the above fields (such as trend analysis and prediction) was previously done offline (in data warehouse), but some new applications (especially in the fields of network security and national security) are very sensitive to time, such as detecting extreme events, fraud, invasion, anomalies, complex crowd monitoring, trajectory trend monitoring, exploratory analysis and harmony on the Internet.

OSWorkflow is a flexible workflow engine designed to be embedded in enterprise applications. It provides a lot of persistent API support, including EJB, Hibernate, JDBC and so on. OSWorkflow can also be integrated with Spring.

JBpm is a flexible and extensible workflow management system. As the input of jBpm runtime server, business process is expressed in simple and powerful language and encapsulated in process file. JBmp combines the convenience of workflow application development with excellent EAI function. JBmp includes a Web application and a scheduler. JBmp is a set of J2SE components, which can be deployed as a J2EE application cluster.

OpenWFE is an open source Java workflow engine. It is a complete business process management suite: an engine, a work list, a Web interface and a reactor (storage automatic agent). It works well with your program.

Werkflow is a flexible and extensible workflow engine based on process and state. Its goal is to meet all imaginable workflows, from enterprise-level business processes to small-scale user interaction processes. By using pluggable and hierarchical structure, we can easily adapt to various workflow semantics.

OFBiz is a very famous open source project, which provides a framework for large and medium-sized enterprises to build a multi-tier distributed e-commerce WEB application system across platforms, databases and application servers based on the latest J2EE/XML specifications and technical standards. The main feature of OFBiz is that OFBiz provides a set of components and tools for developing web applications based on Java. Include entity engine, service engine, message engine, workflow engine, rule engine, etc.