JPH10301998A - Work-flow device having automatic sending mode setting function and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To send a slip in accordance with the urgency of it when the slip is sent through work-flow by automatically selecting a sending route according to the urgency of a slip. SOLUTION: A slip implementor selects and inputs any of sending modes at a sending mode selection inputting part 2 in accordance with the urgency of a slip. Next, a mode deciding part 3 decides the selected sending mode, first, in the case of an ordinary mode, a sending mode that is preliminarily set is set. When an express mode is selected, an express mode sending route setting part 4 automatically sets an express sending mode, and when a special express mode is selected, a special express mode sending route setting part 5 automatically sets a special express sending mode. After such sending modes are set, a sending processing part 6 sends a slip to the next sender according to a sending route that is automatically set. With this, sending is quickly performed without changing sending routes of a slip one by one even when a due data is impending and the slip is urgently sent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a workflow apparatus for automatically distributing and circulating documents and slips to a person who performs each procedure for documents and slips completed through a plurality of procedures or operations. It is about the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a network system in which a plurality of computers are connected, data files for storing the contents of the documents, slips, and the like are transmitted in a predetermined circulation order between the computers used by the procedure executors. A circulation system or the like can be considered as a workflow device. Therefore, it can be said that the workflow device is actually a system based on a file circulation processing program stored in each computer of the network system or the server.

[0003] With the spread of computer systems and network systems in recent years and the digitization of various processes, this workflow device is becoming widespread in various fields such as, for example, voucher processing in banks and authentication procedures for various documents.

[0004] Now, in a conventional workflow device,
A predetermined routing route is set in advance for each form in accordance with the work order and the like and in consideration of efficiency and the like. Therefore, if a matter that needs to be processed urgently with priority over other cases is accepted and the matter is to be processed faster than usual, the initiator who generates the voucher must manually route the route according to the urgency of the voucher. The system has been reset.

[0005]

Therefore, in the conventional workflow apparatus, when it is desired to circulate a slip in a hurry, the circulation route cannot be changed unless the circulation route previously set for each form is set again. However, there is a difficulty that the change work is very troublesome even though the user wants to circulate the data quickly.

Further, in the conventional workflow apparatus, no special check is made for the stay of the circulated slips, which causes the lead time to be prolonged. In other words, the scheduled processing time of a slip that has been circulated is determined by each processor (recipient).
The schedule is not particularly linked to the schedule, and each person who circulates the slip tends to transfer the processing of the stayed slip to his or her free time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a workflow apparatus capable of changing the distribution according to the urgency of a slip when the slip is distributed in a workflow. And a method.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a workflow apparatus capable of reducing the total lead time by automatically controlling the circulation in consideration of the schedule and load of the circulation person. To provide.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 performs each procedure on documents such as slips whose processing is completed or whose contents are approved through a plurality of procedures. In a workflow device for routing documents to a person, at least one routing route is prepared in advance in addition to the default routing route for documents to be routed to the person performing each procedure. When a routing route is selected according to the urgency of the process, the workflow device with an automatic routing mode setting function automatically changes the routing route to the selected route.

[0010] By providing such a configuration, when a slip is circulated in a workflow, even if there is an urgent slip that cannot be processed by a normal circulating route, the invoicing person is newly added. There is no need to create an urgent route, and the distribution according to the urgency of the slip can be set immediately.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a document such as a slip whose processing is completed or whose contents are approved through a plurality of procedures is determined.
In the workflow device that circulates documents to the person who performs each procedure, an initial setting circulation route for documents that are circulated to the person who performs each procedure is prepared. Initially set a routing route that circulates from the initial dispatcher to multiple intermediate circulators in parallel and further concentrates the circulated documents from each intermediate circulator to the final circulator. Automatic routing mode that enables automatic creation and provision based on routes, and when a routing route is selected according to the urgency of document processing, the routing route is automatically changed to the selected route. This is a workflow device with a setting function.

By providing such a configuration, in addition to having the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 1, a new routing route that can respond to the degree of urgency can be created and provided as a selectable route. .

[0013] Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the document is circulated in parallel from the initial sender to the intermediate circulator including the final circulator. This is a workflow device with an automatic routing mode setting function that can automatically create and provide a routing route based on an initial setting routing route.

By providing such a configuration, the same operation and effect as those of the first and second aspects of the invention can be obtained.
A new routing route can be created by a method different from that of the second aspect, and can be provided as a selectable route.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3, wherein automatic selection of a routing route according to the degree of urgency is performed automatically based on the processing deadline of the document. This is a workflow device with a mode setting function.

By providing such a structure, the same operation and effect as those of the inventions according to claims 1 to 3 can be obtained.
The burden on the drafting party can be further reduced, and efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, the invention corresponding to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1.
In the inventions corresponding to (1) to (4), the residence time of the document at the destination is periodically checked, and the slip staying for a certain period of time or more is skipped by the dispatcher and sent to the next recipient automatically. This is a workflow device with an attached mode setting function.

By providing such a configuration, the same operation and effect as those of the inventions according to claims 1 to 4 can be obtained.
The total lead time can be shortened. On the other hand, an invention corresponding to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the residence time is stored as a history,
This is a workflow device with an automatic circulation mode setting function that can promote work improvement by analyzing the stay history.

By providing such a structure, the same operation and effect as those of the inventions according to claims 1 to 5 can be obtained.
A stay history can be provided, and by analyzing this, work improvement can be encouraged.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 6, further comprising schedule storage means for storing a schedule of a person to whom the document is circulated,
This is a workflow device with an automatic circulation mode setting function for automatically reserving the processing of a document in a vacant time of the remittant's schedule and notifying the sender of the reservation result.

By providing such a structure, the same operation and effect as those of the inventions according to claims 1 to 6 can be obtained.
By making a reservation in the schedule, reliable slip processing can be realized.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claims 1 to 7, wherein there are a plurality of circulation candidates who can process or approve the document. In the case where any of the candidates should perform the processing, the load of each candidate is compared based on the schedule extracted from the schedule storage unit that stores the schedule of the candidate, and the candidate having the minimum load is determined. This is a workflow device with an automatic circulation mode setting function for determining the circulation of a document.

By providing such a structure, the same operation and effect as those of the inventions according to claims 1 to 7 can be obtained.
More efficient slip processing can be realized. Still further, the invention corresponding to claim 9 is the invention according to claims 1 to 8, wherein a document such as a slip whose processing is completed or whose contents are approved through a plurality of procedures is sent to a person who performs each procedure. In a workflow apparatus for circulating documents, at least one circulating route is prepared in advance in addition to an initial setting circulating route for a certain document to be circulated to a person who performs each procedure. This is a workflow method having an automatic routing mode setting function of automatically changing the routing route to the selected route when a routing route is selected. By providing such means, the present invention has the same operation and effect as the invention corresponding to claim 1.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. (First Embodiment of the Invention) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a network system to which a workflow device with an automatic circulation mode setting function according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

This network system comprises a plurality of computers 11 such as personal computers and workstations connected to a data transmission line 12. In addition, the network system has one of the system purposes of creating and processing slips. Each computer 11 is provided with a slip processing unit 13 for processing slips, and each slip is routed through a predetermined routing route. A workflow processing unit 14 is provided as a means for performing the operation. The slip processing unit 13 and the workflow processing unit 14 are realized by a program executed by each computer 11.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the workflow processing unit of the present embodiment. This workflow processing unit 14
Includes a slip input creation unit 1 and a circulation mode selection input unit 2
And mode determination unit 3 and express mode circulation route setting unit 4
And an express mode routing route setting unit 5 and a routing processing unit 6
And the next destination processing unit 7 are provided, and are connected to the slip processing unit 13.

The slip input creation unit 1 is used when issuing a slip, opens a slip on a screen, inputs necessary data, and creates a slip for circulation. Clock mode selection input unit 2
Is configured to allow the initiator to select a circulation mode according to the urgency of the form to be circulated with respect to the form created by the form input creation unit 1. The circulation mode includes three modes: a normal mode, an express mode, and an express mode. The default mode is the normal mode.

The mode determination unit 3 determines the mode selected by the circulation mode selection input unit 2 and requests each of the setting units 4 and 5 to make a setting in accordance with the mode, or sends a request to the processing unit 6 to transmit a slip. Request for attachment processing.

When the mode determining unit 3 determines that the express mode is selected, the express mode routing route setting unit 4 automatically sets the route of the express mode routing route. in this case,
The express mode circulation route can prepare a predetermined express route in advance, and the express mode circulation route setting unit 4 converts the ordinary mode circulation route to the express mode circulation route based on logic described later. It is also possible to create

When the mode determining section 3 determines that the limited express mode is selected, the limited express mode route setting section 5 automatically sets the limited express mode route. in this case,
The limited express mode routing route can prepare a predetermined limited express route in advance, and the limited express mode routing route setting unit 5 converts the regular mode restricted route to the limited mode restricted route based on logic described later. It is also possible to create

If the routing mode is not changed according to the setting result in each of the setting sections 4 and 5 or the request for the routing processing by the mode determining section 3, the routing processing section 6 changes to the normal mode. In this case, the slip is automatically routed to the next person according to each route.

The next destination processing unit 7 receives the forwarded slip and performs processing. That is, the next destination processing unit 7
Receives the circulation slip and processes the slip in the slip processing unit 1.
After the predetermined condition is satisfied, a process for routing the slip to the next destination is performed according to the route setting contents set in the slip.

Next, the operation of the workflow device having the automatic circulation mode setting function according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. When issuing a new slip, first, the slip input creation unit 1 creates a slip in which necessary items are input and circulated.

Next, the slip creator selects and inputs one of the routing modes shown in FIG. 2 using the routing mode selection input unit 2 according to the urgency of the slip. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing each example of the circulation mode in the workflow device of the present embodiment.

That is, when a mode is selected, the mode determining section 3 determines which of the selected circulating modes is selected. First, in the case of the normal mode, a preset routing route is set. FIG. 3 shows an example of the normal mode. In this case, each issuer A, B,
C, D, and E are sequentially circulated.

When the express mode is selected, the express mode rerouting route setting unit 4 automatically sets the express rerouting mode. In the case shown in FIG. 3, in the express mode, each of the assignees A, B, C, D, and E is referred to as the assignees B, C, and D between the first assignee A and the last assignee E. Are set into three types, and a three-time route is set in the order of the first circulator → the circulator in the middle → the last circulator.

That is, the circulating person is circulated in parallel,
Make sure to turn to the last assignee. This allows
It is always possible to circulate to the final dispatcher in the third dispatch, and the final dispatcher can complete the voucher processing by combining the processes. The express mode circulation route setting unit 4 creates the express mode circulation route from the normal mode by the above-described method when the express mode circulation route is not registered in advance.

When the express mode is selected, the express mode circulating route setting section 5 automatically sets the express mode. In the limited express mode, after the same three types of classification as in the express mode, as shown in FIG.
A two-time route, that is, the last recruiter, is set. The circulating person will be notified of the circulation at the same time, but will not be circulated to the final circulating person. As a result, it is always possible to circulate to the final circulator in the second circumstance, and the final circulator can promptly take a measure corresponding to the urgency of the slip. The limited express mode route setting section 5 creates a limited express mode route from the normal mode by the above-described method when the limited express route is not registered in advance.

After such a route is set,
The remittance processing unit 6 transmits the slip to the next assignee according to the rerouting route automatically set. The transmitted slip is received and processed by the next attachment processing unit 7.

As described above, the workflow device with the automatic circulation mode setting function according to the embodiment of the present invention automatically distributes a voucher in accordance with the urgency of the voucher circulation when circulating the voucher in the workflow. Since I changed the mode,
Even if the deadline is imminent and you want to circulate the voucher urgently, you can quickly circulate the voucher without having to change the routing route of the voucher and shorten the lead time of the voucher circulation. Can be. (Second Embodiment of the Invention) The workflow device of the present embodiment is obtained by adding an automatic function for determining the circulating mode to the device of the first embodiment. Description is omitted.

In the workflow device with an automatic circulating mode setting function according to the present embodiment, when the circulating mode selection input unit 2 sets the circulating mode, whether the circulating mode setting process is manual or automatic. Can be initialized by the user.

The processing of the circulation mode selection input unit 2 when the mode is set to manual is the same as that described in the first embodiment. The circulation mode is automatically set according to the following rules from the date limit.

Conditions for setting the routing mode • The number of days remaining until the voucher period <1 → Express mode • 1 ≦ The number of days remaining until the voucher period ≦ 3 → Express mode • The number of days remaining until the voucher period> 3 → Normal mode When the initial setting is automatic, the workflow device with the automatic routing mode setting function configured as described above performs the above-described automatic route setting and operates in the same manner as the workflow device of the first embodiment.

As described above, the workflow device with the automatic circulation mode setting function according to the embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and furthermore, any one of the workflow devices based on the slip date. It is now automatically determined whether or not to select the mode, so when setting the circulating mode, it is not necessary to manually enter the mode in the human system for the judgment of the express mode, express mode and normal mode. The operation can be simplified by judging the mode in advance.

In the present embodiment, the slip date is used as a selection criterion. However, other selection criteria that can be ruled to some extent, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the slip date by the number of times is used as a selection criterion. Is also good. (Third Embodiment of the Invention) The workflow device of the present embodiment is obtained by adding an automatic waiting time judgment function to the device of the first or second embodiment, and is the same as the first or second embodiment. The description of the parts is omitted.

In the workflow device with the automatic circulating mode setting function of the present embodiment, the next allocating section 7 has an automatic waiting time for preventing the stagnation at the circulating destination in order to further reduce the lead time of the circulating. It has a judgment function.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the next attachment processing section 7 in the workflow device of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the next assignment processing section 7 has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, and further includes a staying time determination section 71 and a next assignment destination sending section 72.

The residence time determination unit 71 is activated every hour (1H) and checks the residence time of the slip at the current destination. If the staying time exceeds 24 hours (24H) and there is a next assignee, the staying time determining unit 71 skips the current assignee and sends the next assignee to the next assignee. Let it.

The series of routes is stored as a history in a storage means (not shown). The stored history is used to analyze who tends to stay the slip and to improve the work.

The workflow device with the automatic routing mode setting function configured as described above skips routing when a predetermined waiting time is exceeded, and operates similarly to the workflow device of the first or second embodiment. .

As described above, the workflow device with the automatic circulation mode setting function according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured in the same manner as the first or second embodiment, and additionally, the residence time at the circulation destination. Is periodically checked to determine the next assignee, and the circulation is automatically controlled in consideration of the scheduler's schedule and load, so the approver is absent or does not perform any processing Can be prevented from occurring, and the total lead time of the slip can be shortened. In addition, it is possible to clarify the slip stay regulars and to promote work improvement. (Fourth Embodiment of the Invention) The workflow apparatus of the present embodiment is obtained by adding an automatic waiting time automatic judgment function of an automatic schedule reservation function to the apparatus of the first to third embodiments. The description of the same parts as those of the embodiment is omitted.

In the workflow device with the automatic circulation mode setting function of the present embodiment, the slip is forwarded to the next attachment processing unit 7 in a workflow in order to ensure that the person who circulated the slip performs the process. A function to automatically reserve the processing of a slip on the schedule of the dispatcher has been added.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the next attachment processing unit 7 in the workflow device of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the next attachment processing unit 7 has the same configuration as that of the first to third embodiments, and also includes a circulation slip reception unit 73, a schedule extraction unit 74, a schedule storage unit 75, and a standard processing. A time storage unit 76, a schedule reservation unit 77, and a scheduled processing time notification unit 78 are provided.

The circulated slip receiving section 73 receives a circulated slip. The schedule extracting unit 74 extracts the schedule of the dispatcher, that is, the slip processor, from the schedule storing unit 75.

The schedule reservation unit 77 generates a slip based on the extracted schedule and the standard processing time required for the circulator to be processed from the standard processing time storage unit 76 to process the reception slip. Assign processing.

Further, when the reservation of the schedule is completed, the schedule reservation unit 77 stores the reservation information in the schedule storage unit 75, and sends the slip to the sender of the slip via the scheduled processing time notification unit 78. Notify the scheduled processing time.

The standard processing time storage section 76 takes an average value from the slip processing results of the dispatcher and collects information on the standard processing time. Also, the standard processing time can be set by the circulator.

The workflow device with the automatic circulation mode setting function thus configured operates in the same manner as the workflow devices of the first to third embodiments, in addition to performing automatic scheduling.

As described above, the workflow device with the automatic circulation mode setting function according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured in the same manner as the first to third embodiments, and also changes from the workflow to the schedule of the circulation person. Since the processing time of the slip is automatically incorporated, it is possible to prevent the slip from being postponed and the slip to be forgotten, or to prevent the slip from being forgotten.

Thus, planned slip processing can be reliably performed. In addition, by notifying the sender of the processing time of the slip sent by the sender, it is possible to make a prediction of the processing of the slip, and the follow-up work is reduced. (Fifth Embodiment of the Invention) The workflow device of the present embodiment is obtained by adding an automatic load distribution function to the device of the first to fourth embodiments, and the same parts as those of the first to fourth embodiments will be described. The description is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a workflow pattern according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the workflow device with the automatic circulation mode setting function of the present embodiment,
When there are a plurality of persons to be circulated and if it is sufficient for some of them to perform processing such as approval, the circulation processing unit 6 automatically looks at the load of each person and circulates to the person with the minimum load. Judge as follows. That is, it has an automatic load distribution function.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the routing processing unit in the workflow device of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the circulation processing unit 6 has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, and further includes a schedule extraction unit 61, a schedule storage unit 62, a load calculation unit 63, and a minimum load person determination unit 64.
And a transmission unit 65.

The schedule extracting unit 61 stores the schedule storing unit 6 when the assignee A in FIG. 6 determines the next assignee, for example.
Then, the schedules B, C, and D are extracted from 2. The load calculation unit 63 calculates the loads on the days B, C, and D from the schedule extracted by the schedule extraction unit 61.

The minimum loader determining unit 64 includes a load calculating unit 63
The person having the least load among B, C, and D is determined based on the load calculated in (1). The transmitting unit 65 transmits the slip to the least-loaded person determined by the least-loaded person determining unit 64.

The workflow device with the automatic circulation mode setting function thus configured operates in the same manner as the workflow devices of the first to fourth embodiments, in addition to performing the automatic load distribution processing.

As described above, the workflow device with the automatic circulation mode setting function according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured in the same manner as the first to fourth embodiments, and also includes a plurality of circulation candidates. However, if any of them should approve, the loader is determined by looking at the load of each person, so that the loader's load can be distributed and the lead time of slip distribution can be shortened. Can be achieved.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the workflow processing unit 1
4 is provided, but the present invention is not limited to such a format. For example, a server computer may be provided so that the main functions of the workflow described in each embodiment are collectively assigned to the server. Good.

The method described in the embodiment can be executed by a computer as a program such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory. And can also be transmitted and distributed via a communication medium. A computer that implements the present apparatus reads a program recorded on a storage medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the program.

[0068]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the route to be routed is automatically selected according to the urgency of the slip. It is possible to provide a workflow device and a method that can be transferred.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a workflow apparatus capable of shortening the total distribution lead time by automatically controlling the distribution in consideration of the schedule and load of the distributor. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a network system to which a workflow device with an automatic circulation mode setting function according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a detailed configuration of a workflow processing unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing each example of a circulation mode in the workflow device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a next-time attachment processing unit in a workflow device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a next-time processing unit in a workflow device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a workflow pattern according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view showing a configuration example of a routing processing unit in the workflow device of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slip input preparation part 2 ... Routing mode selection input part 3 ... Mode judgment part 4 ... Express mode circulation route setting part 5 ... Express mode circulation route setting part 6 ... Routing processing part 7 ... Next destination processing part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Computer 12 ... Data transmission line 13 ... Slip processing part 14 ... Workflow processing part 61 ... Schedule extraction part 62 ... Schedule storage part 63 ... Load calculation part 64 ... Minimum load person determination part 65 ... Transmission part 71 ... Residence time judgment part 72: next destination sending section 73: round slip receiving section 74: schedule extracting section 75: schedule storage section 76: standard processing time storage section 77: schedule reservation section 78: scheduled processing time notification section

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A workflow device for circulating a document such as a slip whose processing is completed or whose contents are approved through a plurality of procedures to a person who performs each procedure, wherein the workflow apparatus performs each of the procedures. In addition to the initially set routing route for documents to be routed to the user, at least one routing route is prepared in advance, and when the routing route is selected according to the urgency of processing the document, the routing route is set to the relevant routing route. A workflow device with an automatic routing mode setting function, wherein the setting is automatically changed to a selected route. 2. A workflow apparatus for circulating a document such as a slip whose processing is completed or whose contents are approved through a plurality of procedures to a person who performs each procedure, wherein the workflow apparatus performs each of the procedures. There is an initial routing route for documents to be routed to the sender, and in addition to the routing route, the documents are routed from the initial sender to multiple intermediate routers in parallel, and further routed in parallel It is possible to automatically create and provide a circulation route that concentrates the obtained documents from each intermediate circulation person to the final circulation person based on the default circulation route, and the urgency of the processing of the documents. A workflow device with an automatic routing mode setting function, wherein when a routing route is selected in accordance with the setting, the routing route is automatically changed to the selected route. 3. A route for automatically circulating the document from an initial sender to an intermediate circulator including a final circulator is also automatically created and provided based on the default route. The workflow device with an automatic circulation mode setting function according to claim 2, characterized in that the workflow device is capable of performing the operation. 4. The automatic routing according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the routing route according to the degree of urgency is automatically performed based on a processing deadline of the document. Workflow device with mode setting function. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the residence time of the document at the destination is periodically checked, and a slip staying for a predetermined time or more is skipped and sent to the next recipient. The workflow device with an automatic circulation mode setting function according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The automatic routing mode according to claim 1, wherein the staying time is stored as a history, and the staying history is analyzed to promote work improvement. Workflow device with setting function. 7. A schedule storing means for storing a schedule of a person to whom the document is circulated, wherein the processing of the document is automatically reserved in a vacant time of the schedule of the circulator, and the result of the reservation is transmitted to the sender. The workflow device with an automatic circulation mode setting function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the notification is made. 8. When there are a plurality of circulating candidates capable of processing or approving the document, and when it is sufficient for any of the candidates to perform actual processing or approval, the candidate The load of each candidate is compared based on the schedule retrieved from the schedule storage means for storing the schedule of the user, and the circulation of the document to the candidate with the minimum load is determined. Any one of 7
Workflow device with automatic circulation mode setting function described in section. 9. A workflow device for circulating a document, such as a slip, whose processing is completed or whose contents are approved through a plurality of procedures to a person who performs each procedure, wherein each workflow is performed. At least one routing route is prepared in advance in addition to the default routing route for a document to be routed to a user. When the routing route is selected according to the urgency of processing the document, the routing route is selected. A workflow method having an automatic routing mode setting function, wherein the setting is automatically changed to a route that has been set.