Wide Area Workflow Management

In this volume Gerold Riempp examines the interaction of different workflow management systems (WFMS) in geographically-distributed and legally-separate organisations. This is an emerging field of research known as Wide Area Workflow Management (WAWM). He examines the technical and managerial aspects of workflow management via a framework which he has developed to describe the problems involved in WAWM and to find viable solutions. Based on this theoretical framework, the author also develops a prototype software framework - the Wide Area GroupFlow System - to demonstrate the solutions via practical software tools. The tools will be available to the reader via the WWW. Also included are the results of case studies from some of the 15 developers who have been using this software over the past two years.

Contenu

1 Introduction.- 1.1 Scenario.- 1.2 What is Wide Area Workflow Management (WAWM)?.- 1.3 Aims of this book.- 1.4 Structure.- 2 Case studies.- 2.1 Case study 1: sales activities in an international brewery.- 2.2 Case study 2: collaboration between a large lighting manufacturer and suppliers.- 3 Foundations of computer-aided interaction among widely dispersed office workers.- 3.1 Developments in the application of computer systems.- 3.2 Decentralized collaboration.- 3.2.1 Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW).- 3.2.2 Coordination science.- 3.2.3 Transaction cost theory.- 3.2.4 Interorganizational information systems.- 3.2.5 Electronic commerce.- 3.2.6 Types of cooperation among organizations.- 3.3 Process orientation in office work within and between organizations.- 3.3.1 Office work.- 3.3.2 Business process reengineering.- 3.3.3 Workflow management.- 3.3.4 Distributed and Wide Area Workflow Management.- 3.4 Technological fundaments.- 3.4.1 EDI and EDIFACT.- 3.4.2 Internet and World Wide Web.- 3.4.3 Object management standards.- 3.4.4 Groupware platforms.- 3.4.4.1 General characteristics.- 3.4.4.2 Lotus Notes.- 4 Workflow management related approaches under aspects of distribution.- 4.1 Classification of workflow management systems.- 4.2 Conceptual approaches.- 4.2.1 Reference Model of the Workflow Management Coalition.- 4.2.1.1 Basic concept of the WfMC Reference Model.- 4.2.1.2 Interface 4: interoperability between workflow engines.- 4.2.2 Business process oriented approaches.- 4.2.2.1 Handbook of organizational processes.- 4.2.2.2 PRINCESS.- 4.2.3 Flexibility oriented approaches.- 4.2.3.1 Workflow Continuum and GroupFlow.- 4.2.3.2 FlexWare.- 4.2.3.3 FreeFlow.- 4.2.3.4 MOVE.- 4.2.4 Distribution oriented approaches.- 4.2.4.1 ActMan.- 4.2.4.2 Exotica/FMQM.- 4.2.4.3 POLIKOM.- 4.2.4.4 FUNSOFT nets.- 4.2.4.5 Workonnector.- 4.2.4.6 ORBWork.- 4.2.4.7 VORTEL.- 4.2.4.8 ContAct.- 4.2.5 WWW oriented approaches.- 4.2.5.1 WebWork.- 4.2.5.2 WAX.- 4.2.5.3 PhantaRhei.- 4.2.5.4 WorldFlow.- 4.3 Commercial systems.- 4.4 Discussion of the approaches presented in respect to Wide Area Workflow Management.- 5 Concepts for Wide Area Workflow Management (WAWM).- 5.1 Fundamentals.- 5.2 General characteristics and requirements.- 5.2.1 Challenges of coordinating the collaboration of widely distributed workflow participants.- 5.2.2 Three dimensions of Wide Area Workflow Management.- 5.2.2.1 Information distribution.- 5.2.2.2 Locations.- 5.2.2.3 Organizational integration.- 5.3 Interaction and synchronization of distributed workflow parts.- 5.4 Coordination of WFMSs' interaction - three different mechanisms.- 5.4.1 Hierarchy.- 5.4.2 Market.- 5.4.3 Cooperation of equal partners.- 5.4.4 Continuum of coordination mechanisms.- 5.5 Aspects of flexibility.- 5.5.1 Flexible planning.- 5.5.2 Flexible run-time operation.- 5.6 Architectural concepts.- 5.6.1 Shared coordination directories.- 5.6.1.1 Structure and contents of coordination directories.- 5.6.1.2 Distribution and synchronization methods.- 5.6.2 Message objects - mobile workflow information carriers.- 5.6.2.1 Structure of message objects.- 5.6.2.2 Format and properties of message objects.- 5.6.2.3 Application of message objects.- 5.6.3 Content management - filtering of information.- 5.6.4 Gateways - connection of heterogeneous WFMSs.- 5.7 Models for implementation and continuous improvement of WAWM.- 5.7.1 Lifecycle for WAWM systems.- 5.7.2 Implementation model for WAWM systems.- 6 Wide Area GroupFlow System (WAGS).- 6.1 Architecture.- 6.1.1 Design approach.- 6.1.2 Technological basis of WAGS.- 6.1.3 Terms.- 6.2 Components.- 6.2.1 Description of organizational structures with WAGS Infrastructure.- 6.2.2 Planning of Wide Area Workflow Management with the WAGS Modeler.- 6.2.3 Exchange and use of workflow interface specifications with the WAGS External Directory.- 6.2.4 Workflow enactment service - WAGS Engine.- 6.2.5 Connection of widely distributed WFMSs with WAGS Gateways.- 6.2.6 Control of workflows with WAGS Tracking and the WAGS Analyzer.- 6.2.7 Integration with the Internet and World Wide Web using WAGS WebConnect.- 6.3 Further developments.- 7 Wide Area Workflow Management in practical application.- 7.1 Case study 1: sales activities in an international brewery.- 7.2 Case study 2: collaboration between a large lighting manufacturer and suppliers.- 8 Conclusions and outlook.- 9 Summary.- 10 References.- 10.1 Literature references.- 10.2 Online references.- 11 Indices.- 11.1 Keyword index.- 11.2 Abbreviations.- 11.3 Figures.- 11.4 Tables.- About the author and his team.