WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT

With many traditional systems the processes for modifying data are hardcoded and require reprogramming in case processes change. With the Axxerion workflow technology you can interactively design and modify these processes in a graphical environment. The underlying mathematical foundation is Petri Net technology, which enables a formal specification of processes using places, tasks and transitions.

Workflow patterns: Using Axxerion you can model simple as well as very advanced workflows. Axxerion supports the workflow patterns as specified in scientific research by the Eindhoven University of Technology (see the workflow whitepaper). This provides a solid base for building a wide range of workflows.

Graphical design: Workflows can be designed in a graphical environment in the web browser. Elements of the workflow such as tasks, states and connectors can be placed interactively by 'drag and drop'.

Graphical feedback: The state of the workflow can be graphically displayed during execution of the workflow. Using this, the user can see at one glance which states are active and which tasks need to be executed.

Integrated security: The workflow functionality is fully integrated with the security model of Axxerion. Because of this it is possible to specify per state in the workflow which fields are visible or editable, and which functions/buttons are visible.

Priorities: The response and runtime of the workflow and the due dates of tasks can be controlled by the priority of the underlying object. This way, conditions in Service Level Agreements can be modeled and verified.

Messages: Emails can be sent from the workflow if a certain task is completed, or if the workflow is in a certain state during a certain period. These emails can be parameterized and formatted in HTML.

Subworkflows: Workflows can be nested in other workflows. For example if there is already a workflow for a purchase approval this workflow can be used for approving a computer purchase in a new employee hire workflow.

Analysis: Axxerion has built-in tools for workflow analysis. Data like response time and run time are logged per executed workflow and task. Using this data, reports and charts can be displayed to analyze the performance and the process.

Versions: The workflow process can change over time. For this purpose, Axxerion supports workflow versions. Older objects can continue working with their own version. New objects can work with a newer workflow version.

Roles: Workflow tasks for a request can be assigned to user groups such as facility manager or sales manager. When people are assigned to a user group they will automatically receive tasks belonging to that group. This way you do not have to change the workflow definition when people change functions or if they are no longer active in the organization.

Escalation: Time-based triggers can be assigned to stages in the workflow. For example, if a certain stage in the process is not reached at a certain time the workflow engine can send a reminder or generate escalation tasks.

Decision rules: Workflows can have multiple decision points that can have simple or complex decision rules. For example, a decision rule can specify that if the total invoice amount is more than a certain amount and the person is not a manager it needs to go through additional approvals.