JP5265957B2 - Workflow server, workflow processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure the security of matter data in case that a workflow system is coordinated with an external business operation system; and to build up workflow without adding a new function to an external business operation system and conduct flow control on the basis of its setting. <P>SOLUTION: The workflow system is provided which executes processing in coordination with an external system. The workflow system includes: a processing acquisition part which acquires requests including a processing request related to matter data which are processing objects transmitted from the external system; and a matter data processing part which executes processing related to the matter data on the basis of both a processing request acquired by a matter processing part and process information including an access control definition table which is defined so that access control in each process in workflow may be executed under prescribed conditions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a workflow system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a workflow system that can perform processing in cooperation with an external system.

  Conventionally, a workflow system including a server and a client has been constructed. The workflow system is a system that processes various business processes according to predefined routes and rules. As an example, authentication processing by each authorized person can be performed at each process by referring to or updating data stored in the server on the client terminal, which is used when electronically finalizing internal decisions. It is a system with the properties performed in In such a workflow system, the processing is completed in the system, and it is not necessary to consider the cooperation with an external system that performs business outside the system.

  However, in recent years, various business processes have been systematized in companies, and with the increasing need for IT control, data linkage between a workflow system and peripheral external systems is required.

  Here, in the workflow system, when coordinating with an external system, it is necessary to consider the safety of matter data related to matters in each workflow, and in particular, avoid collision during data update, and refer to and update It is necessary to consider ensuring the security of the system. In this case, a method of incorporating input control corresponding to the workflow system to be linked on the external business system side is also conceivable. However, it is costly to incorporate such input control into an external business system that is constructed independently as a business system different from the workflow system. Therefore, it is desirable to define the above consideration on the workflow system side and control input / output with the external business system based on this.

  The following conventional techniques have been published for avoiding data update collisions and ensuring data security.

  In Patent Literature 1, “update collision” is avoided in the work process by locking the work in units of work processes. Moreover, the efficiency of parallel work is achieved by displaying the work status of each work process.

  In Patent Document 2, when data is circulated between different processes, that is, when data is circulated from the process A to the process B, the data defined in the process A is set so that it cannot be read by the process B. A technique for preventing leakage of matters is disclosed.

JP-A-6-274430 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-49603

  However, in Patent Document 1, since a certain work process is locked and exclusive control is performed, a waiting time is generated in a process in which a plurality of users or a plurality of external business systems perform processing for the same process. Is bad. In particular, when linking with an external business system, the external business system may be in a waiting state for a long time. In addition, there is a problem that it is not possible to handle the case where the same data needs to be operated across processes.

  In Patent Document 2, information passed during data circulation can be controlled. Circulation attribute information for that purpose is included in the circulation data, and a function for recognizing and processing the circulation attribute information is added to the external system side. Need arises.

  In the workflow system, the matter data and the flow state (process state) change every moment, so that the conditions such as referable and updatable also change every moment. In the case of linking with an external business system, it is assumed that the processing time of one process takes a long time. In addition, when multiple external business systems are in charge of the same process, or when multiple external business systems perform workflow operations on parallel paths, matter data and flow status can change during processing of the external business system High nature. Further, as described above, it is not useful from the viewpoint of cost to newly add a processing function to each external system side.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in a workflow system linked with an external system, it is an object to realize control such as reference and update of matter data in consideration of security without newly adding a processing function on the external system side. To do.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, the route definition is performed so that the reference and update of the case data can be controlled by the process linked with the external business system, the data state of the case, and the like. Flow control. As will be described later, the route definition includes an access definition table for defining access control.

The present invention provides a workflow server that executes processing in cooperation with an external system. The workflow server includes a processing acquisition unit that acquires a processing request that includes processing data related to matter data to be processed, transmitted from the external system , a processing request that includes the processing data acquired by the processing acquisition unit, a workflow by a predetermined condition between the item data and the processed data in each step of the process information storage unit which includes an access control definition table defined access control, the access control definition table of the process information storage unit Based on a predetermined condition defined, a case data processing unit that executes a process related to the case data, and a delivery determination in each step of the workflow is executed under a predetermined condition between the case data and the processing data. and delivery determination information storage section including a defined delivery determination definition table as, the delivery determination information storage unit Based on a predetermined condition defined in the judgment definition table feed, comprising a delivery processing section for determining delivery destination, a. With this configuration, it is possible to perform a predetermined process when the processing request is compared with the process information and the conditions match. That is, on the workflow server side, data processing according to a predetermined process can be performed, or only necessary data can be transmitted to the external system.

  In addition, the matter data processing unit may perform processing using an access control definition table that is defined so that at least one process of referring to or updating the data item included in the matter data is executed under a predetermined condition. Good.

  In the access control definition table, access control may be defined by a combination of the state of the matter data and the requested processing.

  In addition, the case data processing unit, when the type of the process request acquired by the means for acquiring the case data and the process acquisition unit is a reference to a data item, the corresponding data item in the acquired case data And a means for extracting only the information and returning it to the external system.

  In addition, the matter data processing unit, if the type of the processing request acquired by the means for acquiring the matter data and the processing acquisition unit is update to a data item, the corresponding data item of the acquired matter data Means for updating and registering only in the database.

  In addition, it may further comprise means for defining a data item definition that defines a data item of a matter, a process definition that defines a workflow process, and an access control definition table. The data item definition can have an item that is unique in the case data and a detail item that can set a plurality of lines that are handled in the detail format.

  The processing acquisition unit may analyze the acquired request and distribute the request to the case data processing unit or the means for defining according to the analysis result.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to define a route for controlling the reference and update of the case data according to the process linked to the external business system, the data state of the case, and the like. Further, by controlling the input / output of the case data based on this definition, it is possible to realize cooperation between the workflow system that secures the security of the case data and the external business system. Furthermore, it is possible to link with an existing external business system simply by adding a function to the workflow system side.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the following drawings, the same symbols are attached to the same types of elements, data, and the like.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a workflow construction / operation system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, in the workflow system, at least one workflow server 104 and a plurality of workflow clients 105 to 106 are connected via an intranet 107. These are the workflow systems in the narrow sense described in the prior art. The workflow server 104 and the external business system servers 101 to 102 are connected via the network 103. In this specification, the configuration including the external business system server may be referred to as a workflow system in a broad sense. In this specification, an external business system server may be referred to as an external business system.

  Since the configuration of the network 103 is publicly known, a detailed description is omitted, but a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, or the like can be used as the network 103. Although the intranet 107 is assumed to be an intra-company network, the LAN, WAN, intranet, and Internet can be used in the same manner as the network 103.

  The user makes a workflow operation request to the workflow server 104 from the workflow clients 105 to 106. The workflow server 104 performs processing in response to a request from the workflow clients 105 to 106, and transmits a result or the like to the workflow clients 105 to 106 if necessary.

  The external business systems 101 to 102 send a processing request to the workflow server 104, receive a response to the request, perform processing in each business system, and register the processing result of the business system in the workflow server 104. Request. In the present embodiment, the external business system can operate as a kind of workflow client.

  The management client 108 is a device that performs processing for generating definition data, which will be described later. The management client 108 is not an essential component, and the client or server may have a function for generating definition data. In addition, a storage medium that simply stores definition data generated by a computer device (not shown) may be provided instead of the management client.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the workflow server 104 and the workflow clients 105 to 106 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 2, the CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 204. The ROM 203 or the external memory 211 stores an operating system (OS) that is a control program of the CPU 201 and programs for realizing various functions described later of each server or each client.

  The RAM 202 functions as a main memory, work area, temporary save area, and the like for the CPU 201. The input controller 205 controls input from the input unit 209. Examples of the input unit 209 include a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse in a terminal such as a server or a client. In a printing apparatus or the like, examples of the input unit 209 include a touch panel, buttons, and switches. The output controller 206 controls the display of the output unit 210. Examples of the output unit 210 include a CRT and a liquid crystal.

  The external memory controller 207 controls access to the external memory 211 that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, printer drivers, and the like. In addition, the external memory controller 207 stores various tables and parameters for realizing various functions of each server or each client. Examples of the external memory 211 include a hard disk (HD), a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), a compact flash connected to the PCMCIA card slot via an adapter, and smart media.

  The communication I / F controller 208 executes communication control processing with an external device via the network 103 or the intranet 107.

  Although 212 is illustrated as hardware, it is not hardware but a program for realizing the present invention. The program 212 is recorded in the external memory 211 and is executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 202 as necessary.

<Description of each processing unit>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration realized in the workflow server 104 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the workflow server 104 includes, as its functional configuration, a workflow processing unit 301, a business definition setting processing unit 302, a case processing unit 303, a data item definition processing unit 304, a route definition processing unit 305, a case, A data processing unit 306 and a delivery processing unit 307 are provided, and definition data 311 and item data 321 are provided as data. The definition data 311 includes a data item definition 312 and a route definition 313. Furthermore, the route definition 313 includes a process definition table 314, an access control definition table 315 (access control definition table), and a delivery determination definition table 316 (delivery determination definition table). Each function will be described below. Each processing unit is realized, for example, by executing a program included in a memory or the like included in a computer as illustrated in FIG. 2 using a CPU or a memory. Further, as an example, the present embodiment can be implemented by using each processing unit as a function or method in a programming language.

  Upon receiving a business definition setting processing request from the management client 108, the workflow processing unit 301 sends a processing request to the business definition setting processing unit 302, and the processing result of the business definition setting processing unit 302 is called as the calling management client 108. Return to

  Further, the workflow processing unit 301 receives a case processing request such as a case reference request or a case update request from the workflow clients 105 to 106 or the external business system servers 101 to 102. Thereafter, the workflow processing unit 301 sends a processing request to the case processing unit 303 and returns the processing result received from the case processing unit 303 to the caller workflow clients 105 to 106 or the external business system servers 101 to 102. In this way, the workflow processing unit 301 receives a processing request and executes definition setting processing related to system construction / setting according to the content of the processing request, or item processing that handles actual item data. Determine whether to execute.

  The business definition setting processing unit 302 receives a processing request from the workflow processing unit 301. Then, the data item definition processing unit 304 or the route definition processing unit 305 is called depending on the content of the processing request. The data item definition processing unit 304 acquires the setting of the data item definition 312 or the data item definition 312 and returns it to the workflow processing unit 301.

  The route definition processing unit 305 acquires the setting of the route definition 313 or the data of the route definition 313 and returns it to the workflow processing unit 301.

  The path definition is process information for performing data access control using a process as a key. The data item definition 312 included in the definition data 311 includes definition information serving as a template for the case data 321 such as the item name and type (characters, numerical values, etc.) of the data. The path definition 313 included in the definition data 311 includes a process definition 314 indicating a workflow process definition and a flow control rule between processes, and a reference / update operation for any item of item data in a specific process during the workflow operation. An access control definition 315 indicating whether or not a delivery method can be performed, and a delivery determination definition 316 indicating a rule for determining a delivery method according to the contents of item data. Delivery is a concept for workflow process operations such as approval, denial, return, hold, etc. For example, approval means proceeding to the next process, denial means dismissing the case and completing it, return means that it is returned immediately or to any process, and holding means that the process is not moved Means.

  With the access control definition, for example, access control to item data for an external business system can be controlled on the workflow server side. For example, when predetermined data is requested from an external business system, the access control definition is referenced, and if the predetermined condition is met, the predetermined operation defined in the access control definition is permitted or executed. You can do it. In this way, various controls can be performed by setting on the operation side (workflow server side).

  The case processing unit 303 receives a case processing request from the workflow processing unit 301. If the request is a case reference request, a case reference request is sent to the case data processing unit 306, and the case data returned by the case data processing unit 306 is returned to the workflow processing unit 301. On the other hand, if the request is a case update request, a case update request is sent to the case data processing unit 306, and the case data processing unit 306 updates the case data and registers it in the database. Subsequently, the case processing unit 303 calls the delivery processing unit 307, and the delivery processing unit 307 performs the delivery process.

  When receiving a case reference request from the case processing unit 303, the case data processing unit 306 extracts a referenceable data item from the case data 321 according to the access control definition 315 and returns it to the case processing unit 303. The item data 321 is actual data registered by the workflow client based on the data item definition 312 during workflow operation. In addition, when the matter data processing unit 306 receives a matter update request from the matter processing unit 303, the matter data processing unit 306 changes the updatable data item of the matter data 321 according to the access control definition 315, and the changed data item is changed to the matter data 321. Register for update.

  The detailed processing flow of the case data processing unit 306 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The delivery processing unit 307 receives a delivery request from the case processing unit 303, specifies delivery contents according to the delivery judgment definition 316, and performs the specified delivery process.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data related when building a workflow according to the embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 shows which data is built with reference to which data. For example, the route definition 313 is constructed with reference to the organization information 410, the data item definition 312, and the form form 402. The organization information is data that defines a workflow user and a department (department) or role (position, etc.) to which the user belongs, and is information indicating a person in charge, a department in charge of executing a certain process, and the like. The form form 402 is data defining a form design used by the workflow user when operating the workflow, and is an input / reference screen for the matter data 321 at the time of workflow operation.

  In the present embodiment, the process acquisition unit may be at least one of, for example, a workflow processing unit 301, a business definition setting processing unit 302, and a case processing unit 303. Further, the case data processing unit can be at least one of the case processing unit 303, the case data processing unit 306, and the delivery processing unit 307. Further, the definition means may be at least one of the business definition setting processing unit 302, the data item processing unit 304, and the route definition processing unit 305. These are merely examples, and other forms can be adopted.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data creation procedure when a workflow according to the embodiment of the present invention is constructed. First, in the organization information creation step S501 in FIG. 5, the organization information 401 in FIG. 4 is created. Subsequently, in the data item definition creation step S502 of FIG. 5, the data item definition 312 of FIG. 4 is created. Subsequently, in the form creation step S503 in FIG. 5, the form form 402 in FIG. 4 is created. Subsequently, the route definition 313 in FIG. 4 is created in a route definition creation step S504 in FIG. In order to set a person in charge of processing in the process definition 314 included in the route definition 313, the route definition 313 refers to the organization information 401. In addition, since the input form used in the process is set in the process definition 314, the route definition 313 also refers to the form form 402.

  FIG. 6 is a screen image showing an example of the route definition creation step S504 (process definition 314, access control definition 315, delivery determination definition 316) shown in FIG. In 601, a workflow process of “equipment purchase deliberation application” is defined as an example of process definition. In the example of FIG. 6, the workflow process of “equipment purchase deliberation application” is composed of “application”, “amount of money estimate”, and “accounting approval” processes (each process). Reference numerals 602 to 604 show examples in which the setting for the “accounting approval” process of the “equipment purchase deliberation application” is performed. In 602, a person in charge for processing the process is set. That is, the setting is made with reference to the organization information. In step 603, a process processing form and a notification setting for a person in charge are set. That is, the setting is made with reference to the form form. In step 604, the process access control definition 315 and the delivery determination definition 316 are set. The workflow system is operated using the information defined as described above.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a workflow use procedure of the user (workflow clients 105 to 106) in the workflow system according to the embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a workflow use procedure of the external business system servers 101 to 102 in the workflow system according to the embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the difference in the use procedure between the user (workflow clients 105 to 106) and the external business systems 101 to 102 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The user logs in to the system (step S701) and accesses the form list screen (step S702). Next, the form form 402 created in S503 in FIG. 5 is activated (step S703). Next, data is input from the activated form form 402 (step S704), and the delivery button of the form form 402 is clicked (step S705). Thereafter, the delivery processing result is confirmed on the screen (step S706), and the system is logged out (step S707).

  On the other hand, the foreign business systems 101 to 102 log in to the system (step S801), acquire matter data from the workflow server 104 (step S802), perform processing of the external business system (step S803), and obtain the processing result as the workflow server. (Step S804) and logout from the system (step S805).

  As described above, the workflow client as a user uses the form form 402 dedicated to the workflow system when referring to, editing, and registering data. That is, since only the process defined in the form form 402 can be performed, input / output control is performed via the form form. On the other hand, it should be noted that the external business system simply inputs data through the data input / output interface for data reference, editing, and registration, and does not use a tool dedicated to the workflow system. In other words, in a normal workflow client, the input / output data is controlled by the form form, but the form form cannot be used in the external business system. For this reason, when data is output from the workflow server to the external business system, the data at the time of output is output in a state where filtering is not performed, so that more data than necessary is disclosed. There is a risk. Therefore, it becomes necessary to control data access on the workflow server side.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a data structure of the data item definition 312 shown in FIG. The data item definition 312 is divided into an item definition table 900 and a detailed item definition table 910 as an example. The detail item means an item handled in a detail format (table format), and is an item handling a setting of a plurality of lines.

The item definition table 900 is
An item ID 901 is included as information for uniquely identifying the item definition.
A detail group flag 902 is included as information for determining whether the item definition has a detail item definition. If there is a detail item definition, “Y” is set.

The line item definition table 910
An item ID 911 is included as information for identifying which item definition table 900 the item definition is associated with.
In combination with the item ID 911, the item item ID 912 is included as information for uniquely identifying the item item definition.

  In addition to the example shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to provide the data type (characters, numerical values, etc.), the number of digits, a description, a range of values that can be set, and the like for each item. Can also be provided.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure diagram of the route definition 313 (process definition 314, access control definition 315, delivery determination definition 316) illustrated in FIG.

The process definition table 314
A process ID 1001 is included as information for uniquely identifying a process in the process definition table 314.
A person-in-charge ID 1002 is included as information for identifying a person in charge who can process the process. There are a method of directly specifying a user of a workflow and a method of specifying a user indirectly by specifying a department or a role.
A form ID 1003 is included as information for identifying the form form 402 used in the process. The form form is used between the workflow client and the workflow server, and is not used between the external business system and the workflow server.
-It has a notification means 1004 in which means for making a request for processing is set. As the notification means, means for notifying the person in charge of the process of the processing request (approval request) and the delivery result (processing result) is set.

The access control definition table 315 is a table for defining access control with an external business system in this embodiment. The access control table 315
A process ID 1011 is included as information for identifying the access control definition used for which process.
A condition 1012 that sets a condition for using the access control definition is included.
-It has item ID 1013 which set the item used as the object which can be operated when process ID 1011 and conditions 1012 correspond.
When the process ID 1011 and the condition 1012 coincide with each other, and the item to be operated becomes a detailed item, the detailed item ID 1014 in which the detailed item to be operated is set is set.
When the process ID 1011 and the condition 1012 match, an operation ID 1015 that sets the operation content that can be executed is included.

  In the access definition table shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the process ID is “amount phase estimate” and the estimated amount of the estimate history included in the update instruction is greater than 0, the item ID related to the item ID “estimate history” With regard to the items of “estimated amount” and “estimator”, this is a setting for permitting the “add row” operation indicated by the operation ID.

The delivery determination definition table 316 includes
A process ID 1021 is included as information for identifying which process is a delivery judgment definition used for.
A condition 1022 is set in which a condition for using the delivery determination definition is set.
A delivery content ID 1023 is set in which a delivery type that can be delivered when the process ID 1021 and the condition 1022 match is set.

  In the delivery determination definition table shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the process ID is “amount estimate”, if the minimum estimated amount of the case is less than the desired amount of the case and there are two or more estimate histories, In this case, a delivery operation called approval is performed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of the data structure diagram of the case data 321 shown in FIG. The matter data 321 is divided into a matter item data table 1100 as a table for storing item data and a matter detail item data table 1110 as a table for storing detail item data.

The matter item data table 1100
A case ID 1101 is included as information for specifying a case.
An item ID 1102 is included as information for identifying an item in combination with the case ID 1101.
It has a value 1103 for storing the item value.

The matter item data table 1110
A case ID 1111 is included as information for specifying the case.
-It has item ID 1112 as information for specifying an item.
A line number 1113 is included as information for specifying the data line of the item.
-It has item item ID 1114 as information for specifying item items.
Has a value 1115 for storing the value of the detail item.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of a case reference request 1200 sent from the case processing unit 303 to the case data processing unit 306 in FIG. The case reference request 1200 is
A case ID 1201 which is information for specifying a case to be processed is included.
A process ID 1202 that is information for specifying the process to be processed is included.
An executor ID 1203 that is information for specifying the executor that executes the process is included. An executor is, for example, a workflow client or an external business system server that requests processing from the workflow server.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of a case update request 1300 sent from the case processing unit 303 to the case data processing unit 306 in FIG. The matter update request 1300
A case ID 1301 that is information for specifying a case to be processed is included.
A process ID 1302 that is information for specifying a process to be processed is included.
An executor ID 1303 that is information for specifying the executor that executes the process is included.
It has a delivery instruction 1304 that is information for instructing delivery. The delivery instruction is set with an instruction for moving the workflow process such as approval and return. It is also possible not to specify a delivery instruction.
A case update instruction 1305 that is the content of the case data update instruction is included.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of the structure of the case update instruction 1305 shown in FIG. The case update instruction 1305 can set a plurality of update instructions 1400 for the case item data 1100 and update instructions 1410 for the case item data 1110.

An update instruction 1400 for the item item data 1100 is:
An item ID 1401 is included as information for specifying the item to be updated.
An operation 1402 is included as information for specifying the update operation content.
A value 1403 is set as a value set in the update target item.

An update instruction 1410 for the item detail item data 1100 is:
An item ID 1411 is included as information for specifying the item to be updated.
An operation 1412 is included as information for specifying the update operation content. As an example, “change”, “add row”, “change row”, “delete row”, and the like are set.
The operation 1412 has a line number 1413 for specifying a target line when the line is changed or deleted.
When the operation 1412 is “add row” or “change row”, the item 1414 has a detail item ID 1414 for specifying which detail item the value is set to.
When the operation 1412 is “add row” or “change row”, it has a value 1415 to be set in the detail item.

  The flow of processing using each data described above will be described with reference to FIG.

<Flow of reference processing>
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a case reference processing procedure of the case data processing unit 306 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of step S1504 for acquiring data that can be referred to from the case data shown in FIG.

  In the following, using FIG. 15 to FIG. 16, the matter data processing unit 306 of the workflow server receives the matter reference request 1200 from the matter processing unit 303, and the referenceable data extracted from the matter data 321 is sent to the matter processing unit 303. Explain the return flow. First, the flow is started when the case data processing unit 306 receives a case reference request 1200 from the case processing unit 303 (S1501). In step S1502, the content of the case reference request 1200 received from the case processing unit 303 is analyzed, and the processing target case ID 1201, the processing target process ID 1202, and the executor ID 1203 are extracted. In step S1503, item item data in which the item ID 1101 in the item item data table 1100 matches the item ID 1201 to be processed, and item item item data in which the item ID 1111 in the item item data table 1110 matches the item ID 1201 to be processed. To get. In step S1504, referenceable data is extracted from the data acquired in step S1503. Details of S1504 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S1505, it is determined whether the referenceable data extracted in step S1504 exists, and if there exists, the process proceeds to step S1506. If it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S1508, and the flow process is terminated as a reference error (S1507). In step S1505, if there is no data that can be referred to, processing S1508 for outputting a reference error is processed. However, it is treated that there is zero data that can be referred to without reference error, and the process proceeds to step S1506. You may proceed. In step S1506, the referenceable data extracted in step S1504 is returned to the matter processing unit 303, and the process ends in step S1507.

  Next, detailed processing of S1504 will be described with reference to FIG. Step S1601 is processed following step S1504. In step S1602, all access control definitions in which the process ID 1011 in the access control definition table 315 matches the process ID 1202 to be processed and the operation ID 1015 is “reference” or “line reference” are acquired. Steps S1603 to S1613 are repeated one by one for the number of acquired access control definitions.

  If the operation ID 1015 of the access control definition is “reference” in step S1604, the process proceeds to step S1605 for determining access control of the item. In the case of “line reference”, the process proceeds to step S1607 of the access control determination of the details.

In step S1605, it is determined whether the condition 1012 of the access control definition is satisfied. If satisfied, the process advances to step S1606 to extract item data (part of data in the case data) as referenceable data. If not, skip the data extraction and proceed with the process. In step S 1606, it is checked with reference to the detail group flag 902 of the item definition table 900 whether the item ID 1013 of the access control table is “*” (asterisk) or an item / detail item. If * (asterisk), all the item item data and item item data acquired in S1503 are extracted.
If it is related to an item, the item item data in which the item ID 1102 of the item item data acquired in S1503 matches the item ID 1013 of the access control definition table is extracted. If it is related to the details, all item details item data in which the item ID 1111 of the item details item data acquired in S1503 and the item ID 1013 of the access control definition table match are extracted. Further, when the item item ID 1014 is specified in the access control definition table, the item item item 1010 in which the item item ID 1014 in the access control definition and the item item ID 1014 in the extracted item item item data match are extracted. Further refine and extract from the data.

  In step S1607, all item details item data in which the item ID 911 of the item details item data acquired in step S1503 matches the item ID 1013 of the access control definition are extracted. Step S1608 to step S1612 are repeatedly processed line by line in units of lines (the same line number 1114 is handled as a line) for the acquired item detail item data.

  In step S1609, the item detail item data for one line (the item having the same line number 1114 is handled as a row) is extracted from the item detail item data extracted in step S1607. In step S1610, it is confirmed whether the access control definition condition 1012 is satisfied. If satisfied, the process advances to step S1611 to extract the item data as referenceable data. If not, skip the data extraction and proceed with the process. In step S1611, the item detail item data for one line extracted in step S1609 is extracted as referenceable data. If there is a setting in the item item ID 1014 of the access control definition, the item item item data extracted as referenceable is further narrowed down by the item item ID 1115. In step S1614, the process returns to S1504.

  The above is an example of the flow of processing in the case of “reference”. Next, a case where the processing request is “update” will be described based on a flowchart.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the matter processing unit 303 of the workflow server illustrated in FIG. 3. Upon receipt of the processing request, the matter processing unit 303 performs matter data update step S1702, and subsequently executes delivery processing step S1703. Each process will be described in detail below.

<Flow of update processing>
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a case update processing procedure of the case data processing unit 306 of the workflow server shown in FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of step S1804 for updating the data content of the case data shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a flow in which the matter data processing unit 306 receives the matter update request 1300 from the matter processing unit 303 and updates the matter data 321 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. The flow is started when the case data processing unit 306 receives the case update request 1300 from the case processing unit 303 (S1801). In step S1802, the contents of the case update request 1300 received from the case processing unit 303 are analyzed, and the processing target case ID 1301, the processing target process ID 1302, the executor ID 1303, the delivery instruction 1304, and the case update instruction 1305 ( An update instruction 1400 for the item item data and an update instruction 1410) for the item item detail data are taken out. In step S1803, the item ID data in which the item ID 1101 in the item item data table 1100 matches the item ID 1301 to be processed, and the item ID 1111 in the item item data table 1110 matches the item ID 1301 to be processed. Get line item data.

  In step S1804, the data content of the matter data acquired in step S1803 is changed. Details will be described with reference to FIG. 19 described later. In step S1805, the matter data changed in step S1804 is updated and registered in the matter item data table 1100 and the matter detail item data table 1110. In step S1806, the process ends.

  Step S1901 in FIG. 19 is processed following step S1804. In step S1902, the process ID 1011 in the access control table 315 matches the process ID 1302 to be processed, and the operation ID 1015 is an access of “change”, “add row”, “change row”, or “delete row”. Get all control definitions. Steps S1903 to S1913 are repeated one by one for the number of acquired access control definitions.

  In step S1904, if the operation ID 1015 of the access control definition is “change”, the process proceeds to step S1905 for access control determination of “item”. In the case of “add row”, “change row”, or “delete row”, the process advances to step S1907 of access control determination of “detail”.

  In step S 1905, it is determined whether the access control definition condition 1012 is satisfied. If satisfied, the process advances to step S1906 to change the data content (item) of the case data. If not, skip the data content change and proceed with the process. In step S 1906, whether the item ID 1013 for access control is “*” (asterisk) or an item / detail item is checked with reference to the detail group flag 902 of the item definition table 900.

  If it is “*” (asterisk), all the update instructions of the case update instruction 1305 taken out in S1802 are taken out, and the data contents of the case item data and case detail item data acquired in S1803 are changed.

  If it relates to an item, the item item data acquired in S1803 is extracted for one item of the item update instruction 1400 in which the item ID 1401 of the update instruction 1400 and the item ID 1013 of the access control for the item item data extracted in S1802 match. Change the data content of.

  If it is related to the details, all the update instructions 1410 for the item detail item data in which the item ID 1411 of the update instruction 1410 related to the item detail item data extracted in S1802 matches the item ID 1013 of the access control are extracted. The data content of the item detail item data acquired in S1803 is changed by an update instruction 1410 for the retrieved item item item data.

  If the operation item 1412 of the update instruction 1410 for the item item data is “add row” or “change row” and the item item ID 1014 is set in the access control definition, the item item ID 1014 in the access control definition Change only the item items of the item item data that match.

  In step S1907, all the update instructions 1410 for the item detail item data in which the item ID 1411 of the update instruction 1410 for the item detail item data extracted in S1802 matches the item ID 1013 of the access control definition are extracted. Next, step S1908 to step S1912 are repeatedly processed line by line.

In step S1909, an update instruction 1410 for the item detail item data for one line is extracted from the update instruction 1410 for the item item data extracted in step S1907. In step S1910, it is determined whether the access control definition condition 1012 and the operation ID 1015 satisfy the value 1415 and the operation 1412 of the update instruction 1410 for the item detail item data for one line. If satisfied, the process advances to step S1911 to change the data content (detail item) of the case data. If not, the data update is skipped and the process proceeds.
In step S1911, the data content of the item detail item data acquired in step S1803 is changed by an update instruction 1410 for the extracted item detail item data.

  If the operation item 1412 of the update instruction 1410 for the item item data is “add row” or “change row” and the item item ID 1014 is set in the access control definition, the item item ID 1014 in the access control definition Change only the item items of the item item data that match.

  In step S1914, the process returns to S1804.

<Flow of delivery processing>
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a delivery processing procedure of the delivery processing unit 307 shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the delivery judgment definition acquisition step S2005 shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a flow in which the delivery processing unit 307 receives a delivery request from the item processing unit 303 and performs delivery processing will be described with reference to FIGS. The delivery request includes all contents other than the case update instruction 1305 of the case update request 1300.

  The flow is started when the delivery processing unit 307 receives a delivery request from the case processing unit 303 (S2001). In step S2002, the contents of the delivery request received from the case processing unit 303 are analyzed, and a processing target case ID 1301, a processing target process ID 1302, an executor ID 1303, and a delivery instruction 1304 are extracted. In step S2003, it is determined whether or not a delivery instruction 1304 is designated. If designated, the process proceeds to delivery execution step S2007. If not specified, the process proceeds to step S2004 for determining the delivery contents based on the contents of the case data 321.

  In step S2004, the item ID data in which the item ID 1101 in the item item data table 1100 matches the item ID 1301 to be processed, and the item ID 1111 in the item item data table 1110 matches the item ID 1301 to be processed. Acquires the item details item data. In step S2005, the data contents of the case data acquired in step S1803 are analyzed, and a delivery determination definition 316 that matches the conditions is acquired. Details will be described in connection with FIG. In step S2006, it is checked whether or not there is a delivery content based on the information acquired in step S2005, and if it exists, the process proceeds to delivery execution step S2007. If it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S2008 where the delivery execution is skipped and the process is terminated. In the present embodiment, the delivery execution is skipped, but it may be determined whether a delivery error is set or a delivery execution is skipped by separately setting a process when delivery judgment cannot be made. . In step S2007, the delivery process is performed according to either the delivery instruction 1304 extracted in S2002 or the delivery content ID 1023 of the delivery judgment definition 316 acquired in S2005. In step S2008, the process ends.

  Next, step S2101 in FIG. 21 is processed following step S2005. In step S2102, all the delivery determination definitions in which the process ID 1021 in the delivery determination definition table 316 matches the process ID 1302 to be processed are acquired. Steps S2103 to S2306 are repeatedly processed one by one for the number of acquired delivery determination definitions. In step S2104, it is determined whether the condition 1022 of the delivery determination definition is satisfied. If true, the process proceeds to step S2005, and the delivery contents satisfying the condition are returned. If not, the next delivery determination definition process is performed. In step S2307, the process returns to S2005, and the process proceeds to step S2006.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a workflow process definition in the workflow system according to the embodiment of this invention. Reference numerals 2201 to 2203 denote examples of workflow steps of business processes. The application process 2201 is a process related to the application. When the application 2201 is applied by a person in charge, the application process is started, and the process proceeds to the process of the amount of money estimate 2202. In the example of FIG. 22, since “person in charge: no restriction” 2211 is set, anyone can perform application processing. The price phase estimation process 2202 is a process in which the product price is estimated by an external business system, and the result of the estimation is registered. When certain conditions are cleared, the process proceeds to the accounting approval process 2203. The accounting approval process 2203 is completed when the accounting approval 2203 is approved by the accounting staff.

  In FIG. 22, 2221 to 2213 represent roles (or users) capable of processing the process. As shown in FIG. 10, this is indicated by a person-in-charge ID 1002 in the process definition table, and is also described as organization information in this specification. Reference numerals 2221 to 2222 denote form forms for referring to process inputs. It should be noted that the form form is not set in the process of the amount phase estimate 2202 because the external business system processes the process. Note that in 2231, means for notifying the person in charge of the process of the approval request is set.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a workflow usage example in the workflow system according to the embodiment of this invention.

(Assumption)
With the workflow design procedure shown in FIG. 5, a task as shown in FIG. 22 is created as workflow design definition data 311 as shown in FIG. As the contents of the created definition data 311, the data item definition 312 shown in FIG. 9 and the route definition 313 (process definition 314, access control definition 315, delivery determination definition 316) shown in FIG. 10 are set. And Furthermore, it is assumed that the workflow is operated based on the workflow design definition data 311.

  Further, in the process of the application 2201, the application process is performed by the applicant A, the process moves to the money amount estimate 2102, and the processing request is notified to the external business systems 101 to 102 according to the notification unit 1004. And It should be noted that the application content for the equipment purchase deliberation is registered in the case DB 321 as case data such as D2301. The matter DB is a database server that stores matter data, and may be the same as the workflow server (WF server) or may be a separate server.

(Processing of Amount Phase Estimate 2202)
In step S <b> 2301, the company A quotation system 101 sends a case data reference request 1200 as shown in FIG. 12 to the workflow server 104 in order to confirm the contents of the quotation request. In step S2302, the workflow server 104 acquires the matter data D2301 from the matter DB 321.

In step S2303, a process for extracting referenceable data from the case data D2301 described in FIG. 23 is performed. The referenceable data D2302 is the item item data 1100.
Item ID 1102 = Product name: Whiteboard. In step S2304, the workflow server 104 returns the referenceable matter data D2302 extracted in step S2303 to the company A estimation system 101.

  In step S2305, the company A estimate system 101 (estimates based on the contents of the request for quotation) requests a case data update request as shown in FIG. Send 1300. In the case update instruction 1305, contents such as D2303 are set.

  In step S2306, the workflow server 104 acquires the matter data D2301 from the matter DB 321. In step S2307, processing for changing the data content of the case data described in FIG. 18 is performed on the case data D2301 acquired in step S2306. Since there is no matter update instruction that cannot be updated in D2303, all changes are applied. In step S2308, the case data is updated and registered with the data content D2304 changed in step S2307. In step S2309, the delivery judgment described in FIGS. 20 and 21 is performed. In this case, the delivery process is skipped because there is no delivery judgment definition 316 that matches the item data content of D2304 ( S2006). In step S2310, the workflow server 104 returns to the company A estimation system 101 that the estimation result registration request in step S2305 has been successful.

In step S2311, the company B estimate system 102 sends a request request 1200 for case data as shown in FIG. In step S2312, the workflow server 104 acquires the matter data D2304 from the matter DB 321. In step S2313, a process of extracting referenceable data from the case data D2304 described in FIG. 23 is performed. The referenceable data D2305 is the item item data 1100.
Item ID 1102 = Product name: Whiteboard. In step S2314, the work matter server D2305 retrieved in S2313 is returned from the workflow server 104 to the B company estimation system 102.

  In step S2315, the company B estimate system 102 (estimates based on the contents of the request for quotation) and updates the estimate data of company B to the workflow server 104 in order to update the case data update request 1300 as shown in FIG. Send. In the case update instruction 1305, contents such as D2306 are set. In step S2316, the workflow server 104 acquires the matter data D2304 from the matter DB 321. In step S2317, processing for changing the data content of the case data described in FIG. 18 is performed on the case data D2304 acquired in S2316.

  The update instruction for adding an [estimate history] line in D2306 is applied. However, since the instruction for updating the case estimate in D2306 does not satisfy the conditions of the access control definition 315, only the change in the case estimate is not applied. In other words, the estimated amount of company B is ¥ 97,000, whereas the estimated amount of company A is ¥ 96,000, so the estimated amount of company B is smaller. The estimated amount is not updated. On the other hand, in order to meet the conditions for the estimate history, data is additionally updated in the estimate update history.

More specifically, in the case where the process ID 1011 of the access control definition 315 is “amount phase estimate” and the operation ID 1015 is “change”, it is shown in FIG.
Condition 1012 Case. Minimum estimated amount> Update instruction. Minimum estimated amount does not hold. Therefore, the “minimum estimated amount” of the item ID 1013 cannot be updated.

In step S2318, the case data is updated and registered with the data contents changed in S2307. The post-update item data is as shown in D2307. In step S2319, the delivery determination described in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 is performed, and the “approval” process is determined from the contents of the delivery determination definition 321 and the case data D2307. Specifically, the process ID of the delivery judgment definition 316 is “amount-of-money estimate” and the condition
(Estimated amount (¥ 96,000) <= Desired amount (¥ 100,000)) and count (Estimated history)> = 2
Holds. Therefore, “approval” of the delivery content ID 1023 is determined as the delivery content. In step S2320, the delivery content “approval” determined in step S2319 is executed. In step S2321, the workflow server 104 returns to the B company estimation system 102 that the estimation result registration request in S2315 has been successful.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to define a route for controlling the reference and update of matter data according to the process linked to the external business system and the matter data state. Further, by controlling the input / output of the case data based on this definition, it is possible to realize cooperation between the workflow system that secures the safety of the case data and the external business system.

  Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a workflow construction / operation system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the workflow server 104 and the workflow clients 105-106 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure implement | achieved in the workflow server 104 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data relation in the case of constructing | assembling the workflow of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data creation procedure in the case of constructing | assembling the workflow of embodiment of this invention. 6 is a screen image showing an example of a route definition creation step S504 (process definition 314, access control definition 315, delivery judgment definition 316) shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the workflow utilization procedure of a user (workflow client 105-106) in the workflow system of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the workflow utilization procedure of the external business system servers 101-102 in the workflow system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the data item definition 312 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram of a route definition 313 (process definition 314, access control definition 315, delivery determination definition 316) shown in FIG. It is a data structure figure of the matter data 321 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a case reference request sent from the case processing unit 303 to the case data processing unit 306 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a case update request sent from the case processing unit 303 to the case data processing unit 306 in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the item update instruction | indication 1305 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the case reference process sequence of the case data process part 306 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of acquisition step S1504 the data which can be referred from the case data shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the case process part 303 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the matter update process procedure of the matter data process part 306 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of step S1804 which updates the data content of the matter data shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the delivery process procedure of the delivery process part 307 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of delivery judgment definition acquisition step S2005 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the process definition of a workflow in the workflow system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the utilization example of a workflow in the workflow system of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101-102 External business system server 103 Network 104 Workflow server 105-106 Workflow client 107 Intranet 301 Workflow processing unit 302 Business definition setting processing unit 303 Item processing unit 304 Data item definition processing unit 305 Path definition processing unit 306 Item data processing unit 307 Delivery processing unit 311 Definition data 312 Data item definition 313 Route definition 314 Process definition 315 Access control definition 316 Delivery judgment definition 321 Item data

Claims (11)

A workflow server that executes processes in cooperation with external systems,
A processing acquisition unit that acquires a processing request including processing data related to the case data to be processed, transmitted from the external system;
Includes an access control definition table in which access control is defined by a processing request including processing data acquired by the processing acquisition unit and a predetermined condition between the case data and the processing data in each step of the workflow A process information storage unit ;
A matter data processing unit that executes processing related to the matter data based on a predetermined condition defined in the access control definition table of the process information storage unit ;
A delivery judgment information storage unit including a delivery judgment definition table defined so that delivery judgment in each step of the workflow is executed under a predetermined condition between the matter data and the processing data ;
A delivery processing unit for judging a delivery destination based on a predetermined condition defined in a delivery judgment definition table of the delivery judgment information storage unit ;
A workflow server comprising: The process information storage unit includes an access control definition table defined to be executed under a first predetermined condition between the matter data and the processing data ,
2. The delivery determination information storage unit includes a delivery determination definition table defined to be executed under a second predetermined condition between the item data and the processing data. Workflow server. The matter data processing unit
There line the processing by using the access control definition table defined as a reference or at least one processing of the update to the data items included in the item data is performed,
The access control definition table is:
The workflow server according to claim 1, wherein access control is defined by a combination of the state of the item data and a requested process . The delivery processing unit
A delivery judgment definition table defined so that at least one of an approval process for proceeding to the next process, a denial process for rejecting a case, a return process for returning to the previous or any process, and a hold process that does not move is executed. The workflow server according to claim 1, wherein the processing is performed using the workflow server. The matter data processing unit
Means for obtaining the matter data;
Means for extracting only the corresponding data item from the acquired matter data and returning it to the external system when the type of the processing request acquired by the processing acquisition unit is a reference to a data item; The workflow server according to claim 3 , further comprising: The matter data processing unit
Means for obtaining the matter data;
Means for updating and registering only the corresponding data item of the acquired matter data in the database when the type of the processing request acquired by the processing acquisition unit is an update to a data item. The workflow server according to claim 2. Means for defining a data item definition for defining a data item of the matter, a process definition for defining a workflow process, and the access control definition table ;
The data item definition is:
The workflow server according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an item that is unique in the item data and a detail item in which a plurality of lines handled in a detail format can be set . The process information storing unit predetermined conditions defined in the access control definition table of the workflow according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a condition of inequality including the item data and the process data server. The predetermined condition defined in the delivery judgment definition table of the delivery judgment information storage unit is an inequality condition including the matter data and the processing data. Workflow server. A workflow processing method for executing processing in cooperation with an external system,
A process acquisition step of acquiring a process request including process data related to the case data to be processed, transmitted from the external system;
A process information reading step of reading process information including an access control definition table in which access control is defined according to the acquired process request and a predetermined condition between the case data and the process data in each process of the workflow ; ,
Based on a predetermined condition defined in the access control definition table read by the step information reading step, a case data processing execution step for executing processing relating to the case data, and a delivery judgment in each step of the workflow is the case. A delivery judgment information reading step for reading delivery judgment information including a delivery judgment definition table defined to be executed under a predetermined condition between data and the processing data ;
A delivery processing step for judging a delivery destination based on a predetermined condition defined in the delivery judgment definition table read in the delivery judgment information reading step ;
A workflow processing method comprising: The program for making a computer implement | achieve each function in any one of Claim 1 to 9 .

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