SMARTFlow
The SmartFlow platform provides an integral solution to the development, management, execution and interaction of process models and trouble-ticketing systems. SmartFlow provides the foundation of the following projects:
- SmartFlow-Engine: The heart of the SmartFLow Plattform - An event-driven workflow engine based on java/CORBA technologies that supports the Petri Net Theory, which is employed as a general method of representation and execution of process models. SmartFlow-Engine is currently used by several key systems within Telefonica.
- SmartieFlow: A collection of tools, integrated with the Eclipse development environment, which ease development and administration tasks and operation of process models.
- SmartFlow4People: Implements a collection of resources that provide a REST interface to the SmartFlow-Engine, ensuring that both the engine itself and executed processes can be easily used by all types of user. It also eases the development of tools, gadgets and interaction interfaces.
- SmartFlow-BAM: Used to monitor SmartFlow-Engine processes - A collection of gadgets, built using SmartFlow4People, compatible with the iGoogle mashup platform.
Introduction
The goal of the Workflow Platform project is to define a platform that eases the development of transaction systems that:
- Automate processes related to the electronic transaction of administrative records in the Public Administrations,
- Automate processes related to the management of applications or claims by end users in private companies.
The project involves innovation aimed at developing technology that not only eases the construction of low-cost transaction systems in record time, but also enables the agile and flexible adaptation of these systems to new processes that need to be automated or to changes in automated processes.
This innovation covers prospecting and selecting additional technologies that should be integrated with the technologies developed as part of the project to, together, set up a comprehensive platform that meets all the needs associated with the development of transaction systems (particularly, technologies for developing web gateways and orchestrating services). This platform will underpin the commercialization of highly competitive solutions targeting both the public and the private sector.
Finally, the project involves developing demos to illustrate the platform’s applicability and goal attainment in terms of target functionality (including the above flexibility issues), reliability and performance.
In the public and private sector, the Workflow Platform can develop the concept of the electronic single window for external clients (citizen or company in the Public Administrations) and, internally the concept of paperless office, as it allows administrative processes to be transacted entirely by electronic means. The platform allows different departments or organizations, with their respective roles and responsibilities, in both sectors to intervene in the transaction processes. It also allows the integration with the organization’s existing systems and external systems, including payment or digital signature resources. Both the interaction with clients (individuals or companies) and the interaction with the personnel responsible for managing the transaction processes is channelled through special-purpose web gateways.
The provision of a platform like this will enable the development of electronic services for citizens that improve their quality of life and their relationship with the Public Administrations. Likewise, it will enable companies to boost their competitiveness by further automating customer relations management (CRM) processes, improving both the time-to-market associated with the range of products and services on offer and post-sales services, which is a key customer loyalty factor.
The key capabilities of the platform are based on the use of a processes engine, or workflow engine, on which the procedure is modelled. This engine is responsible for “moving” the procedure on through all the different stages it can go through and coordinating what actions can be taken on it at each stage and who is authorized to take them.
The system will cover the entire electronic records transaction cycle: supply of forms, form filling, submission, legally valid signature, if applicable, steps taken by the administration or company transacting the record, notifications, follow-up, electronic payment, decisions, etc. The administration or company will have access to a set of tools for managing the administrative tasks, appointing employees/organizations to decide on procedure, set up indicators to monitor transactions and allow the employees responsible for the transactions to deal with them electronically.
