Abstract: A request for quote (RFQ) engine (10) includes a data and metrics designer (22) that generates, in response to input from a user, a data and metrics model (42) for an RFQ template using a data and metrics meta-model (32). The RFQ engine (10) also includes a state transition designer (24) that generates, in response to input from the user, a state transition model (44) for the RFQ template using a state transition meta-model (34). Furthermore, the REQ engine (10) includes a workflow designer (26) that generates, in response to input from the user, a user interface workflow (46) for the RFQ template using a workflow meta-model (36). In addition, the RFQ engine includes an execution engine (40) that executes the RFQ template that includes the data and metrics model (42) generated by the data and metrics designer (22), the state transition model (44) generated by the state transition designer (24), and the user interface workflow (46) generated by the workflow designer (26).

Abstract: A computer implemented method for workflow communication is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, one or more workflows are executed. Then an event manger is triggered on the occurrence of a predefined event on the workflow. Finally, a message based on the event is formulated and sent to a fixed group.

Abstract: An exemplar workflow is disclosed for use in the design and deployment of a workflow for multi-enterprise collaboration. The computer implemented process involves allowing a workflow design to include at least one exemplar workflow. The exemplar workflow is associated with an exemplar node allowing at least one activity to be parameterized over a plurality of nodes within a node group. The process then involves instantiating the workflow such that the at least one exemplar workflow is instantiated as a plurality of activities each associated with a specific node in the node group. The workflow is deployed by distributing the activities over the nodes in the node group to provide multi-enterprise collaboration.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for workflow synchronization is provided. The first step comprises initializing the execution of a plurality of workflows. The next step is providing synchronization logic in at least one of the plurality of workflows. In the third step the execution of a workflow is paused until the synchronization logic is complete. In the final step the execution of the plurality of workflows continues.

Abstract: A computer implemented process is disclosed for enterprise collaboration. The process includes instantiating an object-oriented workflow where the object-oriented workflow comprises objects associated with activities to be performed within the workflow. The objects of the object-oriented workflow are then deployed across enterprise boundaries to nodes on which associated activities are to be performed. After deployment, the deployed objects are executed to provide multi-enterprise collaboration with the activities communicating data using objects that carry both data and behavior. Further, in one embodiment, the process further includes creating in-memory object models at nodes which objects executing at the nodes can access.

Abstract: A computer system for remotely accessing data in a multi-enterprise collaboration comprises a workspace associated with a first enterprise having a plurality of stored objects. The computer system further comprises a network node associated with a second enterprise, the network node being in communication with the workspace across the network. The computer system further comprises an agent generated at the network node, the agent operable to access the workspace via the network, the agent further operable to manipulate at least one of the plurality of stored objects within the workspace to perform a collaboration activity.

Abstract: A computer workspace comprises a plurality of memory slots, the memory slots each operable to store at least one object. The computer workspace further comprises a permissibility framework in communication with the computer workspace, the permissibility framework maintaining access rights to each memory slot. The computer workspace further comprises an event manager in communication with the memory slots and the permissibility framework, the event manager being operable to generate messages in response to the memory slots being accessed and further in response to the access rights maintained by the permissibility framework.

Abstract: A system for providing client callbacks includes a client having a client application and a client firewall operable to block a client callback to the client application from a server. The server includes a server firewall and a server workspace. The server workspace has data protected by the server firewall and a permissibility framework associating a predefined type of the data with the client application. The server workspace is operable to generate a client callback for the client application in response to the presence of the predefined data type. A server-side proxy is operable to provide the client application access to the server workspace through the server firewall. The client application is operable to connect to the server workspace via the server-side proxy to receive the client callback.