Mobile Business Process Access via Intermediary Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current business process management software systems face inefficiencies due to lack of seamless access to processes from various devices and deficiencies in integration with these devices, as well as limited process intelligence to support such functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for accessing business process instances via WAP-compliant mobile devices, utilizing a process application programming interface (PAPI) to enable interaction with BPM tasks, allowing users to participate in business processes through wireless devices, and integrating heterogeneous applications into a unified graphically defined process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If business process management systems are implemented to automate enterprise processes, then productivity and performance are improved, but access to process instances from mobile devices remains limited and integration with such devices is deficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables universal access to business process instances across multiple device types including mobile phones, PDAs, and other wireless devices. The BPM system is modified to support device-agnostic access, allowing the same process instance to be accessed and manipulated regardless of the specific device used, thereby resolving the limitation of device-specific access while maintaining productivity improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary layer is introduced between the BPM system and mobile devices to facilitate integration. This intermediary handles the communication protocols and data formats, enabling seamless interaction between enterprise BPM systems and various mobile devices without requiring direct integration with each device type, thus improving ease of operation while preserving system productivity.
2Productivity
If enterprise systems integrate multiple heterogeneous applications into unified processes, then system efficiency is improved, but integration capabilities with mobile devices remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides universal integration capabilities that work across heterogeneous applications and mobile device types. By implementing a standardized interface layer, the system can integrate multiple applications into unified processes while simultaneously supporting various mobile devices, thereby maintaining system efficiency while enhancing adaptability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration architecture is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, allowing the system to automatically adjust to different mobile device capabilities and application requirements. This dynamic approach enables the system to maintain efficient unified processes while adapting to diverse integration scenarios, resolving the contradiction between system efficiency and integration versatility.
3Productivity
If business processes are automated through software BPM systems, then performance and profit are improved, but seamless access from any device is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary communication layer is implemented that translates between enterprise BPM system protocols and mobile device communication standards. This intermediary enables seamless access to automated business processes from any device while maintaining the performance improvements achieved through automation, as it handles device-specific variations without affecting core process execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension of device independence to automated business processes. By implementing access across multiple device dimensions (mobile phones, PDAs, tablets, etc.), the system maintains high performance through automation while achieving seamless multi-device access, effectively resolving the contradiction by expanding the access dimension rather than compromising process automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A BPM system is described for modeling, management and execution of business processes. A process designer component is used to graphically design a business process, which includes a set of activities linked by transitions. The business process is stored and executed using one or more engines. A mobile device can be used to access the business process instance executing on the engine. The mobile work portal can be generated to render information for the process instance onto the mobile device. A process application programming interface can be used to access and manipulate the process instance from the mobile device.