Business process integration and automation in ERP system environment : integration of applications and workflows

Business process integration and automation have gained popularity among business community, in the recent past. This increased popularity can be seen as a result of the widespread use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems as part of maximizing the benefits of Business Process Reengineering (BPR) projects. This paper presents a framework for integrating applications and workflows within an ERP system environment. The framework is based on enhanced Eventdriven Process Chain (EPC) methodology, incorporating unitary structure-based models for business process applications and workflows. Main features of the proposed framework include (i) individual application and workflow models, incorporating many components, relationships and links; (ii) integrated model as a basis for common application/workflow transactions within ERP systems. The proposed framework is illustrated using individual models for sales order process and quotation approval workflow and integrated model of sales order with the quotation approval workflow. The proposed framework eliminates need for separate execution of business processes (normal transactions) and workflows involved in many process cycles within an ERP system. It also simplifies the implementation of both applications and workflows using a single implementation cycle. Further, the framework highlights the visibility, flexibility and connectivity of business processes and workflows as well as data elements and structures involved.