An Approach to Design Reusable Workflow Engine

Developers still need design workflow system according to users＇ specific needs, though workflow management coalition standardized the five kinds of abstract interfaces in workflow reference model. Specific business process characteristics are still supported by specific workflow system. A set of common functionalities of workflow engine are abstracted from business component, so the reusability of business component is extended into workflow engine and composition method is proposed. Needs of different business requirements and characteristics are met by reusing the workflow engine.

Adaptive resource allocation for workflow containerization on Kubernetes

In a cloud-native era,the Kubernetes-based workflow engine enables workflow containerized execution through the inherent abilities of Kubernetes.However,when encountering continuous workflow requests and unexpected resource request spikes,the engine is limited to the current workflow load information for resource allocation,which lacks the agility and predictability of resource allocation,resulting in over and underprovisioning resources.This mechanism seriously hinders workflow execution efficiency and leads to high resource waste.To overcome these drawbacks,we propose an adaptive resource allocation scheme named adaptive resource allocation scheme(ARAS)for the Kubernetes-based workflow engines.Considering potential future workflow task requests within the current task pod’s lifecycle,the ARAS uses a resource scaling strategy to allocate resources in response to high-concurrency workflow scenarios.The ARAS offers resource discovery,resource evaluation,and allocation functionalities and serves as a key component for our tailored workflow engine(KubeAdaptor).By integrating the ARAS into KubeAdaptor for workflow containerized execution,we demonstrate the practical abilities of KubeAdaptor and the advantages of our ARAS.Compared with the baseline algorithm,experimental evaluation under three distinct workflow arrival patterns shows that ARAS gains time-saving of 9.8% to 40.92% in the average total duration of all workflows,time-saving of 26.4% to 79.86% in the average duration of individual workflow,and an increase of 1% to 16% in centrol processing unit(CPU)and memory resource usage rate.

CA-PLAN, a Service-Oriented Workflow

Workflow management systems (WfMSs) are accepted worldwide due to their ability to model and control business processes. Previously, we defined an intra-organizational workflow specification model, Process LANguage (PLAN). PLAN, with associated tools, allowed a user to describe a graph specification for processes, artifacts, and participants in an organization. PLAN has been successfully implemented in Agentflow to support workflow (Agentflow) applications. PLAN, and most current WfMSs are designed to adopt a centralized architecture so that they can be applied to a single organization. However, in such a structure, participants in Agentflow applications in different organizations cannot serve each other with workflows. In this paper, a service-oriented cooperative workflow model, Cooperative Agentflow Process LANguage (CA-PLAN) is presented. CA-PLAN proposes a workflow component model to model inter-organizational processes. In CA-PLAN, an inter-organizational process is partitioned into several intra-organizational processes. Each workflow system inside an organization is modeled as an Integrated Workflow Component (IWC). Each IWC contains a process service interface, specifying process services provided by an organization, in conjunction with a remote process interface specifying what remote processes are used to refer to remote process services provided by other organizations, and intra-organizational processes. An IWC is a workflow node and participant. An inter-organizational process is made up of connections among these process services and remote processes with respect to different IWCs. In this paper, the related service techniques and supporting tools provided in Agentflow systems are presented.

FMS-Workflow Modeling Based on P-Timed Stochastic Petri Net

In this paper, we propose astochastic Petri net model P-timed Workflow (WPTSPN) to specify, verify, and analyze a business process (BP) of a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS). After formalizing the semantics of our model, we illustrate how to verifysome of its properties (reachability, safety, boundedness, liveness, correctness, alive tokens, and security) in the P-Timed context. Next, we validate the relevance of the proposed model with MATLAB simulation through a specific FMS case study. Finally, we use a generalized truncated density function to predict the duration of a token’s sojourn (residence) in a timed place with respect to the sequence states of the global FMS workflow.

Analysis of response time probability distribution of workflows

An evaluation approach for the response time probability distribution of workflows based on the fluid stochastic Petri net formalism is presented. Firstly, some problems about stochastic workflow net modeling are discussed. Then how to convert a stochastic workflow net model into a fluid stochastic Petri net model is described. The response time distribution can be obtained directly upon the transient state solution of the fluid stochastic Petri net model. In the proposed approach, there are not any restrictions on the structure of workflow models, and the processing times of workflow tasks can be modeled by using arbitrary probability distributions. Large workflow models can be efficiently tackled by recursively using a net reduction technique.

Generation of Interactive Questionnaires Using YAWL-based Workflow Models

A concept is introduced in this article which has strong practical impact for computer aided system configuration. System configuration is a cumbersome and fault sensitive task while setting up systems in a broad range of business applications like ERP （enterprise resource planning） and other workflow-systems. Given a generic process or workflow model in YAWL-notation （yet another workflow language） or any other process modeling language like business process model and notation or WFMC （workflow management coalition）, it could be stated that, by using a set of reduction rules as introduced, it is possible to generate a hierarchically structured tree of sub graphs of the workflow graph-representation. According to the notation used, authors call these sub graphs facts. The tree structure of the graph-representation on one hand and the logical relation between the branches and leafs of the tree on the other can be utilized to create a set of constraints and dependencies among the single facts. Some researchers showed that the nested branches can be associated to （predefined） questions with respect to the configuration of a workflow management system, for instance an ERP-application. They presented an algorithm which dynamically sorts the questions and answers in a maximum efficient configuration path, while working through the corresponding questionnaire. By combining the different elements as facts, constraints on questions, and configuration space, it is thus possible to algorithmically generate the efficient structured and interactive questionnaire for the configuration of workflow systems and algorithmically check the consistency （dead lock free, free of synchronization structural conflict） of the underlying workflow model. The concept was tested in the prototype of the interactive questionnaire for configuration of the web-service based ERP-Application Posity.

基于EJB和JMS实现的Workflow系统

工作流系统是一种智能化的信息系统。在经营过程中,它既能将相关信息以电子方式自动地传送到经营过程中指定的地点,又能管理和协调这些信息。随着现代信息技术的发展,工作流系统也日益得以完善,被看作是实施BPR的有效途径。提出了一种基于EJB组件化设计思想实现的工作流系统,并且在系统中采用了JMS消息管理机制。

一种基于XML的Workflow过程定义语言

工作流是指一个业务操作从开始到结束的整个过程,是一系列相互衔接、自动进行的业务活动或任务,它在流程管理方面有很重要的应用。由于工作流程和业务规则的变更会经常发生,所以提供一种好的Workflow过程定义方法或语言已经成为目前工作流技术得以进一步发展和广泛应用的关键。在WPDL的基础上提出了一种基于XML的简单易用的Workflow过程定义语言。

Research on Petri Net Based Modeling and Analyzing Methods for Workflow Process

Workflow management is an important aspect in CSCW at present. The elementary knowledge of workflow process is introduced, the Petri nets based process modeling methodology and basic definitions are provided, and the analysis and verification of structural and behavioral correctness of workflow process are discussed. Finally, the algorithm of verification of process definitions is proposed.

An Effective Approach to Verify the Correctness of Workflow Process Models Based on Petri Net

Along with the extensive use of workflow, analysis methods to verify the correctness of the workflow are becoming more and more important. In the paper, we exploit the verification method based on Petri net for workflow process models which deals with the verification of workflow and finds the potential errors in the process design. Additionally, an efficient verification algorithm is given.

企业协同知识管理工作流模型研究——基于action workflow方法

在借鉴问题解决导向的企业知识管理的过程描述基础上,指出企业协同知识管理过程是以协同知识库为核心的协同问题解决过程,并结合企业协同知识管理的工作流建模要求,论述了action work-flow工作流建模方法的特点,以及action workflow方法在企业协同知识管理中的应用。

AGENT-BASED WORKFLOW COORDINATION FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

To align customer demand with suppliers for reducing work in process and supply costs and increasing re sp onsiveness to customer requirements, a real time collaborative supply chain mana gement system is essential. A solution to the realization of supply chain manage ment capable of timely responding to customer requirements is proposed. Workflow automation is used to manage process interaction across enterprises; Agents can be automatically invoked by supply chain workflow process and are used to pro mote the flexibility and reconfigurability by providing the mechanism in support of distributed compution in an enterprises to meet the requirements of performa nce and business dynamics. An approach that supports agent based workflow proce ss in a supply chain is proposed. And the coordination mechanism between agents is also discussed.

An Inter-enterprise Workflow Model for Supply Chain and B2B E-commerce

The goals of B2B electronic commerce and supply chain management system are to implement interoperability of independent enterprises, to smooth the information flow between them and to deploy business processes over multiple enterprises. The inherent characteristics of workflow system make it suitable to implement the cross organization management. This paper, firstly, proposes an inter enterprises workflow model based on the agreement to support the construction of supply chain management system and B2B electronic commerce. This model has extended the standard workflow model. After that, an architecture which supports the model has been introduced, especially it details the structure and implementation of interfaces between enterprises.

From Workflow to Interworkflow

Workflow management systems are being introduced in many organizations to automate the business process. The initial emphasis of introducing a workflow management system is on its application to the workflow in a given organization. The next step is to interconnect the workflow across organizations. We call it interworkflow, and the total support technologies, which are necessary for its realization, interworkflow management mechanism. Interworkflow is being expected as a supporting mechanism for Business to Business Electronic Commerce. We had proposed this management mechanism and confirmed its realization with the prototype. At the same time, the interface and the protocol for interconnecting heterogeneous workflow management systems has been standardized by the WfMC. So, we advance the project of the implementation of interworkflow management system for the practical use and its experimental proof.

基于Workflow的智能化数控程序编制

在Edgecam软件中研究了基于Workflow模式的数控程序智能自动化编程问题,首先,提出了Workflow的编程流程,而后,论述了数据接口转换、特征识别和加工策略定制等关键技术,最后以某典型零件的加工实例证明了方法的有效性,实现了制造的智能化和快速化,为其他产品的智能编程提供了借鉴。

基于Workflow的出差审批和费用报销系统的设计与实现

通过对出差和费用报销系统的业务流程分析,根据Workflow引擎设计和系统总体设计、功能设计,并以Web应用为背景,给出了出差审批和报销系统的解决方案。该方案有较强的实用性和通用性,为类似系统的设计和开发提供了思路和方法。

Context-aware Workflow Model for Supporting Composite Workflows

In recent years, several researchers have applied workflow technologies for service automation on ubiquitous compating environments. However, most context-aware workflows do not offer a method to compose several workflows in order to get mare large-scale or complicated workflow. They only provide a simple workflow model, not a composite workflow model. In this paper, the autorhs propose a context-aware workflow model to support composite workflows by expanding the patterns of the existing context-aware wrY：flows, which support the basic woddlow patterns. The suggested workflow model of. fers composite workflow patterns for a context-aware workflow, which consists of various flow patterns, such as simple, split, parallel flows, and subflow. With the suggested model, the model can easily reuse few of existing workflows to make a new workflow. As a result, it can save the development efforts and time of context-aware workflows and increase the workflow reusability. Therefore, the suggested model is expected to make it easy to develop applications related to context-aware workflow services on ubiquitous computing environments.

Workflow logs analysis system for enterprise performance measurement

Workflow logs that record the execution of business processes offer very valuable data resource for real-time enterprise performance measurement. In this paper, a novel scheme that uses the technology of data warehouse and OLAP to explore workflow logs and create complex analysis reports for enterprise performance measurement is proposed. Three key points of this scheme are studied: 1) the measure set; 2) the open and flexible architecture for workflow logs analysis system; 3) the data models in WFMS and data warehouse. A case study that shows the validity of the scheme is also provided.

基于异构消息匹配QoS全局最优E-workflow组合研究

提出了一种分布消息匹配的工作流组合方法。移动agent代理E-service,构成一个自治的感知单元,移动agent通过语义的协商确认匹配关系,E-workflow组合可以通过移动agent的演化完成。通过接口消息对应匹配的方法,完成了服务之间关系的确定,建立工作流组合的全局结构,将E-workflow的QoS全局优化转化为一个多目标的优化问题,通过基于快速排序算法改进的NSGA-Ⅱ算法进行求解。通过仿真表明方法实现了分布自组织和全局适应性的功能。

Dynamic hierarchy description and constraint rules of flexibility workflow

A dynamic hierarchical description method for workflow is presented. The method provides a dynamic hierarchical way to define a workflow with non-determinate or dynamic factors. With this method, the main process defined at build-time can be reified and extended by the principle of the sub-organizations at either the build-time or the run-time. To ensure the consistency and integrity of the description, a series of constraint rules are also discussed to realize seamless integration between a decomposed process and its original one. This approach supports the description of unpredictable uncertainties, the dynamic hierarchy of business process, and the dynamic modification of enterprise organizations, and all of these improve the flexibility and extendability of workflow management systems dramatically.