The invented
software system and method is an easy-to-use, browser-based solution, providing casual business
computer users the ability to create, modify, and monitor business processes, much like
spreadsheet software allows users to quickly complete complex math calculations. It is built on a “fill in the table” interface so any user can create a customized process within minutes, without having to understand how to
flow chart or program a computer. Automatic alerts regarding work to be done, sent through a normal email
client, are included as part of the product's
feature set as well as a chronological history and a variety of default reports. Processes are easy to set up, deploy, and control, and participation in those processes is simple and fast. Any process can be immediately launched and is saved as a template for later use or modification. Templates can be shared or sold to other users, as well. Briefly, the invented
system and method includes
software running on a
server accessible via a network, e.g. a
local area network (LAN) or
wide area network (WAN) such as the world-wide web by subscribing and logged on one or more
proximate (centralized) or remote (distributed) users with laptops, desktops or workstations. The
software features a friendly
user interface with toolboxes, menus and buttons for patterned templating of processes and tasks and for management and oversight of the same. Process authors can construct templated processes in a table-drive manner that is parse-able by a process
compiler and
executable by a
process engine. Process users can create task assignees chosen at will or from their own address books. Task assignees can use the software to follow optionally check-listed task steps and start / stop dates and times can be monitored and logged. Finally, reports can be generated. E-mail is the preferred conveyance of task-notification messages among various users of the invented software.