[670] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
PR: IBM Announces Business Process Modeler
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Mick Brown)
Sat Feb 17 22:07:58 1996
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: 18 Feb 1996 01:59:57 GMT
From: lfirrantello@BIX.com (Mick Brown)
Reply-To: tsipple@vnet.ibm.com
Reply-To: tsipple@vnet.ibm.com
Submitted by: Timothy F. Sipples
Source: IBM
---------------------------------------------------------------------
IBM Announces Business Process Modeler;
Extends Flowmark Workflow Management to the Internet
ORLANDO, FL, February 6, 1996 . . . Two new software
technologies from IBM enable organizations to model business
processes from their customers' perspective, and extend workflow
management capabilities to users via the Internet. Today at the
GIGA Workflow Conference '96, IBM unveiled the Business Process
Modeler*, a business process design and analysis tool that
graphically models the way work flows through an enterprise,
while highlighting customer activities in the process. A new
Internet Connection to FlowMark*, IBM's workflow management
product, allows customers, vendors and suppliers to initiate
business processes from their World Wide Web browsers. By
linking the Business Process Modeler and FlowMark, organizations
can quickly and easily translate their models into workflow
implementation.
Reengineering with a Customer View
The IBM Business Process Modeler uses advanced Line of
Visibility Enterprise Modeling (LOVEM) methodology to define and
document all of the activities in a business process. With
customer activities as the focal point of the process, this tool
enables an organization to identify ways to improve customer
service, spot new business opportunities, and asses the impact of
change on customers. The Business Process Modeler also captures
critical information, such as time and cost metrics, goals, and
business success factors, enabling organizations to continuously
evaluate and improve their processes. For example, in a mortgage
loan process, all aspects of customer activity are modeled,
ranging from the mortgage application to the time the customer is
notified of the loan's approval or rejection.
Extending Workflow Across the World Wide Web
FlowMark, IBM's strategic workflow product, enables users to
define, implement, track and continually improve the processes
most integral to their business success. The new Internet
Connection to FlowMark integrates workflow processes with the
World Wide Web. Businesses can provide access for their
customers, vendors and suppliers to processes such as insurance
applications. A customer can browse a property insurance
application, for example, and complete a standard Hypertext
Markup Language (HTML) form to receive a customized sales
quotation. This data then can be used to initiate all necessary
processes on the FlowMark server, deliver the customer quote,
and post activities on the sales agent's work list. Using a
standard WWW browser, such as IBM's WebExplorer*, the agent can
access the work list and invoke processes to follow up on the
quotation or process an application.
Platforms, Availability, Pricing
The IBM Business Process Modeler for the OS/2* platform
will begin shipping on February 29, 1996. IBM plans to introduce
Windows** versions later this year. Prices for the Business
Process Modeler are $4,000 per copy; quantity discounts are
available.
The Internet Connection to FlowMark is being shipped on a
limited basis and will be generally available later this year.
FlowMark Version 2.2, announced last November, will be generally
available on February 29, 1996, for a price of $695 per user.
There are quantity discount options. It is available on OS/2 and
AIX* servers and can be connected to build-time clients running
on OS/2 and run-time clients running on OS/2, AIX, and Windows
platforms.
For More Information
Information on IBM, its products, services and technology is
available to Internet users through the IBM home page:
http://www.ibm.com. The fastest, easiest way to get information
about IBM software is to go to the IBM Software home page at
http://www.software.ibm.com.
* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International
Business Machines Corporation.
** Indicates trademark or registered trademark of their
respective holders.
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