Dagmar Auer

Extending BPMN with Submit/Response-Style User Interaction Modeling

Developing process-oriented enterprise systems not only asks for Business Process Management (BPM) but also for an appropriate user interface and data model. Current BPM and workflow technologies are neither integrated with user dialogs nor offer an appropriate data model. This paper describes a novel integrated framework for modeling process-oriented systems called Processes with User Interfaces and Data Modeling Integration (PUDI), which offers a solution to these shortcomings. For the projects described in this paper, we used the Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) for the processes, extensions to BPMN for submit/response-style user interaction, which is characteristic of form-based applications ranging from small Web applications to large ERP systems, and the Unified Modeling Language (UML) for the data model which defines both, the information and the message model. The paper discusses related work and describes real-world application scenarios which motivated our research on the proposed framework and illustrates its practical benefits.

Business Process Management for Knowledge Work: Considerations on Current Needs, Basic Concepts and Models

The portion of knowledge work is steadily increasing in today’s working environments in western societies. This needs to be respected in the supporting IT systems. Starting with the characteristics of knowledge work and the resulting needs of knowledge workers, we present and compare two current standardization efforts in area of Business Process Management (BPM) by the OMG—the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and the Case Management Model and Notation (CMMN). We argue that a hybrid approach will not suffice in the future, but that there is rather a strong need for full integration.

Towards a Framework and Platform for Mobile, Distributed Workflow Enactment Services on a Possible Future of ERP Infrastructure

In this paper we represent a workflow management system architecture that realizes a sweet spot between the robustness of a centralized master workflow management enactment service and the flexibility of distributed disconnected workflow management services. The architecture emerged in a concrete scenario with the requirement that traveling business agents can proceed working with their supporting enterprise application even if they are disconnected from the Internet and therefore disconnected from their enterprise IT infrastructure. So far, the solution deals with the data and workflow state facets of the problem and appropriate data and workflow state synchronization are key characteristics of the solution. On the visionary side, the realized architecture can be turned into a general framework for robust distributed workflow-based systems. Such architecture will generalize the central workflow enactment service to become a hub for distributing not only data and workflow state but also the mobile code that makes up the enterprise application. Then, the crucial element of such an architecture will be a sandbox virtual machine for the distributed slaves that interplay in data, workflow, and code synchronization.

An Integrated Framework for Modeling Process-Oriented Enterprise Applications and Its Application to a Logistics Server System

Modeling process-oriented enterprise applications asks for combining business process modeling with user interaction and data modeling. Current Business Process Management (BPM) and workflow technologies, however, are neither integrated with user dialogs nor offer an appropriate data model. This paper describes a solution to these shortcomings - an integrated framework for modeling process-oriented applications called Processes with User Interfaces and Data Modeling Integration (PUDI), which combines best practices of process- oriented and form-based approaches. The paper presents both, a precise technical description of the PUDI framework and a detailed description of its use in an industrial re-documentation project at inet-logistics.

Knowledge-intensive Business Processes—A Case Study for Disease Management in Farming

Knowledge-intensive business processes (KIBPs) are strongly connected with knowledge work (KW). Thus, the definition of KW determines the relevant area of KIBPs. KW characteristics such as rather unstructured processes, user-driven, relying on knowledge, need for flexibility, adaptability, creativity and autonomy of knowledge workers are also associated with KIBPs. However, several authors argue based on their empirical findings that KW often also involves predefined, repetitive tasks besides a lot of creative work. Furthermore, latest trends put more emphasis on the practice of knowing. Based on our understanding of KW, we study a farming business process, which is not regarded as a typical KW domain. However, when looking at the details, many KIBP characteristics can be identified. Based on a use case dealing with disease management, particularly plant protection, in farming, we evaluate our understanding of KIBPs and thus, prepare the basis for the requirements definition concerning supporting models and methods with respect to adequate IT support.

A model for the migration to object-oriented software development with special emphasis on improvement of acceptance

Object oriented technology has been established as an important new paradigm in software development. Thus, many organizations involved in any kind of software production plan to migrate to object oriented technology or have already started this process. Besides several successful migrations, many failures occur. In order to reduce the risk of failure during the migration process, we developed a migration model based on an empirical study. The application of this model leads to a better understanding of the migration process and supports its planning, designing and implementation, putting special emphasis on improvement of acceptance. The theoretical foundations of our migration model come from technology management, organizational research (i.e. change management, and organizational roles), as well as existing approaches and models for this kind of migration. Our migration model consists of three main parts: the migration process model, the definition of organizational roles, and the use of acceptance strategies such as information and communication, participation, and further education. The main results concerning the rise of acceptance strategies, based on the results of the empirical study, are presented.

Design and Implementation of an Energy Management System for an Integrated Iron and Steel Plant

Energy management is an extremely important task, especially in the context of production processes consuming and/or producing huge amounts of different energy carriers. In this paper we discuss the design and implementation of an energy management system for an integrated iron and steel plant, using object-oriented technology and a relational database.

Connecting small, private & independent hydro power plants to increase the overall power generating efficiency

Abstract: In countries, where many small rivers exist, the geography can be used to implement environment-friendly small hydro power plants for the generation of energy. The smaller such hydro power plants are, the higher is the impact of environmental incidents. Usually, there are more than one small hydro power plants located alongside one river, mostly operated by different owners. To increase the overall power generating efficiency of all hydro power plants alongside one river, a good communication- and cooperating concept is needed. In our work, we propose a system concept and a prototype implementation for several small, private and independent hydro power plants to increase the energy production through a networked intelligent control system. We also show possibilities for avoiding events, which usually induce downtimes of the small hydro power plants. If these events can be minimized in number and duration, the overall energy production time is higher.

Security Aspects and Models in Cooperative Production Processes

Cooperative production is increasingly important in today’s globalized competitive economy, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Companies work together and by this share their competencies, information and resources to optimize production. The flexibility demands towards the supporting software applications not only concern the processes and services, but also security aspects. In this paper we focus on access control. A range of security models is studied with respect to their suitability of fulfilling the security requirements for cooperative production. Included are established models such as role-based access control (RBAC), or noticeable ones like attribute-based access control (ABAC), but also rather little-known ones such as break-the-glass (BTG) or intend-based access control (IBAC). The requirements discussed are based on literature study and results of a current application-oriented research project. Finally a recommendation for some specific security models is argued.

Behavior-based Decomposition of BPMN 2.0 Control Flow

The Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) is a well-established industry standard in the area of Business Process Management (BPM). However, still with the current version 2.0 of BPMN, problems and contradictions with the underlying semantics of the meta-model can be identified. This paper shows an alternative approach for modeling the BPMN meta-model, using behavior-based decomposition. The focus in this paper is on control flow. We use Abstract State Machines (ASM) to describe the decomposition of the merging and splitting behavior of the different BPMN flow node types, such as parallel, exclusive, inclusive and complex, as defined in the BPMN 2.0 standard, resulting in behavior patterns. Furthermore an example for the composition of different gateway types is given using these behavior patterns.