Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of integration of applications that are executed by computer systems. In an additional focus, the current invention improves the integration of applications within workflow management systems. The basic approach of the invention to this problem are the features of input container materialization programs and output container dematerialization programs. The materialization programs are executed for an input container before the input container is passed to a process activity. The purpose of the materialization programs is to perform materialization of the input container by retrieving its data members' contents from arbitrary storage areas and/or by manipulating the data-member's contents. The de-materialization programs are executed after a process activity completed execution, and their purpose is to perform de-materialization of the output container by manipulating its data-members' contents and/or storing its data members' contents to arbitrary storage areas.

Abstract: Articles such as garments to be cleaned are associated in a group (e.g., one customer's order). After processing together with articles from other groups, the articles are to be reassembled in their original group units. Coded labels are attached to each of the articles and identify or are cross referenced to its group, e.g., with barcodes. If articles with permanent labels are processed, group codes are assigned and stored for such articles, indexed to the permanent label information. Other articles are each labelled as to their groups. The total count or number of articles in each group is recorded, preferably on the article labels but also possibly in a data memory accessible to a data processor coupled to a scanner. For manually regrouping the articles, a scanner is used and the group identification is determined as articles are encountered. The data processor assigns and indicates visually one of a number of assembly locations to be used temporarily to store the articles for each group.