Workflow Technologies Meet the Internet

Workflow systems are increasingly used in large enterprises for automating complex business processes, where demands are placed on high performance, continuous availability, and end-user mobility. Furthermore, the ubiquitous Internet and Intranets are rapidly becoming the distributed infrastructure over which enterprises want to deploy such services. In this paper, we discuss the opportunities provided by Internet/Intranet technologies to enhance the capabilities of a workflow system. The use of Web browser-based open clients allows users to interact with a workflow system from virtually any computer. Advanced features such as applets allow the end user to dynamically acquire workflow applications and tools. In contrast to existing workflow systems, which have monolithic “workflow engines” and system specific server/client connections, we propose an architecture consisting of distributed, dynamically configurable server components, interacting with one other through messages. Redundant workflow servers can be easily added to meet load demand and to provide high availability. Finally, for inter-enterprise processes (such as those arising in electronic commerce), we describe techniques that facilitate cooperation and synchronization across process boundaries without compromising security or autonomy.