Workflow Engine for Enterprise Process: System Integration via XML Web Service

ABSTRACT To understand the impacts of business process change or organization restructure though the workflow technology, many enterprises attempt to apply imported software package to manage organization's processes. This includes not only the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) but also the Human Resource Management (HRM). Apparently, workflow management is necessary for the organizations to efficiently handle each business transaction. Besides, it also helps employees to understand their own working process in the same direction. Limitation of the imported software package that neither supports the workflow management nor any business processes adaptation. In this paper, we propose the workflow application for resource organization. The application is a design tool that allows users to create standard workflows, which automatically adjusts parameters of the software package. It is developed using web--services technologies that facilitates multiplatform operation. The proposed research work is a joint project between academia and a consultant company. It is anticipated that the proposed tool can efficiently ease the previous limitations. INTRODUCTION In recently year, the software architecture in an enterprise environment has been a challenge to dynamic and cost-effective requirements of the market. To this end, the development of a reliable system with appropriate technologies is vital. Many enterprise attempts to manage their organizations based upon their business processes. Besides, related policies are issued to control data flow and work processes. Reference 6: (Sarkis J., Talluri S., 2004); it is found, however, that their management is still inefficient. Leading software packages can be employed to solve the problems in terms of process standardization, applying best practice, and shortening time for implementation. Currently, there exists wide range of the packages covering essential functions such as Production Planning, Logistic Management and Human Resources Management (HRM). Although the best practice case and standard software can be applied, implementation of the system in most organizations still needs customization of both business process and software itself. Today, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is commonly used in many organizations. Reference 4: (Coest and Lankhprst, 2004); it can significantly improve processes planning and managing resources of the organizations. Each ERP module is responsible for a specific function, such as Human Resource (HR), financial, marketing, etc., that is consistent to the business process the organizations reference 8: (T. Davenport, 1998). Of interest especially nowadays is the HR system that is important in modern organizations. The system is a key module in ERP that keeps the personnel data and controls the level of an employee. In addition, it contains the data that is used to adjust potential and track performance of the employee. The information from the HR system is sent to other modules for processing. The HR system manages the system knowledge to be updated with a new technology. Moreover, it facilitates organization strategic planning in HR management. In particular, it determines an appropriate qualification for each position and allocates an optimal man-power for present and future work-load. Besides, it defines the tendency of practice and utilizes the human resource in the most beneficial way for the organization. The application assists in determining the standard of personnel data in the organization. For example, an organization, which has several offices, may use the system to strengthen the efficiency in working process each office and announce the welfare details to all of employees in the organization. So far, many organizations have attempted to design and develop workflow that suits their own work so that theirs employees can understand the business process in the same direction through the software package. …