Patent ID: 6526388
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A workflow management system interoperable with other workflow management systems, comprising:store means for storing therein disclosure levels of workflow information for each of the other workflow management systems associated with said workflow management system as a source, the disclosure level of information being determined depending on said each of the other workflow management systems; means for inputting a workflow case to be processed; means for specifying as a destination, another workflow management systems to be associated with said source workflow management system with respect to the workflow case inputted to said input means; means for determining a disclosure level of information to said specified another workflow management system, using the disclosure level stored in said store means; and means for sending information for processing said workflow case to said specified another workflow management system, such that the sent information may be disclosed in said specified another workflow management system at the disclosure level determined by said determining means, wherein said store means stores as the disclosure level, an association level indicating an association between said workflow management system and said workflow management system interoperable therewith, wherein said store means stores a value of said disclosure level as â€œwithin firmâ€  and said sending means sends said information for processing the workflow case in accordance with said â€œwithin firmâ€  disclosure level, wherein said store means stores a value of said disclosure level as â€œrelated firmâ€ , and said sending means sends said information for processing the workflow case in accordance with said â€œrelated firmâ€  disclosure level, wherein said workflow case sent by said sending means includes workflow control data related with workflow control and a pointer to the source system for stored workflow user data not related with the workflow control, and wherein said destination workflow management system uses the pointer to the source system to obtain information from the source system for use with the workflow case.