Workflow refers to software that
organizes and controls the tasks, resources and rules required to
complete a business process. It is the component that allows the
users to be organized in an order for the document distribution. The
workflow allows routing of documents. The users of physically
separated locations can also participate in the workflow.
Workflow products enable organizations
to develop dynamic workflow processes, beginning the process of
developing collaborative processing within specific departments or
companies as a whole. Business process re-engineering has become an
imperative in this world of increased global competitiveness. In
order to stay viable, companies must examine all of their processes,
and where appropriate, streamline and improve them to reflect the
changing nature of doing business in these modern times.
Advantages of Workflow:
Cost Reduction
Reduced cycle times
Increased Productivity
Significant Return on Investment
Flexibility in Design/Implementation
Reduced Development time
Higher customer and associate satisfaction
Fingertip access to data
Leverage client/server and web technology
Maintain competitive advantage
Typical Workflow Applications
Workflow management covers a large
area of work management applications. Anyplace which requires individuals to co-operate to achieve a common
goal according to a predefined procedure, workflow management is the
appropriate tool. Some of the examples of workflow applications in
the various departments of a typical organization are as follows:
Operations
Production processes
Planning processes
ISO 9000 processes
QC and QA processes
Service requests
Flow charting
Online services
Remote activities, offices and teleworking processes