Automated business process
Encyclopedia
Many computer systems are available in the commercial marketplace that address the various aspects of Business Process Management
. Most address one specific set of functionality; for instance, some allow the processes to be mapped (see Business Process Mapping
) and documented (such as Visio
); others allow for simulation
s to take place (such as ARIS
). But most of these are very limited in their ability to address the full requirements of BPM.
Very few systems provide for full automation. These allow the users to define the process flow and then enter the 'business rules' that generate the complete working system, including the database and all application logic. They also provide full management facilities to manage the running of the processes (such as changing users when someone is off sick), as well as a complete history trail so that activity-based costing
analyses can take place. They also provide full statistical analyses (P and R Measures
) that allow the automated process to be changed and improved.
These system differ from all traditional IT developments in that everything is time based. Traditional systems (often found as Legacy system
s) are 'passive', in that they provide excellent functionality when specifically asked to do something - they will answer enquries, process updates and produce reports. Active systems are driven by time - in what sequence must activities happen; when must tasks be completed and by when; what happens if work misses a deadline; how are parallel activities to be resynchronised. These facilities are all handled by true Automated Business Process systems.
Business process management
Business process management is a holistic management approach focused on aligning all aspects of an organization with the wants and needs of clients. It promotes business effectiveness and efficiency while striving for innovation, flexibility, and integration with technology. BPM attempts to...
. Most address one specific set of functionality; for instance, some allow the processes to be mapped (see Business Process Mapping
Business Process Mapping
Business process mapping refers to activities involved in defining exactly what a business entity does, who is responsible, to what standard a process should be completed and how the success of a business process can be determined. Once this is done, there can be no uncertainty as to the...
) and documented (such as Visio
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio , formerly known as Microsoft Office Visio, is a commercial diagramming program for Microsoft Windows that uses vector graphics to create diagrams.- Features :...
); others allow for simulation
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
s to take place (such as ARIS
ARIS
ARIS may refer to:*Advanced Research Instrumentation Ship *American Religious Identification Survey*Anti-Racism Information Service*Architecture of Integrated Information Systems...
). But most of these are very limited in their ability to address the full requirements of BPM.
Very few systems provide for full automation. These allow the users to define the process flow and then enter the 'business rules' that generate the complete working system, including the database and all application logic. They also provide full management facilities to manage the running of the processes (such as changing users when someone is off sick), as well as a complete history trail so that activity-based costing
Activity-based costing
Activity-based costing is a special costing model that identifies activities in an organization and assigns the cost of each activity with resources to all products and services according to the actual consumption by each...
analyses can take place. They also provide full statistical analyses (P and R Measures
P and R Measures
P and R measures are the statistics used to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes, particularly automated business processes.The P measures are the process measures – these statistics that record the number of times things occur...
) that allow the automated process to be changed and improved.
These system differ from all traditional IT developments in that everything is time based. Traditional systems (often found as Legacy system
Legacy system
A legacy system is an old method, technology, computer system, or application program that continues to be used, typically because it still functions for the users' needs, even though newer technology or more efficient methods of performing a task are now available...
s) are 'passive', in that they provide excellent functionality when specifically asked to do something - they will answer enquries, process updates and produce reports. Active systems are driven by time - in what sequence must activities happen; when must tasks be completed and by when; what happens if work misses a deadline; how are parallel activities to be resynchronised. These facilities are all handled by true Automated Business Process systems.