Dynamic Egress Branch Configuration in BPM Service Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current business process management (BPM) systems face inefficiencies in online process adjustments, requiring code modifications and restarts to add or remove service nodes, limiting flexibility and efficiency in service processing.
Innovation Solution
A BPM-based service processing method and apparatus that dynamically generates egress branches based on service data and process variables, allowing users to select and trigger egress branches without recoding or restarting the system, enabling real-time adjustments and improvements in service processing efficiency and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the original BPM system is used to add or remove service nodes, then the process structure can be adjusted, but code modification and system restart are required, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the egress branch configuration movable and adjustable during runtime. Instead of fixed code-defined paths, the system allows dynamic creation, modification, and deletion of egress branches through a visual configuration interface, enabling the process structure to adapt flexibly without recoding or restarting the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining multiple possible egress branches during the modeling phase, but keeping them inactive until needed. When process adjustments are required, users can simply activate or configure the pre-existing branches without needing to write new code, thus preparing the system in advance for potential changes.
2Reliability
If code modification and system restart are performed to adjust the business process, then the process can be updated, but the adjustment time increases and real-time flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating visual representations of egress branches that can be copied, moved, and reconfigured in the interface. These visual copies represent the actual process paths, allowing users to duplicate existing branches, modify their destinations, or delete them without touching the underlying code, thus maintaining reliability while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the BPM system - a visual configuration interface that mediates process adjustments. This intermediary allows users to make high-level configuration changes without directly modifying code, translating user intentions into system actions without requiring system restart, thus reducing adjustment time while maintaining update capability.
3Productivity
If the BPM system allows dynamic egress branch configuration, then online adjustment efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the egress branch configuration into independent, manageable units. Each egress branch is a separate configurable element with its own properties (destination service node, conditions, etc.), allowing users to modify individual branches without affecting the entire process. This modular approach enables efficient online adjustments while keeping the added complexity organized and controllable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a unified configuration interface and set of rules that apply to all egress branches regardless of their specific function. The same mechanisms for creating, modifying, and deleting branches work universally across different process contexts, reducing the need for specialized handling and minimizing the effective complexity users must manage despite the system's enhanced capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a business process management BPM-based service processing method and apparatus, where the service processing method includes: receiving, by a service node, service data sent by an upstream service node; establishing, by the service node, at least one egress branch according to the service data and a process variable that is of the service node and corresponds to the service data, where the process variable is used to indicate an attribute of a downstream service node; outputting, by the service node, the at least one egress branch to a display page, so that a user selects an egress branch on the display page and initiates a trigger instruction on the display page; and determining, by the service node, the egress branch according to the received trigger instruction, and outputting the service data by using the egress branch. Efficiency of an online process adjustment of service processing can be improved, thereby improving flexibility of the entire service processing.