JP2008097243A - Workflow control system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent lock waiting from being caused in updating a work table even when a large number of documents exist on a flow. <P>SOLUTION: In one or more tables 18 constituting a table group, a series of record groups based on an application ID are locked, and among available work table groups 1201, one work table group (for example, a work table group 1201-1) is generated. The record groups locked in the tables 18 are stored in one or more work tables constituting the generated work table group. Then, in each of the work tables constituting the generated work table group, addition, update, or deletion of a record is carried out. Subsequently, added, updated, or deleted records of one or more work tables constituting the work table group are stored respectively in one or more tables 18 constituting the table group, and lock of a series of record groups is released. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a workflow control system and a workflow control program.

  Various workflow systems for electronically circulating application forms and making payments within a company have been proposed. In the workflow system, information of employees with approval authority is stored in a table according to the approval order, that is, the route of recollection, and the application documents are sent to employees according to the route of recollection stored in the table. It is configured. Patent Document 1 specifies a link table and a route table that defines the order of document recollection for each route code and a document type so as to flexibly cope with a change in a recourse route due to personnel changes or the like. Disclosed is a workflow control system including a route selection table in which a document type identification code and a route code are associated, and an assignment table in which each member identification code is associated with link data. Yes. According to the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, by changing / changing the member identification code and link data of the assignment table, the reroute route can be changed due to personnel changes without changing other tables. It becomes possible to cope with.

Further, in Patent Document 2, a meeting information table storing records including information identifying a meeting person, a meeting order ID for identifying the meeting order, and an authority type code indicating the authority type of the meeting person, and an adjacent meeting order ID It is possible to add reconcilers by inserting a record in the reconstitution information table and updating the reconcilation order concatenation table as necessary. A possible flow control system is disclosed. As described above, in the workflow control system, the circulation flow including the reconcilor and the order of reconcilations can be changed in accordance with the organization change or according to the request of the reconcilor.
JP 2003-114967 A JP 2005-284765 A

  Also in the flow control systems shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the table needs to be updated when the reconstitution flow is changed. For example, in the technique shown in Patent Document 2, the addition and change of the contributor or the change of the order of reconcilation updates the reconstitution information table and the reconference order concatenation table.

  In addition, during a normal round-trip, a table is used for each document that includes a status indicating the order in which the relevant document is currently located. This table is used for the operations of the approver and the approver. Therefore, the status of the record in the document table is changed.

Conventionally, when updating the table according to the above-described change of the circulation flow or changing the status of the document table in the circulation, the applicant, the approver, or the authorizer operates the input device of the client to perform the circulation. In the workflow control system connected to the terminal device via the network in response to changing the order of recollections or instructing application or approval, for example, in order to eliminate the update of data by other transactions, Once the table or table record to be updated is locked, the following processing is executed.
(1) The workflow control system creates a work table on the storage device for the table to be processed, and adds a record about a new contributor and the order of the replay for the work table, or in the corresponding record. Update the status value.
(2) Next, the workflow control system rewrites the updated work table record to the original table (actual table).

  As described above, after the original table record is updated, the lock is released and the update of the table record by another transaction is permitted. As the number of documents existing on the flow increases (that is, as the number of users of the workflow system increases), other transactions frequently become in a state of waiting for a lock due to a lock associated with a table update related to a certain transaction. there is a possibility.

  In particular, the table or record lock during the operations (1) and (2) is a bottleneck.

  The present invention provides a system and program that realizes smooth flow control without waiting for a lock in updating a work table even when the number of users increases and the number of documents existing on the flow increases. With the goal.

An object of the present invention is to provide an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information indicating a member to be circulated for the application and the order of the circulation, information for identifying a member for which some action is required for the application, Including a table group consisting of one or more tables having records including: and specifying the application form data identified by the application form ID according to the order of recitation based on the records of the one or more tables constituting the table group A workflow control server that circulates the application by sending it over the network to the client of the member,
In order to control the update of the record of the table specified by the application form ID in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID from the client, Table control means that can generate a plurality of work table groups composed of the above tables;
In accordance with reception of an instruction to add, update, or delete a member from the client, a new member is added between adjacent members in the order of reconstitution in one or more tables constituting the table group. In the one or more tables, the record to be added and its position, the record to be updated, and its position in the one or more tables are received. Or a table management means for specifying the record to be deleted and its position,
The table control means is
According to the reception of the information specifying the application form ID, in one or more tables constituting the table group, a series of record groups based on the received information is locked,
One of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated is generated, and a record group locked by each of the one or more tables is stored in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. And
Based on information indicating the record to be added and its position, the record to be updated and its position, or the record to be deleted and its position in the one or more tables from the table management means Add, update, and delete records in each of the worktables that make up the worktable group.
Each of the one or more work tables constituting the work table group stores records added, updated or deleted in one or more tables constituting the table group,
After that, it is achieved by a workflow control server configured to release a lock of a series of record groups in one or more tables constituting the table group.

In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information indicating a member to whom the application is to be circulated and the order in which the application is to be circulated, and information for identifying a member for which some action is required for the application. And a table group consisting of one or more tables having records including the application form data specified by the application form ID in the order of recitation based on the records of the one or more tables constituting the table group Therefore, a workflow control server that circulates the application by sending it to the identified member client via the network,
In order to control the update of the record of the table specified by the application form ID in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID from the client, The table control means configured from the above table and capable of generating a plurality of work table groups, and the application specified by the application ID from the client, according to reception of an action including application or approval, the table Referring to one or more tables that make up the group, in the order of reconsideration, identify the member who is required to take the next action for the application form, and identify the member for which some action is required for the application form in the record of the table Workflow progress processor that identifies the record that should be updated A stage,
The table control means is
According to the reception of the information specifying the application form ID, in one or more tables constituting the table group, a series of record groups based on the received information is locked,
One of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated is generated, and a record group locked by each of the one or more tables is stored in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. And
Work pieces that constitute the generated work table group based on the information of the record to be updated in the one or more tables from the workflow progress processing means, the information specifying the member for which some action is required for the application form. Update the record in each of the tables,
Storing updated records of each of the one or more work tables constituting the work table group in one or more tables constituting the table group;
After that, it is achieved by a workflow control server configured to release a lock of a series of record groups in one or more tables constituting the table group.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the record of one or more tables constituting the table group includes an active member flag indicating that a member related to the record should take some action, and the action is ended. An action end flag indicating that, in one or more tables constituting the table group, the workflow progress processing means identifies a record in which an active member flag and / or an action end flag should be updated,
The table control means is configured to update an active member flag and / or an action end flag of the specified record in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. 2. The workflow control server according to 2.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the table group requires an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information for identifying a member to circulate the application, and some action on the application. A member table having a record including information for specifying a member, the application form ID, information for specifying a start member that precedes two adjacent members in the order of reconsideration, and information for specifying a subsequent end member A member linked table having a record containing
The table control means is configured to generate a work table group including the work tables of the member table and the member connection table as one of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated. The workflow control server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the workflow control server is provided.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the table group includes an application ID that specifies an application to be circulated, information that specifies a member to which the application is to be circulated, and a constant to which the member belongs. In a member table having a record including information specifying a family that is a collection of members and information specifying a member for which some action is required for the application, the application ID, and two members adjacent in the order of reconsideration A member connection table having a record including information specifying a preceding start member and information specifying a subsequent end member, the application form ID, information specifying the family, and some action is required for the application form A family table containing information identifying the family to which the member The includes a application ID, the information identifying the start families preceding in adjacent two families in Kaigi order families coupling table having a record including the information specifying the end family subsequent,
A work table group in which the table control means includes each work table of the member table, the member connection table, the family table, and the family connection table as one of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated. The workflow control server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the workflow control server is configured to generate.

  Also, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the table control means, for a session between the client and the control server, the plurality of work table groups that can be generated based on a session ID assigned by the control server. 6. The workflow control server according to claim 1, wherein any one work table group is generated.

Further, the object of the present invention is to provide an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information indicating a member to whom the application is to be circulated and the order in which the application is circulated, and information for identifying a member for which some action is required for the application. And a table group consisting of one or more tables having records including the application form data specified by the application form ID in the order of recitation based on the records of the one or more tables constituting the table group Therefore, in the workflow control server that circulates the application by sending it to the client of the identified member via the network, the workflow control server
In order to control the update of the record of the table specified by the application form ID in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID from the client, A table control step that can generate a plurality of work table groups composed of the above tables, and
In accordance with reception of an instruction to add, update, or delete a member from the client, a new member is added between adjacent members in the order of reconstitution in one or more tables constituting the table group. In the one or more tables, the record to be added and its position, the record to be updated, and its position in the one or more tables are received. Alternatively, a table management step for specifying a record to be deleted and its position is executed, and
In the workflow control server,
Locking a series of record groups based on the received information in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID;
One of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated is generated, and a record group locked by each of the one or more tables is stored in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. And steps to
Based on information indicating the record to be added and its position, the record to be updated and its position, or the record to be deleted and its position in the one or more tables from the table management means A step of adding, updating, and deleting records in each of the work tables constituting the work table group;
Storing each added, updated or deleted record of one or more work tables constituting the work table group in one or more tables constituting the table group;
Thereafter, a step of releasing the lock of a series of record groups in one or more tables constituting the table group is executed.

In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information indicating a member to whom the application is to be circulated and the order in which the application is to be circulated, and information for identifying a member for which some action is required for the application. And a table group consisting of one or more tables having records including the application form data specified by the application form ID in the order of recitation based on the records of the one or more tables constituting the table group Therefore, in the workflow control server that circulates the application by sending it to the client of the identified member via the network, the workflow control server
In order to control the update of the record of the table specified by the application form ID in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID from the client, A table control step that can generate a plurality of work table groups composed of the above tables, and
With respect to the application specified by the application ID from the client, referring to one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of an action including application or approval, the application is determined in the order of reconsideration. Next, a member for which an action is required is specified, and in the record of the table, a workflow progress processing unit for specifying a record for updating information for specifying a member for which an action is required for an application form is executed, and
In the workflow control server,
Locking a series of record groups based on the received information in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID;
One of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated is generated, and a record group locked by each of the one or more tables is stored in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. And steps to
Work pieces that constitute the generated work table group based on the information of the record to be updated in the one or more tables from the workflow progress processing means, the information specifying the member for which some action is required for the application form. Updating each record in each of the tables;
Storing each updated record of each of the one or more work tables constituting the work table group in one or more tables constituting the table group;
Thereafter, a step of releasing the lock of a series of record groups in one or more tables constituting the table group is executed.

In a preferred embodiment, a record of one or more tables constituting the table group indicates an active member flag indicating that a member related to the record should take some action, and that the action has ended. Including an action end flag,
In the workflow progress processing step, causing the workflow control server to execute a step of identifying a record in which an active member flag and / or an action end flag should be updated in one or more tables constituting the table group; and
In the workflow control server,
The step of updating the active member flag and / or the action end flag of the specified record is executed in one or more work tables constituting the work table group.

In another preferred embodiment, the table group specifies an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information for identifying a member to circulate the application, and a member for which an action is required for the application. A member table having a record including information to be recorded, and a record including the application ID, information for specifying a start member preceding in two adjacent members in the order of reconsideration, and information for specifying a subsequent end member A member concatenation table having
A step of generating a work table group including the work tables of the member table and the member connection table as any one of a plurality of work table groups that can be generated in the workflow control server is executed. Let

In still another preferred embodiment, the table group includes an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information for identifying a member to be circulated for the application, and a set of certain members to which the member belongs. A member table having a record including information for identifying a family that is a body and information for identifying a member for whom an action is required for the application, the application ID, and a start preceding two adjacent members in the order of reconsideration A member connection table having a record including information for specifying a member and information for specifying a subsequent end member, the information for specifying the application form ID, the information for specifying the family, and a member for which some action is required for the application form. A family table including information identifying the family to which the Includes a write ID, the information identifying the start families preceding the two families which are adjacent in Kaigi order, the family connection table having a record including the information specifying the end family subsequent,
A work table group including, as one work table group among a plurality of work table groups that can be generated in the workflow control server, the member table, the member connection table, the family table, and the family connection table. The step of generating is executed.

  In a preferred embodiment, in the table control step, the workflow control server can generate a plurality of sessions between the client and the control server based on a session ID assigned by the control server. A step of generating any one of the work table groups is executed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system and program that realizes smooth flow control without waiting for a lock even when the number of users increases and the number of documents existing on the flow increases. Become.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including a workflow control server according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a workflow control server (hereinafter also simply referred to as “control server”) 10 includes clients 14-1, 14-2,... Via a network 12 such as a LAN or WAN. It can be connected. In the present embodiment, the control server 10 is used by company employees to circulate application forms that require application or approval. Each of the clients 14-1, 14-2,... Is used by employees, accesses the control server 10 via the network 12, receives application form data, and inputs them into predetermined items of the application form At the same time, it is possible to perform necessary processing on the application form, such as application and approval. In the following description, a person who operates the client 14 to create an application form or who applies or approves an application form is simply referred to as an “employee” unless the job title is particularly limited.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control server 10 stores a master database (DB) 16 that stores various masters that are definition information related to employees, departments, positions, and the like belonging to a company, and various tables related to applications to be circulated. Table DB18 is provided. The masters and tables stored in the master DB 16 and the table DB 18 will be described in detail later. A work table used when updating the table is generated in the storage device of the control server 10. In the present embodiment, the storage device physically includes a memory such as a hard disk device or a RAM of the control server 10.

  In response to an instruction from the client 14 via the network, the control server 10 stores a table management unit 20 that instructs a DB control unit 24 (to be described later) to generate and update records of various tables and the table DB 18. With reference to the records in the table, the application is circulated according to the order of refusal (that is, the flow is advanced), and the transaction is controlled based on instructions from the table management unit 20 and the flow management unit 22, And a DB control unit 24 that generates a work table in the storage device and realizes record update of the table. The control server 10 also includes a user interface (I / F) 26 that generates an image to be displayed on the screen of the display device of the client 14, transmits the image to the client 14, and accepts an instruction from the client 14. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of processing in the control server 10 according to the present embodiment, and masters and tables stored in the master DB 16 and the table DB 18. As shown in FIG. 2, in the control server 10, the employee operates the client 14 to log in (step 201), refers to the image displayed on the screen of the display device of the client 14, and submits the application form. Create (step 202). When the application form is completed, the application form data (records of various tables) is stored in a table in the table DB 18 in accordance with the operation of the client 14 by the employee (step 203). Steps 201 to 203 are an outline of processing executed in response to the creation of an application form by an employee.

  On the other hand, when the employee approves or approves the application, in response to the operation of the client 14 of the employee, the control server 10 reads the data of the existing application from the table of the table DB 18 and It is displayed on the screen of the display device (step 211). The employee refers to the application form displayed on the screen of the display device of the client 14, and if the application form can be approved or approved, the employee operates the input device and inputs an approval or approval instruction. In response to this, the control server 10 generates a record of a necessary table in the table DB 18 or updates the record (step 212). These processes in the control server 10 will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, for example, the master DB 16 is an employee master 101, a department master 102, a title master 103, a role master 104, an assignment master 105, a document master 106, a route master 107, and a status master. 108 and action master 109 are stored. The table DB 18 stores a real application form table 151, a history table 152, a family table 153, a member table 154, a family connection table 155, a member connection table 156, and an attached document table 157.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of items of each record of the master stored in the master DB 16. As shown in FIG. 3A, the record of the employee master has items of an employee code, an employee name, and a login ID. As shown in FIG. 3B, the department master record has items of department code and department name. As shown in FIG.3 (c), the title master record has items of title code, title class, and title. As shown in FIG. 3D, the role master record has items of a role code and a role name. As shown in FIG. 3E, the assignment master record has an employee code, a department code, a post code, and a role code.

  When logging in, the control server 10 refers to the employee master, and the employee code and ID entered by the employee operating the client 14 and the record specified by the entered employee code stored in the employee master The login ID inside is compared. Also, the assignment master record stores a department, job title and role of an employee in association with each other. Therefore, in the processing of the control server 10, it is possible to first specify the employee master, department master, post master, or role master record from the assignment master record by referring to the assignment master.

  In the present embodiment, the master DB 16 further includes a document master, a root master, an authority master, a status master, an action master, and the like. As shown in FIG. 3F, the document master has items of a document code, a document classification code, a document name, and a document data format code. As shown in FIG. 3G, the record of the route master has items of a route code, a route name, and a document classification code. As shown in FIG. 3 (h), the record of the authority master has items of an authority code and an authority name.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 3 (i), the status master record has items of status code, document classification code, status type code, and status name, and as shown in FIG. The record has items of action code, document classification code, action type code, action name, and post-action status code.

  The items of the master record described above are merely examples, and it goes without saying that each master may include items other than the items shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when an employee operates the input device of the client 14 and inputs necessary information, the control server 10 generates records of various tables necessary to circulate a document, Records of the various generated tables are stored in the table DB 18.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing items of records in the table stored in the table DB 18. As shown in FIG. 4A, the record of the actual application form table includes an application form ID, a document code, a status code, a header employee code, a header department code, a header post code, a drafter employee code, a drafter department code, And, it has an item of drafter title code. As shown in FIG. 4B, the record in the history table has items of application ID, history ID, employee code, department code, post code, authority code, action code, and action execution date and time. As shown in FIG. 4C, the record in the family table has items of application form ID, family ID, active family flag, and action end flag. As shown in FIG. 4D, the record of the member table includes items of application ID, family ID, member ID, active member flag, action end flag, authority code, employee code, department code, post code, and role code. Have As shown in FIG. 4 (e), the family connection table has items of application form ID, start family ID, and end family ID. As shown in FIG. 4F, the member connection table has items of application ID, family ID, start member ID, and end member ID. As shown in FIG. 4G, the attached document table (f) has items of application ID, attached document ID, file name, attached file, and attached employee code. Note that the items of the records in the table described above are merely examples, and it goes without saying that each table may include items other than the items shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4G, the key item of the record of each table is the application form ID, and the record in each table can be specified by the application form ID. There is only one record in the actual application form table for each application form. A record of the actual application form table can identify an application form created and circulated by a certain employee (drafter). The record of the history table stores the action (action) of the employee who has been approved or approved.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the order of reconsideration of application forms specified by the application form ID is specified by the records of the family table, member table, family connection table, and member connection table. As will be described in detail later, in the present embodiment, one or more families and members within the family are provided in order to define the order of reconsideration. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of the order of reconsideration of a certain application form. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, there are three families (“family 0” to “family 2”). “Family 0” has “Applicant A” as “Member 0”, “Family 1” has “Approver B” as “Member 0”, and “Approved as“ Member 1 ”. "Family C" exists, and "Family 2" has "Approver E" as "Member 0". FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a record portion of the member table and the family table representing the order of the remuneration illustrated in FIG. The application ID is not shown because it is common to all records. In addition, items that are not particularly necessary for understanding the order of reconsideration are not shown.

  The member table stores records including the family IDs, member IDs, and the like of employees that exist in the order of reconsideration. For example, it can be seen that the record indicated by reference numeral 601 is “member 0” of “family 0”. In FIG. 6A, AMF represents an active member flag, and FMF represents an action end flag. These flags will be described later. In the family table, each family record includes an AFF (active family flag) and an FFF (action end flag). In FIG. 6A, the family table record for “family 0” is indicated by reference numeral 621, and the corresponding member table record is indicated by reference numeral 601. A family table record for “family 1” is indicated by reference numeral 622, and a corresponding member table record is indicated by reference numeral 602. Further, a family table record for “family 2” is indicated by reference numeral 623, and a corresponding member table record is indicated by reference numeral 603.

  Although not shown in FIG. 6A, records of the family connection table and the member connection table are also generated in order to represent the order of reconstitution in FIG. 5A. The “start family ID” in the record of the family connection table indicates the family ID of the start side (upstream side) family among the two connected families. The “end family ID” indicates the family ID of the end (downstream) family of the two families to be linked. In the example shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 6A, the family connection table includes a record in which “start family ID” is “0” and “end family ID” is “1”, and “ A record in which the “start ID” is “1” and the “end family ID” is “2” is included.

  Similarly, “start member ID” in the record of the member connection table indicates the member ID of the start side (upstream side) member among the two members to be connected. The “end member ID” indicates a member ID of an end side (downstream side) member among the two members to be connected.

  In the following, referring to FIG. 2 and the like, the control server according to the present embodiment is used to create and apply for an application for reconsideration, as well as approval and approval processing by an employee with authorization and approval authority. An outline will be described.

  The employee who becomes the applicant logs in by operating the client 14 and inputting the login ID. At the time of login, the control server 10 refers to the employee master 101, finds a record related to the employee who has logged in, and collates the input login ID with the login ID in the record of the employee master 101 to log in. Determine whether or not. In response to the operation of the client 14 by the employee, the control server 10 obtains a predetermined document code from the document master 106 and a record from the route master 107 and creates an initial screen including the document. Send to client 14. The employee operates the client 14 and specifies the employee to be circulated based on the record information of the route master. The control server 10 may present information of other employees who should circulate the document to the client 14 by referring to the assignment master 105 or the like according to an instruction from the client 14.

  When the document to be applied for, the employee to be reconciled, and the information on the order of reconfirmation are determined, the actual application form table 151, the family table 153, the member table 154, and the family connection table based on the input from the employee and the reference result of the master 155 and member link table 156 records are generated. Here, the actual application form table 151 identifies an application form. The family table 153, the member table 153, the family connection table 155, and the member connection table 156 specify the order of reconsideration and the application form being reconsidered. Status (who is currently approved or approved and who is waiting for approval).

  Further, if there is an attached document in the application form, a record of the attached document table 156 is also generated. On the other hand, when the record of the actual application form table is generated, the record of the history table 152 is not generated, and when the application form is applied for and approved or approved, the control server 10 makes the history table 152. Records are generated.

  The flow progress processing unit 22 refers to the family table 153, the member table 154, the family connection table 155, and the member connection table 156, identifies the employee who should be requested for approval or settlement next in the recollection, and send mail.

  The employee who has received the mail operates the client 14 to access the control server 10 and gives an instruction to the control server 10 to acquire information on an application form to be approved or approved. In response to this, the application form data shown in the record of the actual application form table 151 is displayed on the screen of the display device of the client 14 (step 211), and the approval or approval by the employee is urged.

  Upon receiving approval or approval by the employee, the control server 10 updates the records of the actual application form table, family table, member table, etc. according to the approval or approval, and generates a record of the history table regarding the approved or approved employee. To do.

  As described above, when an employee who is an applicant creates an application form, various tables are created in the table DB 18. Further, when approval or approval is made by an employee to be approved or approved, records such as the actual application form table, family table, and member table are updated, and records in the history table are added.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the employee who becomes the applicant (or may be the employee who becomes the approver) changes the order of reconsideration, or deletes or adds the employee who becomes the approver or the approver. In some cases, addition, deletion, and update of records in tables (for example, family tables, member tables, and member connection tables) associated therewith are also performed.

  In particular, since the update of the table record accompanying the change in the order of recitation, or the update of the table at the time of approval or final approval will give a large load to the control server 10, in this embodiment, The load is distributed by a method to be described later to achieve smooth processing.

  First, the update of the record of the table accompanying the change in the order of recollection will be described. FIG. 7 shows a response to the client 14 by the employee who becomes the applicant in the state where the record indicating the state of the reconciled order shown in FIG. 5A is stored in various tables (for example, see FIG. 6A). It is a figure which shows the example of the expense application screen for performing the expense application produced | generated by the control server 10 and displayed on the screen of the client 14. FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the applicant's information is displayed based on the information of the corresponding record in the actual application form table (see reference numeral 701), and the application form itself can be created (reference numeral). 702). Further, at the bottom of the screen, there are provided display fields for the applicant, the approver, the authorizer, and the order of their recollections (see reference numeral 703). In FIG. 7, a column 711 represented as “times 0” corresponds to “family 0” (see reference numeral 501 in FIG. 5A) in FIGS. 5A and 6A. Also, columns 712 and 713 represented as “time 1” and “time 2” are respectively “family 1 (see reference numeral 502 in FIG. 5A)” and “family 2 (in FIG. 5A). Corresponds to the reference numeral 503). In the column 712 and the column 713, buttons 722 and 723 for adding members are provided. The employee operates the client 14 to turn on the button 722 or 723 to add a member to the family related to the button being turned on.

  For example, when the button 722 is turned on by the operation of the client 14, the table management unit 20 of the control server 10 creates a list of employees who can be added to the family by referring to the assignment master 105 or the like. Are displayed on the screen of the client 14. When the employee operates the client 14 and designates an employee in the list, the control server 10 creates an image showing a state in which the employee designated as a member is added to the family, and this is displayed on the screen of the client 14. Display above. The table management unit 20 of the control server 10 temporarily stores the employee code of the designated employee. This employee code is used for updating the member table, the family table, and the member connection table when the “application” button or the “temporary save” button is turned on.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an expense application screen showing a state where an approver is added to “family 1”, which is a family represented as “time 1” on the screen. This example corresponds to the state of the reconciled order shown in FIG. In the field 803, “approver D” is added as a member to the family displayed as “Time 1”. Also in FIG. 5B, “approver D” is added to “family 1” as “member 2” (see reference numeral 512).

  When the employee operates the client 14 and turns on the “apply” button or the “temporary save” button while the screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, the table management unit 10 of the control server 10 and its operation are later performed. In response to this, the DB control unit 24 to be described in detail adds a record relating to the added member in the member table so that the order of the reconciliation matches the state shown in the column 803. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the member table and the family table in a state where a record is added. In this example, there was no change in the family table because it only added members to the existing family. In the member table shown in FIG. 6B, in the record group (see reference numeral 612) whose family ID is “1” (that is, “family 1”), a record including the employee code “employee code D” is included. Have been added.

  Of course, a new family may be added. In this case, a record is added to the member table and family table. In addition, the records of the family linkage table are added and updated. In addition, when deleting a member from the order of recollection, the record is deleted from the member table. When the entire family is deleted, the records of the family table and the family linkage table are deleted and updated in addition to the member table.

  Specific processing for updating the record such as the member table described above will be described later.

  Next, update of the table at the time of approval and approval will be described. Hereinafter, a state in which the member table and the family table storing records as shown in FIG. 6 (b) are stored in the table DB 18 based on the order of reconsideration shown in FIG. 5 (b). 9 to 10 are diagrams showing examples of the state of the member table and the family table from application to final decision. In FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, items that are not referred to in the processing and records that are not related to the processing are omitted.

  Before an application is made by employee A who is an applicant, the member table and the family table are in the state shown in FIG. In the member table, the active member flag (AMF) indicates that the current document is at the employee stored in the record and is waiting for some action (eg, application, approval, approval) by the employee. Yes. Similarly, in the family table, the active family flag indicates that the current document is for employees belonging to that family. Therefore, if it is in a state before application, AMF is “1” in the record of “employee A (employee of employee code = A)” to apply for the document in the work table, and the action is completed. Since there are no employees, the FMF of each record is “0”. In the family table, AFF is “1” in the record of “family 0 (family of family ID = 0)” to which the “employee A” who should apply for the document belongs. In addition, since there is no family in which actions by all members have been completed, the FFF of each record is “0”.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing logic of the table update process. In order to explain again later in connection with the actual table update processing, here, flag setting and clearing will be mainly described. In this example, for the sake of simplicity, a case will be described in which an employee operates a client to apply and approve an application, that is, the application flows from upstream to downstream. In practice, the application form may not be approved by the approver and may return from downstream to upstream just like returning to the applicant. Also, in the actual reconsideration, when the next position is skipped in the reconciled order and the application form is sent to other employees such as the next position, or in the reconsideration, applications are made to multiple employees at the same time. There may be cases where a letter is sent.

  The flow progress processing unit 22 of the control server 10 refers to the member table, the family table, the family connection table, and the member connection table, and identifies an employee who is in the order of the next reconsideration of the employee who has acted (step 1101). . Next, the flow progress processing unit 22 refers to the member table to determine whether or not the employee in the next reconstitution order belongs to the same family as the employee in the current reconstitution order (step 1102). If it is determined as Yes in step 1102, the flow progress processing unit 22 sets the FMF to “1” and records the AMF as “ Reset to "0") (step 1103).

  On the other hand, if it is determined NO in step 1102, the flow progress processing unit 22 sets the FMF to “1” for the employee record in the current recitation order in the member table, and The AMF is reset to “0” (step 1104). This step 1104 is the same processing as step 1103. Further, the flow progress processing unit 22 sets the AMF to “1” in the member table for the records of all the members of the family related to the next recollection order (that is, all employees belonging to the family related to the next reconstitution order) (step S1). 1105). In addition, the flow progress processing unit 22 sets FFF to “1” and resets “AFF” to “0” for the family record to which the employee in the current recitation order belongs in the family table (step 1106). . Furthermore, the flow progress processing unit 22 sets AFF to “1” for the family record to which the employee in the next reconstitution order belongs in the family table (step 1107).

  Thus, in the present embodiment, AMF is “1” in the record of the member table for members belonging to the family where the application to be circulated is located. In addition, for members whose reconsideration has ended (that is, necessary actions have been executed), FMF is “1” in the record of the member table. For the family where the application to be reconsidered is located, AFF is “1” in the corresponding record of the family table. In addition, FFF is “1” for the family for which the recitation has ended (that is, all the actions of the members to which it belongs have been executed). In this embodiment, these flags can identify the member where the application is currently located and the action is required, the family to which the member belongs, or the member and family for which the meeting has ended. .

  For example, when “Employee A” operates the client to apply for an application, the flow progress processing unit 22 of the control server 10 refers to the member table, the family table, the member connection table, and the family connection table, and Identify employees in order of recollections. In this example, “employee B (employee of employee code = B)” is the employee in the next order of recollections. When the flow progress processing unit 22 refers to the member table, it can be seen that “employee B” in the next reconciled order is not in the same family as “employee A” (No in step 1102 in FIG. 11). The processing of 1107 is executed, and the flags of the member table and family table are rewritten (see reference numerals 901 and 902 in FIG. 9B). When the update of the table is completed, an e-mail is transmitted to the client of “employee B” in the next reconference order, and the state of waiting for approval by “employee B” is entered.

  When “Employee B” operates the client, the control server 10 transmits an expense application approval screen (not shown) to the client and displays it on the display device of the client. The expense application form approval screen is similar to the expense application screen (see FIG. 7).

  When “Employee B” operates the client and approves the application, the flow progress processing unit 22 of the control server 10 refers to the member table, the family table, the member connection table, and the family connection table, and determines Identify employees. In this example, “employee C (employee of employee code = C)” is the employee in the next order of recollections. When the flow progress processing unit 22 refers to the member table, it is found that “employee C” in the next reconcilation order is the same family as “employee B”. Are updated (see reference numeral 903 in FIG. 9C).

  As shown in FIG. 10 (a), upon approval of “Employee C (employee code = C)” in the next round of discussion, “Employee C” and “Employee D (employee code = D) in the next round of turn” ) ”Is the same family, and some records in the member table are updated (see reference numeral 1001). As shown in FIG. 10B, upon approval of “employee D (employee code = D)”, “employee D” and “employee E (employee code = E)” in the next round of discussion Are not the same family, the flag of the record of the member table and family table is updated (see reference numerals 1002 and 1003). FIG. 10C shows the member table and family table updated by the flow progress processing unit 22 when the employee E is approved. Although not shown in the flow of FIG. 11, when there is no next order of recollection, the flow progress processing unit 22 sets the FMF and FFF of the employee record approved or approved in the member table and the family table, respectively. 1 "and AMF and AFF are reset to" 0 ".

  As described above, when adding or changing the order of reconsideration, or when applying by the applicant or approval by the approver, the records of the member table and the family table are updated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a DB control unit 24 that accesses the table DB 18 and actually updates the record is provided, and the table management unit 20 and the flow progress processing unit 22 instruct the DB control unit 24 to update the record. Configured as follows.

  Hereinafter, processing by the DB control unit 24 will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a storage device including the DB control unit 24 and the table DB 18 of the control server 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the storage device 1200 includes a table DB 18. Although not shown in FIG. 12, the storage device 1200 also includes a master DB 16. The storage device 1200 here physically includes a hard disk device of the control server 10 and a memory such as a RAM.

  As illustrated in FIG. 12, the storage device 1200 may further include a plurality of work table groups. In the present embodiment, ten work table groups 1201-1 to 1201-10 can be created in the storage device 1200 by the DB control unit 24. In the work table group (for example, the work table group 1201), a predetermined number of records in the table in the table DB 18 are copied, or a predetermined number of records having predetermined items are newly created.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are flowcharts showing processing executed when creating a record of a table in the table DB 18 in the control server 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG.
When the user I / F 26 receives a logon from the client 14 (step 1301), it assigns a session ID (step 1302). The session ID is also transmitted to the client 14, and the client 14 uses the received session ID in this session.

  Note that the control server 10 performs user authentication when the client logs on. After the user authentication or the like, when the user I / F 26 receives the application form selection information from the client 14, for example, the table management unit 20 is notified of the received application form selection information (step 1303). The table management unit 20 refers to the application form selection information and identifies the application form ID, employee code, and the like. As a result, the table management unit 20 identifies a series of records related to the application form in various tables such as the family table, member table, family connection table, and member connection table (step 1304). Here, with reference to the application form ID and employee code and a flag such as the member table, whether the application form is located at the employee who operates the client who has accessed the control server 10, that is, the employee It may be configured that the process after step 1304 is executed only when the application form is located under the employee.

  In step 1304, for example, a record group having the same application form ID as the application form ID indicated by the application form selection information may be specified in each table. Here, the family table, member table, family connection table, and member connection table will be described in detail, but the same processing is applied to other tables when records are added, updated, or deleted.

  When the DB control unit 24 receives notification of a series of record group information, the DB control unit 24 stores the work table (family work table, member work table, family connection work table and family work table) of each table in the storage device 1200. A work table group #N (indicated by reference numeral 1201-N in the figure) including the member linked work table) is generated (step 1305). In step 1305, a series of records of the work table group #N is locked. A series of record groups is stored in the work table constituting the work table group.

  In the present embodiment, the number “N” of work table group #N uses the last digit of the session ID. As a result, a maximum of 10 work table groups can be generated.

  When such processing ends, for example, the table management unit 20 creates an expense application screen and transmits it to the user I / F 26 (step 1306). The user I / F 26 transmits an expense application screen to the client 14 (step 1307). Alternatively, when the operator of the client 14 is an approver, the flow progress processing unit 22 creates an expense application approval screen, and the user I / F 26 transmits the expense application approval screen to the client 14. .

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the user I / F 26 receives an action from the client 14 (step 1401), the information is transmitted to the table management unit 20 and the flow progress processing unit 22. Actions include application and approval of application forms. Hereinafter, a case where an action such as application or approval is transmitted from the client 14 and the flow progress processing unit 22 executes processing to update the flag of the table as shown in FIG. 11 will be described. However, the following processing is executed in the same manner when an instruction to add a family or member (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7 and 8) is given from the client 14 to the user I / F 26. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the flow progress processing unit 22 specifies the record to be updated and the value of the item in the record in the member table, family table, member connection table, and family connection table (step 1402). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, setting the flag of the record to “1” or resetting to “0” is applicable. Information about the record to be updated and the value of the item in the record is transmitted to the DB management unit 24.

  The DB management unit 24 locks a series of records in the work table group #N and the table DB (step 1403). Next, the DB management unit 24 updates the values of the record items to be updated in the member work table, the family work table, the member linked work table, and the family linked work table in accordance with the transmitted information (step 1404). Next, the DB management unit 24 stores the member work table, family work table, family connection work table, and member connection work table in the work table group #N in the member table, family table, family connection table, and member connection table, respectively. Copy to the corresponding part (step 1405). That is, the updated values of the work table record are written in the records taken out as the work table. Thereafter, the DB management unit 44 deletes the work table group #N (step 1405), and locks a series of records of the member table, family table, member connection table, and family connection table in the work table group #N and the table DB 18. Is released (step 1406).

  The DB control unit 24 notifies the flow progress processing unit 22 that the update of the record in the table has been completed and the lock has been released. This notification is also transmitted to the user I / F 26. The user I / F 26 notifies the client 14 of the end of processing (step 1407).

  If the client 14 logs off before the process is completed or the session between the client 14 and the workflow control server 10 is interrupted for some reason, the DB control unit 24 sets the work table group #N. Is deleted, and a series of locks of the table in the table DB 18 is released. For example, when the client 14 logs off in the state where the expense application screen is transmitted to the client 14 by the processing of FIG. 13, as described above, the DB control unit 24 deletes the work table group #N, And release the lock.

  The processes of FIGS. 13 and 14 are executed in parallel. For example, by logging on from a certain client (client 14-1), a session ID whose number ends with “0” is assigned, work table group # 0 is generated, and work table group # 0 is updated. If a session ID such as “1” at the end is assigned by logon from another client (client 14-2) in a state where it is possible to obtain a work table group # 1, a work table is generated. The work table group # 1 can be updated in parallel with the update of the group # 0.

  According to the present embodiment, for each table to be updated, a work table composed of a series of record groups (a series of record groups having the same application form ID) is generated, and the series of record groups in the table is make a copy. In the present embodiment, a plurality of work table groups can be generated. For example, a work table group # having the same value as the number N at the end of the session ID given by the control server 10 for client access. N is generated. That is, a work table group is assigned based on the number at the end of the session ID. As a result, even if multiple applications are created or multiple applications are circulated according to instructions from multiple clients, there is a possibility that a lock wait state may occur due to a lock associated with table update. Can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the above embodiment, work table groups are assigned based on the number at the end of the session ID. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and work table group assignments are determined in the order of client logon. Also good. Alternatively, the work table group may be assigned based on the last digit of the employee ID of the employee operating the logged-on client. In the above embodiment, ten work table groups can be generated. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the order of reconsideration can be specified by four tables: a member table, a family table, a family connection table, and a member connection table. In the present embodiment, the concept of a family is introduced as an aggregate of members, a table (member table) for specifying members constituting the family, and a table for specifying the order of recollections of members in the family (member table). In addition to providing a member connection table, a table (family table) for specifying a family to which an application is to be circulated and a table (family connection table) for specifying the order of refusal between families are employed.

  However, the table for specifying the order of reconsideration is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the order of reconsideration may be determined by a member table and a member connection table, or the order of reconsideration may be determined by a single route table. That is, in the present embodiment, the members to be circulated for each application form and the order between them may be stored in the table. FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing examples of a member table and a member connection table according to another embodiment of the present invention, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, for an application form having a certain application form ID, “employee A (employee code = A employee)” to “employee E (employee code = E)”. In this case, the order of reconsideration is determined in the order of “Employee A” to “Employee E”. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16 (a), the member table has items such as those obtained by removing the family ID from the member table shown in FIG. 4 (d). Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, the member connection table is also configured by removing the family ID from the member connection table shown in FIG.

  Also in other embodiments, the control server 10 performs the same application form in the member table and the member connection table as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B according to the processing steps shown in FIGS. A series of record groups having IDs are locked (steps 1304, 1305, etc.), a work table group having a predetermined number is generated based on the session ID, and the record group of the member table is copied to the member work table. The record group of the member connection table is copied to the member connection work table. Thereafter, the corresponding record of the work table of the work table group is updated (step 1404), and the record of the work table is copied to the record of the table (step 1405). After such processing, the record group is unlocked (step 1406).

  As described above, the present invention can be applied even when the members constituting the reciprocation and the reordering order between the members are represented by a single route table. For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a route table can be used.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including a workflow control server according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of processing in the control server according to the present embodiment, and masters and tables stored in the master DB and the table DB. FIGS. 3A to 3H show items included in the records of the employee master, department master, post master, role master, assignment master, document master, root master, and authority master according to the present embodiment, respectively. FIG. 4A to 4F are diagrams showing items included in the records of the actual application form table, history table, family table, member table, family connection table, member connection table, and attachment document table, respectively. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of the order of reconsideration of a certain application form. FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing record portions of the member table and the family table showing the order of reconstitution shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device of the client. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device of the client. FIGS. 9A to 9C are views showing the states of the member table and the family table before the application of the employee A, the application of the employee A, and the approval of the employee B, respectively. FIGS. 10A to 10C are views showing states of the member table and the family table when the employee C is approved, when the employee D is approved, and when the employee E is approved. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of workflow update processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a storage device including a DB control unit of the control server, a table DB, and the like. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process executed when a record of a table in the table DB is created in the control server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process executed when a record of a table in the table DB is created in the control server according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing examples of a member table and a member connection table according to another embodiment of the present invention, respectively. FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams illustrating items included in the records of the member table and the member connection table according to another embodiment, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

10 Workflow control server 12 Network 14 Client 16 Master DB
18 Table DB
20 Table management unit 22 Flow progress processing unit 24 DB control unit 26 User I / F

Claims (12)

It has a record including an application ID that identifies an application to be circulated, information that indicates a member to whom the application is to be circulated and the order in which the application is circulated, and information that identifies a member that is required to perform some action on the application. A table group including one or more tables is provided, and the data of the application form identified by the application form ID is sent to the client of the member identified according to the order of recitation based on the records of the one or more tables constituting the table group. A workflow control server that circulates the application by sending it over a network,
In order to control the update of the record of the table specified by the application form ID in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID from the client, Table control means that can generate a plurality of work table groups composed of the above tables;
In accordance with reception of an instruction to add, update, or delete a member from the client, a new member is added between adjacent members in the order of reconstitution in one or more tables constituting the table group. In the one or more tables, the record to be added and its position, the record to be updated, and its position in the one or more tables are received. Or a table management means for specifying the record to be deleted and its position,
The table control means is
According to the reception of the information specifying the application form ID, in one or more tables constituting the table group, a series of record groups based on the received information is locked,
One of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated is generated, and a record group locked by each of the one or more tables is stored in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. And
Based on information indicating the record to be added and its position, the record to be updated and its position, or the record to be deleted and its position in the one or more tables from the table management means Add, update, and delete records in each of the worktables that make up the worktable group.
Each of the one or more work tables constituting the work table group stores records added, updated or deleted in one or more tables constituting the table group,
Thereafter, in one or more tables constituting the table group, the workflow control server is configured to unlock a series of record groups. It has a record including an application ID that identifies an application to be circulated, information that indicates a member to whom the application is to be circulated and the order in which the application is circulated, and information that identifies a member that is required to perform some action on the application. A table group including one or more tables is provided, and the data of the application form identified by the application form ID is sent to the client of the member identified according to the order of recitation based on the records of the one or more tables constituting the table group. A workflow control server that circulates the application by sending it over a network,
In order to control the update of the record of the table specified by the application form ID in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID from the client, The table control means configured from the above table and capable of generating a plurality of work table groups, and the application specified by the application ID from the client, according to reception of an action including application or approval, the table Referring to one or more tables that make up the group, in the order of reconsideration, identify the member who is required to take the next action for the application form, and identify the member for which some action is required for the application form in the record of the table Workflow progress processor that identifies the record that should be updated A stage,
The table control means is
According to the reception of the information specifying the application form ID, in one or more tables constituting the table group, a series of record groups based on the received information is locked,
One of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated is generated, and a record group locked by each of the one or more tables is stored in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. And
Work pieces that constitute the generated work table group based on the information of the record to be updated in the one or more tables from the workflow progress processing means, the information specifying the member for which some action is required for the application form. Update the record in each of the tables,
Storing updated records of each of the one or more work tables constituting the work table group in one or more tables constituting the table group;
Thereafter, in one or more tables constituting the table group, the workflow control server is configured to unlock a series of record groups. The records of one or more tables constituting the table group include an active member flag indicating that a member related to the record should take some action, and an action end flag indicating that the action has ended, The workflow progress processing means specifies a record in which an active member flag and / or an action end flag are to be updated in one or more tables constituting the table group,
The table control means is configured to update an active member flag and / or an action end flag of the specified record in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. 2. The workflow control server according to 2. The table group has a record including an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information for identifying a member to be circulated for the application, and information for identifying a member for which some action is required for the application. A member connection table having a record including a member table, the application ID, information for specifying a start member that precedes two adjacent members in the order of reconstitution, and information for specifying a subsequent end member;
The table control means is configured to generate a work table group including the work tables of the member table and the member connection table as one of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated. The workflow control server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the workflow control server is provided. The table group includes an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information for identifying a member to which the application is to be circulated, information for identifying a family that is a set of certain members to which the member belongs. , A member table having a record including information for identifying a member for whom some action is required for the application form, the application form ID, information for specifying a preceding start member in two adjacent members in the order of reconsideration, and the following A member connection table having a record including information for specifying an end member, the application ID, information for specifying the family, and information for specifying a family to which a member to which an action is required for the application belongs. Family table that includes the application ID and the two adjacent in the order of reconsideration Includes information specifying a start families preceding the family, the family connection table having a record including the information specifying the end family subsequent,
A work table group in which the table control means includes each work table of the member table, the member connection table, the family table, and the family connection table as one of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated. The workflow control server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the workflow control server is configured to generate.   For the session between the client and the control server, the table control means selects any one work table group from among the plurality of work table groups that can be generated based on a session ID assigned by the control server. The workflow control server according to claim 1, wherein the workflow control server is generated. It has a record including an application ID that identifies an application to be circulated, information that indicates a member to whom the application is to be circulated and the order in which the application is circulated, and information that identifies a member that is required to perform some action on the application. A table group including one or more tables is provided, and the data of the application form identified by the application form ID is sent to the client of the member identified according to the order of recitation based on the records of the one or more tables constituting the table group. In the workflow control server that circulates the application by sending it through the network, the workflow control server
In order to control the update of the record of the table specified by the application form ID in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID from the client, A table control step that can generate a plurality of work table groups composed of the above tables, and
In accordance with reception of an instruction to add, update, or delete a member from the client, a new member is added between adjacent members in the order of reconstitution in one or more tables constituting the table group. In the one or more tables, the record to be added and its position, the record to be updated, and its position in the one or more tables are received. Alternatively, a table management step for specifying a record to be deleted and its position is executed, and
In the workflow control server,
Locking a series of record groups based on the received information in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID;
One of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated is generated, and a record group locked by each of the one or more tables is stored in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. And steps to
Based on information indicating the record to be added and its position, the record to be updated and its position, or the record to be deleted and its position in the one or more tables from the table management means A step of adding, updating, and deleting records in each of the work tables constituting the work table group;
Storing each added, updated or deleted record of one or more work tables constituting the work table group in one or more tables constituting the table group;
Thereafter, a step of releasing a lock of a series of record groups in one or more tables constituting the table group is executed. It has a record including an application ID that identifies an application to be circulated, information that indicates a member to whom the application is to be circulated and the order in which the application is circulated, and information that identifies a member that is required to perform some action on the application. A table group including one or more tables is provided, and the data of the application form identified by the application form ID is sent to the client of the member identified according to the order of recitation based on the records of the one or more tables constituting the table group. In the workflow control server that circulates the application by sending it through the network, the workflow control server
In order to control the update of the record of the table specified by the application form ID in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID from the client, A table control step that can generate a plurality of work table groups composed of the above tables, and
With respect to the application specified by the application ID from the client, referring to one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of an action including application or approval, the application is determined in the order of reconsideration. Next, a member for which an action is required is specified, and in the record of the table, a workflow progress processing unit for specifying a record for updating information for specifying a member for which an action is required for an application form is executed, and
In the workflow control server,
Locking a series of record groups based on the received information in one or more tables constituting the table group in accordance with reception of information specifying the application form ID;
One of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated is generated, and a record group locked by each of the one or more tables is stored in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. And steps to
Work pieces that constitute the generated work table group based on the information of the record to be updated in the one or more tables from the workflow progress processing means, the information specifying the member for which some action is required for the application form. Updating each record in each of the tables;
Storing each updated record of each of the one or more work tables constituting the work table group in one or more tables constituting the table group;
Thereafter, a step of releasing a lock of a series of record groups in one or more tables constituting the table group is executed. The records of one or more tables constituting the table group include an active member flag indicating that a member related to the record should take some action, and an action end flag indicating that the action has ended,
In the workflow progress processing step, causing the workflow control server to execute a step of identifying a record in which an active member flag and / or an action end flag should be updated in one or more tables constituting the table group; and
In the workflow control server,
9. The workflow control program according to claim 8, wherein a step of updating an active member flag and / or an action end flag of the specified record is executed in one or more work tables constituting the work table group. . The table group has a record including an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information for identifying a member to be circulated for the application, and information for identifying a member for which some action is required for the application. A member connection table having a record including a member table, the application ID, information for specifying a start member that precedes two adjacent members in the order of reconstitution, and information for specifying a subsequent end member;
A step of generating a work table group including the work tables of the member table and the member connection table as any one of a plurality of work table groups that can be generated in the workflow control server is executed. The workflow control program according to claim 7, wherein the workflow control program is executed. The table group includes an application ID for identifying an application to be circulated, information for identifying a member to which the application is to be circulated, information for identifying a family that is a set of certain members to which the member belongs. , A member table having a record including information for identifying a member for whom some action is required for the application form, the application form ID, information for specifying a preceding start member in two adjacent members in the order of reconsideration, and the following A member connection table having a record including information for specifying an end member, the application ID, information for specifying the family, and information for specifying a family to which a member to which an action is required for the application belongs. Family table that includes the application ID and the two adjacent in the order of reconsideration Includes information specifying a start families preceding the family, the family connection table having a record including the information specifying the end family subsequent,
A work table group including, as one work table group among a plurality of work table groups that can be generated in the workflow control server, the member table, the member connection table, the family table, and the family connection table. The workflow control program according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a step of generating the step is executed.   In the table control step, any one of the plurality of work table groups that can be generated based on a session ID given by the control server for a session between the client and the control server to the workflow control server. 12. The workflow control program according to claim 7, wherein a step of generating one work table group is executed.

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