Multiple type workflow model for enterprise application integration

The business environment is changing rapidly everyday. Enterprise information systems must be able to adapt to changes in markets quickly and flexibly. Enterprises control large amounts of software resources and these software resources must be integrated. One solution that is attracting a great deal of attention is the concept of enterprise application integration (EAI). EAI can adapt to changes in markets quickly and flexibly. As a method for implementing EAI, we are proposing business process-based integration using workflow techniques. Business process-based integration divides an enterprise information system into business processes and the work logic that comprises the system. We propose a new type of workflow for EAI. The new workflow for EAI uses a CORBA interface to integrate different types of systems and uses a state transition model based on a database to dynamically control processes. An organization can define business processes and rules so that the business processes can flexibly adapt to changes in the organization and applications. We have confirmed the effectiveness of this new workflow management system for EAI by applying it in an actual test case.