Business Solutions

and
Workflow Management System
 Need for Cloud-Based Solutions for Business
Applications
1. Cost Efficiency
• Reduced Infrastructure Costs
• Lower Maintenance Costs
2. Scalability and Flexibility
• On-Demand Scalability
• Adaptability
3. Faster Time to Market
• Rapid Deployment
• Collaboration and Innovation
4. Enhanced Productivity
• Access Anywhere
• Automation
 Need for Cloud-Based Solutions for Business
Applications
5. Security and Compliance
• Robust Security
• Compliance
6. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
• Data Backup and Recovery
• Redundancy
7. Competitive Edge
• Innovation Access
• Global Reach
8. Transparency and Control
• Cost Transparency
• Performance Monitoring
Route to cloud computing
(in context of industrialization of IT)
Dynamic ICT Services

• Dynamic ICT (Information and Communication Technology) services refer to IT

solutions that are flexible, scalable, and responsive to the ever-changing needs of
businesses.

• These services are typically delivered through cloud computing, where resources
such as computing power, storage, and software can be provided on-demand and
adjusted dynamically.

• Dynamic ICT services are critical in supporting modern business operations,

especially in fast-paced, highly competitive environments.
Key Features of Dynamic ICT Services:
1. On-Demand Scalability
2. Flexibility and Adaptability
3. Automated Provisioning
4. Pay-As-You-Go Pricing
5. High Availability and Redundancy
6. Global Reach and Local Performance
7. Real-Time Monitoring and Analytics
8. Security and Compliance
Workflow Engine for Cloud
• A workflow engine is a software application or service designed to
automate, manage, and execute a sequence of tasks, steps, or
processes according to defined business rules.
• When implemented in the cloud, a workflow engine provides
significant advantages, including scalability, flexibility, and
accessibility.
• Workflow engines in cloud environments streamline complex
business processes by allowing tasks to be automated and integrated
across different cloud services and applications.
Key Features of Cloud-Based Workflow Engines:

1. Automation of Business Processes

• Orchestrating Tasks
• Task Scheduling
2. Scalability
• Elastic Infrastructure:
• Handling Complex Workflows:
3. Integration with Cloud Services
• Multi-Service Integration
• Hybrid Cloud Workflows:
Key Features of Cloud-Based Workflow Engines:
4. Event-Driven Architecture
• Reactive Processes:
• Microservices Integration:
5. Real-Time Monitoring and Analytics
• Process Tracking:
• Analytics and Reporting:
6. Security and Compliance
• Secure Data Flows
• Compliance
Examples of Cloud Workflow Engines:

1. AWS Step Functions

2. Google Cloud Workflows
3. Microsoft Azure Logic Apps
4. Apache Airflow (Managed Cloud Versions)
Use Cases of Workflow Engines in Cloud:
1. E-Commerce Order Processing
• A workflow engine can automate the process of receiving an order, checking inventory,
processing payment, and updating the shipping status, ensuring that all steps are
completed without manual intervention.
2. Financial Services
• Financial institutions can automate processes like loan approval, customer onboarding, or
fraud detection using cloud-based workflows that trigger tasks based on data inputs or user
actions.
3. Healthcare
• Workflow engines can automate patient data management, such as updating records,
scheduling appointments, and sending reminders, while ensuring compliance with
healthcare regulations.
4. IT Operations
• DevOps teams can use workflow engines to automate the deployment of applications,
perform regular backups, or trigger alerts in case of system failures.
Workflow Management System (WMS)

• A Workflow Management System (WMS) is a software solution designed to

automate, streamline, and manage business processes.
• It enables organizations to define, execute, and monitor workflows, which are
sequences of tasks that need to be completed in a specific order.
• The purpose of a WMS is to enhance productivity, reduce manual errors, improve
transparency, and ensure compliance with organizational policies.
 Key Features of a Workflow Management System
• Process Automation
• A WMS automates repetitive tasks and sequences them according to predefined
business rules. This eliminates the need for manual intervention, ensuring that tasks
are executed efficiently and consistently.
• Task Assignment and Routing
• Tasks in a workflow are assigned to the appropriate team members or systems based
on predefined rules. The WMS routes tasks to the right people at the right time,
ensuring that work moves through the organization efficiently.
• Workflow Design and Customization
• Users can design and customize workflows using visual interfaces or flowchart-like
tools. Workflows can be simple, with only a few steps, or complex, involving multiple
decision points, dependencies, and parallel tasks.
• Process Tracking and Monitoring
• The WMS tracks the progress of each workflow in real-time. Users can monitor the
status of tasks, see which steps are completed, and identify bottlenecks in the
process
Key Features of a Workflow Management System

• Business Rules and Decision Points

• Workflow management systems allow the incorporation of business rules and
decision points. For example, a decision point could determine the next step in a
workflow based on data inputs or conditions.
• Notifications and Alerts
• The system sends notifications and alerts to users when tasks are assigned, deadlines
are approaching, or issues arise. This helps ensure that tasks are completed on time
and that any delays are addressed promptly.
• Integration with Other Systems
• A WMS can integrate with other business systems such as CRM, ERP, email platforms,
databases, and third-party APIs. This allows workflows to span multiple systems,
streamlining processes across departments.
Key Features of a Workflow Management System
• Collaboration Tools
• A WMS facilitates collaboration by enabling teams to work together on tasks, share
information, and communicate directly within the system. It can also support
approval workflows where multiple stakeholders need to sign off on a task.
• Security and Access Control
• Workflow management systems offer role-based access control (RBAC), ensuring
that only authorized users can access certain tasks or workflows. Sensitive workflows
can be restricted to certain individuals or teams to maintain confidentiality.
• Analytics and Reporting
• A WMS provides analytics and reporting tools that offer insights into workflow
performance. Metrics like task completion times, workflow duration, and bottlenecks
help businesses optimize processes and improve efficiency.
Common Use Cases of Workflow Management Systems
• Employee Onboarding
• A WMS automates the onboarding process for new employees by coordinating tasks
such as document submission, account setup, and training schedule, ensuring that all
necessary steps are completed in a timely manner.
• Expense Approval
• Workflow systems can automate the approval of expenses, routing requests to the
appropriate managers for review, and ensuring that approvals are completed before
payments are made.
• Leave Management
• A WMS can manage the leave request and approval process, ensuring that leave
requests are routed to the correct approvers and that the system tracks employee leave
balances.
• Customer Support
• In customer service, workflow systems ensure that customer requests are routed to the
appropriate agents, follow-up actions are assigned, and cases are resolved in a timely
manner.
Architecture of Workflow
management System
User Interface (Top Layer)

Workflow Planner, Application Composition, Web Portal:

• These are the interfaces through which users interact with the system.
• They allow users to create, submit, and monitor workflows, making it easy to
define what tasks need to be done and how they are connected.
Engine (Middle Layer)
The core of the system that processes workflows. It consists of several key parts:

• Workflow Submission Handler: This component takes the workflow from the user
interface and prepares it for execution.
• Workflow Language Parser: This interprets the language or format the workflow is
written in (e.g., XML, BPEL), translating it into something the system can understand and
execute.
• Tasks, Parameters, Dependencies: These components manage the specific tasks, their
inputs (parameters), and how they are related (dependencies).
• Workflow Coordinator, Scheduler, and Dispatcher: These components manage the
execution of tasks. The Coordinator ensures everything is running smoothly, the
Scheduler decides when tasks should be executed, and the Dispatcher assigns tasks to
the right resources.
Plugin Components (Right Side)

• These are additional services that the WMS can use to manage resources, track data, and
integrate with other systems.
• Resource Discovery: Helps find the necessary resources (such as data, storage, or
computing power) required to run workflows. It uses catalogs and replication services to
manage these resources.
• Data Movement: Handles how data moves between different parts of the system or to
external services (using HTTP, FTP, etc.).
• Monitoring Interface: Provides a way to monitor workflows, either through a graphical
user interface (GUI) or text-based interface, helping administrators track progress.
• Measurements (Energy Consumption, Resource Utilization): Tracks how much energy
and resources (like CPU, storage) are being used during workflow execution.
Lower Layer (Market and Cloud Integration)
• Market Maker and Scalable Application Manager: These components help in allocating
resources in a flexible, market-driven way, allowing the system to scale up or down as
needed.
• Cloud and InterCloud: These components allow the system to interact with cloud
services, ensuring that the workflows can use cloud resources efficiently, including both
public and private clouds.