JPH10320475A - Work flow management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a work flow management system which eliminates the need to previously store and manage a series of resources such as an operation processing program on an information processor side. SOLUTION: A work flow server device 12 holds work flow management information and various resource information in storage means 5 and 6 to manages respective resource and their versions. Information processor 1 connected by a network 11 performs a operation processing by receiving automatic delivery of operation APs(application program) needed for the corresponding operation process and resources of a messaging system at the point when a predetermined operation processing is generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a workflow management system for managing tasks, and more particularly, to a workflow management system for linking individual tasks executed by a number of persons in a number of information processing apparatuses connected via a network. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of network systems such as LANs and WANs for interconnecting information processing devices such as workstations (WS) and personal computers (PC) to mediate data transmission and reception, each information processing device has In addition to being used individually as a stand-alone, a business processing form of performing a business while exchanging mail, documents, business-related data, and the like between a plurality of information processing apparatuses is increasing.

As the above-mentioned business processing mode, a workflow flow involving data exchange is defined in advance, and the business management is performed based on this definition, so that workflow management for efficiently coordinating the individual businesses. Systems are gaining attention.

[0004] In such a workflow management form, a specific manager defines in advance the entire flow of a predetermined task as a workflow, and then the persons in charge of the individual tasks mutually interact based on the defined workflow. A management form is adopted in which work is performed while cooperating, and an administrator grasps the progress of each task.

[0005] As one of known examples of the above-mentioned workflow management system, there is a workflow management system described in JP-A-8-36538.

In this publication, a file server device holds workflow management information, instruction inquiry information, and data for each person in charge, and a plurality of information processing devices used by each person in charge have a workflow execution control function. , A workflow management system that also stores programs such as business processing APs (Application Programs) and messaging systems, and communicates with the file server device and other information processing devices used by other persons as necessary, and performs communication processing. Is described.

[0007]

In the conventional workflow management system, since a large number of processing programs, business programs, and the like are stored in advance in each information processing device, each of the information processing devices has It is necessary to introduce and set up individual processing programs and business APs in advance, which makes it difficult to manage resources and version management, and wastes resources such as storage devices. there were.

Further, since the management system is based on the premise that a processing program required for business execution and a business application program have been introduced and set up in advance, the processing program is stored in each information processing apparatus at the time of business processing. And business A
When P does not exist, there is a problem in that the execution of business is delayed.

An object of the present invention is to execute a series of resources such as a processing program, a business AP, and instructions related to the business in the execution stage of each business that is cooperatively managed based on a workflow. An object of the present invention is to provide a workflow management system capable of batch distribution to an information processing device.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a workflow management system according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected to a workflow server apparatus via a network are configured based on a predetermined workflow. In a workflow management system that executes individual business processes, the information processing device receives a distribution of resources necessary for business execution such as a business program, a business process AP, and data from the workflow server device when a business occurs. Means. Further, the workflow server device performs management and version management of resources such as business programs, business processing APs, and data.

Further, in the workflow management system according to the present invention, the workflow server device stores workflow management information for performing workflow control and resources associated with the workflow management information; Resource delivery means for delivering the resource to each information processing device based on the information.

Further, the storage means stores workflow management information for performing communication between the information processing apparatuses and resources such as a business AP for communication, and the information processing apparatus receives the distribution of the resources. It is characterized by performing communication with another information processing device.

According to the above-described means, the workflow server device holds the workflow management information and various resources required by the information processing device, and each information processing device performs pre-processing such as introduction and setup of the resource in advance. When a predetermined business process occurs, resources such as a business program, a business process AP, data, and a messaging system required for executing the business process are automatically delivered from the workflow server device and the business process is performed. Act to perform.

[0014]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a workflow management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, L
It comprises a network 11 such as an AN or WAN, and at least a plurality of information management devices 1 and a workflow server device 12 connected to the network 11 respectively.

The plurality of information management devices 1 are provided with a communication means 2 for collectively communicating with the workflow server device 12 and other information processing devices 1, and interpreting various messages transmitted from the workflow server device 12, A configuration / execution management unit 3 for acquiring resources such as a processing program and a business AP from the workflow server device 12 and performing a series of operations such as configuration management and execution management of resources in the information management device 1. The processing program, business AP
Temporary storage means 4 for temporarily storing (cache) resources such as

On the other hand, the workflow server device 12
Workflow management information storage means 5 described later for storing relationships between tasks and resource information required for each task, and storing contents such as task programs, task APs, and messaging for communications required for each task execution. And a message generating unit 8 for referring to and updating the workflow information stored in the workflow management information storing unit 5 and generating a message to the information processing apparatus 1 based on the workflow information. Execution control means 7 for giving an instruction to the information processing apparatus 1
A resource delivery means 9 for extracting and delivering necessary resources from a resource storage means 6 in response to a request from
And a communication unit 10 for collectively performing communication between the plurality of information processing apparatuses 1.

Here, as the various programs such as the business APs stored in the resource storage means 6, the information processing apparatus 1 accesses the respective means of the workflow server apparatus 12 and sends the program to a server apparatus having other data. And a processing program for performing communication with the server device and other information processing devices, and the like. The processing program and the like are fetched and executed by the information processing device 1 at the start of business processing.

The message generating means 8 dynamically extracts necessary resources and parameters from the workflow information and resource information stored in the workflow management information storage means 5 in response to the instruction, generates a message, and generates a message. An instruction is given to the processing device 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the information processing device and the workflow server device in FIG.

In FIG. 1, the information processing device 1 and the workflow server device 12 are each constituted by a computer device such as a workstation or a personal computer. These computer devices have internal memories 20 and 20 ′ for storing input data, processing data, and the like.
And input units 22, 22 'for inputting data by connecting keyboards 27, 27' and pointing devices 28, 28 'as input devices, and magnetic desk devices 31, 31'.
Alternatively, an external storage unit 26, 26 'for connecting a removable external storage device 34 to store data and the like, and a CRT 29,
29 'or a display unit 24, 24' for displaying on the liquid crystal 33
And output units 25 and 25 'for connecting printers 30 and 30' to print out data and the like, and a communication control unit for communicating with other computer devices via network 11 via network adapters 32 and 32 '. 21, 21 '
And

In this configuration example, the workflow execution control means 7, the message generation means 8 and the resource delivery means 9 shown in FIG. 1 are attached to the processing unit 23 of the workflow server device 12, and the communication means 10 is provided within the device 12. The communication unit 2 is attached to the communication control unit 21, and the communication unit 2
1 ', and the configuration / execution management means 3 is attached to a processing unit 23' in the same apparatus 1.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, the operation of the communication means 10 and 2 in the workflow server device 12 and the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, the workflow server device 1
The telegram received by the communication means 10 in FIG. 2 is constantly monitored by s1 in FIG. When the reception of the message is detected by s1, it is determined by s2 whether or not the communication is within the own workflow server device 12. In the case of the communication within the own workflow server device, the control shifts to s5 and the workflow server device 12 The message is transferred to each means in the above. Also, s
In cases other than the above conditions 2, it is determined in s3 whether the communication is to the information processing apparatus 1. In the case of communication to the information processing apparatus 1, the message is transferred to each information processing apparatus 1 in s4. You.

On the other hand, the communication means 2 in the information processing apparatus 1
The message received at is also monitored constantly at s6 in FIG. If the reception of the message is detected in s6, it is determined in s7 whether or not the communication is to the workflow server device 12. If the communication is to the workflow server device 12, the message is transmitted to the workflow server device 12 in s12. Will be transferred. If the communication is not to the workflow server device 12, it is determined at s8 whether or not the communication is within the own information processing device 1. The message is transferred to each unit in the information processing device 1. If the communication is not within the own information processing apparatus 1, it is determined in s9 whether or not the communication is with the other information processing apparatus 1. The message is transferred to the other information processing device 1.

Next, the operation of the workflow execution control means 7 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In s13, the electronic message transferred from the communication means 10 is constantly monitored. When the reception of the message is detected in s14, it is checked in s19 whether or not the state of the workflow information stored in the workflow management information storage unit 5 needs to be changed.
At 0, the state of the workflow information is updated.

At s15, a change in the state of the workflow information is constantly monitored. If a change in the state of the workflow information is detected at s16, an instruction message to the message generating means 8 is generated at S17. The generated message is transmitted to the communication means 10 in s18.

Next, the operation of the message generating means 8 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

At s21, the electronic message transferred from the communication means 10 is constantly monitored. When the message reception is detected in s22, the necessary resource information is extracted for each workflow information stored in the workflow management information storage unit 5 in s23. In s24, a message to be transmitted to the information processing device 1 is generated based on the extracted information. s25
Then, the generated message is transmitted to the communication unit 10.

Next, the operation of the resource delivery means 9 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

At s26, the electronic message transferred from the communication means 10 is constantly monitored. When the reception of a message is detected in s27, the actual resources stored in the resource storage unit 9 are extracted in s28 based on the contents of the message. In s29, a message to be transmitted to the information processing device 1 is generated based on the extracted information. In s30, the generated message is transmitted to the communication unit 1
Send to 0.

Next, the operation of the configuration / execution management means 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

At s31, the electronic message transferred from the communication means 2 is constantly monitored. When the message reception is detected in s32, in s33, it is determined whether the acquisition is the actual resource or the temporary storage unit 4 in the information processing device 1 or the configuration is being executed at the present time, so that the acquisition is unnecessary. I do.

In s37, the above-described resource requirement check is performed, and in s38, information on the resource that needs to be acquired is generated, and a message to be transmitted to the resource delivery means 9 is generated. s39
Then, the generated message is transmitted to the communication unit 2.

At s34, the real resources are fetched based on the real resource message transmitted from the resource delivery means 9, and at s35, the configuration is changed in the information processing apparatus 1 and the information is temporarily stored in the temporary storage means 4. I do.

In s36, each processing means is executed based on the information of the configuration change and the temporarily stored information in s35.

[0039]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the workflow management information 45 set in the workflow management information storage means 5 shown in FIG. This is information that is set in advance prior to execution of a task based on workflow management.

In FIG. 8, as indicated by reference numeral 46, the workflow management information 45 is associated with the respective node information, and the work flow is set. Also,
As shown as 47, information on resources required for each node is set in association with each node.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the structure of the resource information 48 set in the resource storage means 6 of FIG. The resource information 48 is information that is set in advance before execution of a task based on workflow management.

In FIG. 9, the resource information 48 includes a program name 49, a version 50, a time stamp 51, and an entity 52. The program name 49 is 4 in FIG.
7 and the information of 47 in FIG.
One-to-one correspondence.

The version 50 and the time stamp 51 are
This is information for performing version management for each piece of information set in the resource information 48. The entity 52 stores program files, data, and the like, which are entities of each information set in the resource information 48.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the structure of the temporary storage information 53 set in the temporary storage means 4 of FIG. Temporary storage information 53
Is information dynamically updated when the configuration / execution management means 3 is executed in the workflow execution stage.

In FIG. 10, the temporary storage information 53 includes a program name 54, a version 55, and a time stamp 56.
, Expiration date 57, and entity 58.

The program name 54 is information associated with the above-described program name 49 in FIG. 9 and is in one-to-one correspondence with the program name 49 in FIG.

The version 55 and the time stamp 56 are
This is information for performing version management of each information set in the temporary storage information 53. This information is the resource information 4 in FIG.
8 for matching.

The expiration date 57 is information for managing the expiration date of each piece of information in the temporary storage information 53.

The entity 58 stores program files, data, and the like, which are entities of each information taken from the resource information 48.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of a message 60 to be set and used in each means of FIG. The message 60 includes a transmission destination host 61, a transmission source means 62, a reception destination host 63, a reception destination means 64, and a message 65.

The transmission source host 61 stores the host information of the generation source of the message, and stores the information specifying the workflow server device 12 and each information processing device 1 in FIG.

The transmission source means 62 stores information on each means of generating a message, and stores information specifying each means in FIG.

The destination host 63 stores the host information of the destination of the message, and stores the information specifying the workflow server device 12 and each information processing device 1 in FIG.

The receiving means 64 stores information on each means of the message receiving destination, and stores information specifying each means in FIG.

The message 65 stores a message generated by each means, and stores information such as an instruction and data for each means in FIG.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 8, the workflow management information 45 stores the succession of workflows and the management information required for each node in association with each other. Here, the resource information 47 stores a program for performing a workflow process as the resource 1, a specific application AP1 for performing a business process as the resource 2, and a messaging system for performing e-mail processing and the like as the resource 3.

Now, assuming that control has been transferred to the workflow node 1, the workflow execution control means 7 of the workflow server device 12 executes s13 and s14 in FIG.
, Changes in the workflow state are detected in the workflow state monitoring processing in s15 and s16.
Move on to control of No.17. In S17, a process of generating the telegram shown in FIG. 11 based on the information of 47 in the workflow management information 45 of FIG. 8 is performed. Instructions and instructions for the information processing device 1 to be intended are assembled, and s18
Is transmitted to the communication means 10.

When the message arrives at the information processing apparatus 1 via the network 11, the message is received at s6 of FIG.
Whether or not the message is addressed to itself can be determined by referring to the message receiving host shown in FIG. 11 in the process of s8 via s7.

At s11, the message is transferred to each means of the information processing apparatus. Here, the receiving means 64 shown in FIG.
Is set to transfer a message to the configuration / execution management means 3, and the message is transferred to the composition / execution management means 3.

Next, the configuration / execution management means 3 detects the arrival of the message at s31 and s32 in FIG. 7, and evaluates the content of the message at s33. In this case, since a message for instructing resource acquisition has arrived, a required resource check is performed in s37. The required resource is checked for its existence by the program name 54 in the temporary storage information 53 in FIG. As a result of the determination, at step s38, an acquisition request message for a resource that needs to be captured is created for the resource delivery unit 9 of the workflow server device 12. In s39, the generated message is transmitted to the communication means 2.

In the communication means 2 of the information processing apparatus 1, FIG.
The message received in s6 of (b) is evaluated in s7, and is transferred to the workflow server device 12 in s12. The message arriving at the workflow server device 12 is transmitted to the communication unit 10.
S1 of FIG. 3A showing the flowchart of FIG.
The evaluation is made in step 2 and the data is transferred to the resource delivery means 9 in step s5.

The resource delivery means 9 receives the message in s26 of FIG. 6 showing the processing flowchart, evaluates the message in s27, and in s28, extracts the entity 52 from the resource information 48 based on the acquisition request message from the information processing apparatus 1. Then, in s29, a message to which the program name 49, the version 50, and the time stamp 51 are added is generated. In s30, the generated message is transmitted to the transmission source unit (configuration / execution management unit) of the transmission source host (information processing device).

The communication means 2 receives the message in the same manner as described above and transfers the message to the configuration / execution management means 3 according to the processing flowchart of FIG. The message received by the configuration / execution management means 3 is determined by the same method as described above,
In S33, it is determined that the real resource is configured and executed.
Move to control of 34 or less. In S34, the real resources are taken into the information processing device 1 based on the received message. At the same time, FIG.
Of the temporary storage information 53 shown in FIG. The acquired real resource performs a configuration change process in the information processing device 1 in S35, and the process is executed in S36.

Here, when the acquired and executed real resource is a workflow processing program or the like for updating the workflow management information, communication with the workflow server device 12 can be performed in the same manner as described above.

The workflow server device 12 receives the message in the same manner as described above, and if it is determined in S19 of FIG. 4 that the workflow status has been changed, the workflow status is updated in S20. When the status is updated, a change in the workflow status is detected and determined in S15 and S16, and in S17 and S18, a message is generated and transmitted as described above, and the workflow process is continued.

The flow of S9 and S10 in FIG. 3B is a means for realizing communication between the information processing apparatuses, and is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-36538, “Workflow Management System”. Workflow management information 45, such as communication management means, is a resource for uniformly managing communication processing such as information exchange for sharing images, windows, application programs, and the like performed between the information processing apparatuses and information exchange by e-mail. When the information is allocated to the resource 47, the information is taken into the information processing apparatus and used as communication means at the time of execution.

[0069]

According to the workflow management system of the present invention, each information processing apparatus automatically and dynamically loads various processing programs and business APs required at the time of occurrence of a business from the workflow server apparatus. Therefore, there is no need to prepare in advance to install and set up individual processing programs, business APs and the like in each information processing apparatus in advance, and automation and rationalization of work can be realized.

The configuration management and version management of various processing programs and business APs do not need to be individually performed in each information processing apparatus, and the configuration management and execution management are automatically and dynamically performed at the time of execution. With such a configuration, automation and rationalization of work can be realized in this respect as well.

Further, each individual processing program and business AP
Is acquired only when necessary, and aging of resources by expiration date is enabled, so that the capacity of the storage device occupied by these processing programs and business APs can be reduced.

Also, since various programs can be imported at any time, it is easy to take measures such as additional introduction and setup in the event that introduction or setup omission occurs, and to eliminate stagnation of work in such a situation. Is possible.

[0073]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a workflow management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a workflow server device and an information processing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of communication means 10 and communication means 2 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a workflow execution control unit 7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a message generating means 8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a resource delivery unit 9 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the configuration / execution management means 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an embodiment of workflow management information for controlling the workflow management system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing one embodiment of resource information for controlling the workflow management system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one embodiment of temporary storage information for controlling the workflow management system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a message for controlling the workflow management system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 2, 10 Communication means 3 Configuration / execution management means 4 Temporary storage means 5 Workflow management information storage means 6 Resource storage means 7 Workflow execution control means 8 Message generation means 9 Resource delivery means 11 Network 12 Workflow server device 20, 20 'internal memory 21, 21' communication control unit 22, 22 'input unit 23, 23' processing unit 24, 24 'display unit 25, 25' output unit 26, 26 'external storage unit 27, 27' keyboard 28, 28 'pointing device 29, 29' CRT 30, 30 'printer 31, 31' external storage device 32, 32 'network adapter 33 liquid crystal 34 removable external storage device 45 workflow management information 46 node 47 resources 48 resource information 49, 54 program name 50, 55 barge Down 51 and 56 timestamp 52,58 entity 53 temporarily stores information 57 Expiration 60 message 61 source host 62 source unit 63 destination host 64 receiver unit 65 messages

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A workflow management system in which a plurality of information processing devices connected to a workflow server device via a network execute respective business processes based on a predetermined workflow. A workflow management system, comprising: a configuration / execution management means for receiving resources required for business execution such as a business program, a business processing AP, and data from the workflow server device when they occur. 2. The workflow management system according to claim 1, wherein the workflow server device manages resources and version management of business programs, business processing APs, and data. 3. The workflow server device includes: storage means for storing workflow management information for performing workflow control and resources associated with the workflow management information; 3. The workflow management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a resource delivery unit that delivers the resource to the workflow. 4. The storage means includes: workflow management information for performing communication between information processing apparatuses;
The workflow management system according to claim 3, wherein resources such as P are stored, and the information processing apparatus communicates with another information processing apparatus by receiving the distribution of the resource.