Abstract: A trading partner conversation management method and system. A trading partner conversation manager (TPCM) manages conversations between a first enterprise and a second enterprise. The TPCM polls a workflow server and determines whether a service type is a send message or a receive message. When the service type is a send message, the TPCM retrieves a service definition, retrieves an XML template, prepares an XML response, and sends the XML message. When the service type is a receive message, the TPCM retrieves a service name and XQL queries, parses the request and extracts data, starts a service and passes the data to the service, obtains service results, retrieves an XML template, prepares an XML response, sends the XML response, and returns control to the workflow server.

Abstract: A method of distributing workload in a workflow management system includes the step of calculating a load index for each engine of the workflow management system. The load index is calculated as an average activity execution delay attributable to the associated engine. The load indices indicate average execution latency between the start of consecutive activity nodes of a process due to engine loading exclusive of resource execution time. Workload is distributed across the plurality of engines in a load sensitive mode. In one embodiment, distribution switches from a load insensitive mode to a load sensitive mode for distributing processes when a maximum differential load index exceeds a first pre-determined threshold. Distribution switches from the load sensitive mode back to the load insensitive workload distribution mode for distributing processes when the maximum differential load index is less than a second pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: Exception analysis, prediction, and prevention method and system. Exception analysis involves identifying the causes of exceptional behaviors (e.g., deviations from the predetermined standard of execution). Exception prediction involves predicting the occurrence of exceptions as early as possible during the process execution. Exception prevention involves taking actions to avoid exceptions. By performing exception analysis, prediction, and prevention, the occurrence of exceptions is reduced, thereby increasing business process quality.

Abstract: Method and system for dynamically selecting a conversation logic at run-time. First, a workflow/composite service engine maintains a repository that has at least one conversation logic. Each conversation logic may be associated to one or more services. At run-time, when the engine needs to execute a node in a work flow that has an unspecified service and an unspecified conversation logic, the engine sends a service selection query to an application (e.g., an e-services platform). Based on the service returned, the dynamic conversation logic selection mechanism selects an appropriate conversation logic from the repository. Entries in the conversation logic repository may be for the exclusive use of a given composite service or shared by two or more composite services.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a context-dependent service is disclosed. In one method embodiment, the present invention accesses a composite service. The present invention further accesses context information. The present invention automatically incorporates the context information with the composite service.

Abstract: A method and system for integrating workflow management systems with business-to-business interaction standards. An automatic business-to-business (B2B) template generator is provided for supporting workflow design. The B2B template generator automatically generates process templates and service templates based either on a description of a business-to-business interaction standard is received or a structured representation of the business-to-business interaction standard. When the (B2B) template generator receives the description of business-to-business interaction standard as the input, the (B2B) template generator first converts the description of the business-to-business interaction standard into a structured representation of the business-to-business interaction standard. At least process template is automatically generated based on the structured representation of the business-to-business interaction standard. The template (e.g.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for analyzing quality of an electronic service (e-service), such as an Internet-based service, hosted by an e-service platform. The provider or separate administrator defines quality of e-service execution by creating quality index records stored in an e-service warehouse. The quality index records allow assigning quality indexes to e-service execution based on specified parameters related to service execution, such as parameters related to transaction duration. As e-services are executed, service data is stored in a log. The service data is processed by an extract-transfer-load (ETL) engine that transfers data from the log to the warehouse. The data is mapped to quality indexes for analysis. The data can be viewed with a reporting tool, such as a dedicated console or a commercially-available analysis tool. Using the tool, the administrator can identify patterns corresponding to poor execution quality and can attempt to resolve the problems.

Abstract: An electronic services modeling tool for composite e-services and functionality, where a composite e-service is an e-service defined by composing other basic or composite e-services. Implementation of an e-service for composing e-services into a composite e-service. Characteristics of composite e-services and of their differences with respect to traditional workflow-like composition. Definition of a composition model suitable for e-services. Description of a prototype implementation, showing an approach that can be Ad reused for implementing composition on top of any E-Services Platform. Providing composition functionality as an e-service, to be used not only by the owner of the ESP, but also by any designer-user. A specific type of e-service, meta-service, called Composition E-Service, allows the definition, execution, management, and monitoring of composite e-services. A language used for specifying the composition. Architecture and implementation of the CES to deliver the service on top of an ESP.

Abstract: An electronic services modeling tool for composite e-services and functionality, where a composite e-service is an e-service defined by composing other basic or composite e-services. Implementation of an e-service for composing e-services into a composite e-service. Characteristics of composite e-services and of their differences with respect to traditional workflow-like composition. Definition of a composition model suitable for e-services. Description of a prototype implementation, showing an approach that can be reused for implementing composition on top of any E-Services Platform. Providing composition functionality as an e-service, to be used not only by the owner of the ESP, but also by any designer-user. A specific type of e-service, meta-service, called Composition E-Service, allows the definition, execution, management, and monitoring of composite e-services. A language used for specifying the composition. Architecture and implementation of the CES to deliver the service on top of an ESP.

Abstract: A multinode activation and termination method and system A method and system is provided for invoking multiple parallel instances of the same node. First, a multinode is defined that allows for multiple parallel activation of the node. At run time, a determination is made of the number of nodes to be activated based on an activation rule. The multinodes are then executed. Each multinode can be provided with different input data for execution, thereby allowing one to fine tune the input and attributes of each node. A termination rule is utilized to determine when the execution of the multinode is completed. When the execution of the multinode is complete, a successor node is then executed. When the execution of the multinode is not complete, processing continues on the multinode.

Abstract: A method of identifying and analyzing business processes includes the step of populating a data warehouse database with data from a plurality of sources including an audit log. The audit log stores information from a plurality of instantiations of a defined process. The data is then analyzed to predict an outcome of a subsequent instance of the process. Data mining techniques such as pattern recognition are applied to the data warehouse data to identify specific patterns of execution. Once the patterns have been identified, the outcome of a subsequent instance of the process can be predicted at nodes other than just the start node. The probability of completion information can be used to modify resource assignments, execution paths, process definitions, activity priority, or resource assignment criteria in subsequent invocations of the defined process.

Abstract: An event-based scheduling method and system for providing automatic activity synchronization and automatic data exchange between workflows and between workflows and other applications. An automatic synchronization mechanism is provided for enabling workflows to interact with other workflows or other applications to automatically synchronize activity execution. An automatic data exchange mechanism is provided for enabling workflows to exchange data with other workflows or other applications. An event processing pre-compilation architecture receives a workflow definition having at least one event node and responsive thereto generates a workflow definition without event nodes at compile time. Each event node is replaced with a translated workflow node that conforms to the syntax supported by the underlying workflow engine. The translated workflow node is also assigned to an application that can implement the desired event node semantics.

Abstract: A computer-enabled workflow process system includes a node group database that stores a group of work nodes referred to by a generic node. A work node defines a workflow action and data items to be read and written when executing the workflow action. The workflow process system also includes a workflow engine that executes a workflow process having the generic node. The workflow engine accesses the node group database for the group of work nodes when the generic node is to be executed so as to allow dynamic composition and modification of the workflow process. Work nodes can be added to or removed from the node group without requiring that the workflow process be redefined. A computer-enabled method of compiling and executing a workflow process having at least a generic node is also described.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing resource management in workflow processing of an enterprise include a multi-level resource manager hierarchy. An upper level includes at least one resource manager having data that represents an enterprise-wide view of resource capabilities. A subordinate second level of resource managers provides partial views of the resource capabilities of the enterprise. These partial views may be based upon organizational or physical boundaries. At a lowermost level of resource managers are local resource managers (LRMs) that include data to track individual resources. Above this lowermost level, the resource managers in the hierarchy track the resources based upon types of resources. Thus, a second level resource manager is configured to be aware of availability of a resource type, but not the availability of an individual resource. Also above the lowermost level, the resource managers are configured to exchange requests for the resources using a number of different messages.

Abstract: A system for allowing consistent execution of a workflow process in a computer-enabled workflow management system is described. The system includes a workflow process database accessible by the workflow process. The workflow process includes at least one sequence of workflow actions, having at least one set of parallel workflow actions and being configured as a plurality of nodes interconnected by arcs. Each node defines at least one of the workflow actions and reading and writing data items when executing the workflow actions. A first module is provided to lock all data items in the workflow process database that are specified for access by the workflow process from being accessed by other workflow processes during execution of the workflow process before the execution of the workflow process is commenced.

Abstract: A system and method for performing flexible workflow process execution in a distributed workflow management system is described. The distributed workflow management system is formed by a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. Each computer has a processor, memory and input/output facilities. A workflow process management system operates on one or more of the computers to control the computer network in executing the workflow process. The workflow process includes at least one sequence of multiple actions. A plurality of resources is coupled to respective ones of the computers to carry out the multiple actions. A plurality of state machines are stored as computer-operable code in at least one memory and include a plurality of states interconnected by arcs logically forming a directed graph. The workflow management system further includes logic for instantiating each action with one state and logic for executing the logical sequence of the action as state transitions in each state machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliable high-speed access to a database system that stores system data in a non-volatile database, stores current data in an online database object cache, the current data reflecting at least a portion of the system data in the non-volatile database and the online database object cache providing the database system with the capability of querying and updating the current data in the online database object cache, logging each message in the database system as an entry in a durable log file, and periodically committing the current data in the online database object cache to the non-volatile database.

Abstract: A system and method for performing scalable distribution of process flow activities in a distributed workflow management system is described. The distributed workflow management system operates over the computer network which includes a plurality of interconnected computers. Each computer includes a processor, memory and input/output facilities. A plurality of resources are each operatively coupled to at least one of the computers and execute at least one of the activities in the process flow. A process flow engine, including a database in which is stored data used in effecting each of the process flow activities, coordinates and schedules execution of the process flow activities on the resources. Bidirectional proxy components are operatively interposed between the process flow engine and the resources.

Abstract: A system and method for performing flexible workflow process compensation in a distributed workflow management system is described. A computer network includes a plurality of interconnected computers. Each computer includes a processor, memory and input/output facilities. The distributed workflow management system operates over the computer network. A plurality of resources perform the workflow process is performed with each resource operatively coupled to at least one of the computers. A process definition diagram includes computer-readable instructions stored in the memory of at least one of the computers and contains a role specification of process activities for performing the workflow process. A resource manager maps the role specification of process activities to at least one of the resources at runtime. A workflow process engine executes each process activity using the mapped resource and compensates a failed process activity responsive to the process definition diagram.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed resource management in a computer network operating under control of workflow management software system (WFMS) to manage plural resources to perform a workflow process that includes multiple process activities, uses two-step resource assignment to manage resources at two levels. The resources are grouped by capabilities into resource groups controlled by a local resource manager (LRM), which maintains dynamic status of each resource, such as availability and load, as well as their roles and addresses. A global resource manager (GRM) stores resource data only about the groups: capabilities and status. The WFMS invokes the GRM, requesting a specified resource activity. The GRM checks the stored capabilities and status among the resource groups, selects the resource group capable of the specified activity and available, and forwards the request to the LRM for the selected group.