Problem Description
The Team at Computer Support Services Incorporated (CSSI) is looking for an open interface solution to provide easily definable standardized object and data flows. In today’s business world many standardized process are performed manually, thus the term “paper pusher”. However, with the advancement in technologies more and more objects are moving from paper to digitized formats. The solution should provide a way to define and dictate standard business process workflows utilizing digital objects such as scanned images, PDF’s, email, standardized office documents(word, excel, etc.), video, pictures etc.
Goals
- Workflows should be definable via standard configuration tool with object oriented interface(think Visio or similar)
- Should provide simple if-then-else process
- System should provide tight integration to independent user interfaces via database or API
- Primary end user interface will be a third party solution that will communicate with the workflow engine
- Should integrate to applications such as Microsoft Dynamics products and SAP solutions via database or API
- Should provide multiple “trigger” and exit opportunities (what starts and moves and object through a workflow?)
- Email from specific address arrives in email system
- Email to specific address arrives in email system
- Object is present in specific folder
- Date
- Data object is present in third party application
- Data object is greater, less than, or equal to x
- Data object is present
- Data object is present within the object
- Data object is greater, less than, or equal to x
- Data object is present
- Provide tight security of objects including the ability to encrypt objects
- Solution should have standard user security and management rights with active directory capabilities
- Provide ability to provide objects to web based solution/interface for display or open in native application if required
- Should provide for parallel processing of objects
- Create audit trail of each action while an object is in the workflow
- Create historical database of object timeline for statistical review of processing times
- Should provide a status page displaying all objects in process in workflow
Constraints
- SharePoint based repository will be the primary data storage area, but should work with others
- Solution must be web based
- Should be database independent (SQL, Oracle, etc.)
Criteria
- Provide objects to parent application in a timely fashion(sub second response): Larger objects should present initial portion of object and retrieve remaining portion of possible behind the scenes, when possible
- Minimize data transfer requirements
Resources, Intellectual Property, and Licensing
- Certain Microsoft applications may be needed for testing purposes during development. As a Microsoft partner, CSSI will work with the team to provide the required applications.
- The CSSI team can provide access to similar type solutions for idea generation. No proprietary data formats should be required.
- The CSSI team is requesting licensing rights and ownership of all intellectual property created under this agreement.
- The CSSI team is requesting a nondisclosure agreement.
Points of Contact