Automatic workflow monitoring/control method and apparatus

• US 6,654,708 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2002
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Ichikawa, Kazuyuki, Nemoto, Tsuyoshi, Nagayama, Mitsuharu
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, CRAIG S
• Application Number:
  US10/075,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20020133316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 700/90, 700/91, 700/95, 700/108, 700/111, 702/182, 702/187
• US Class Current: 702/187
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

In a workflow system performing works by circulating data to a plurality of staffs via a network, a processing history of a workflow case is recorded and processing histories are collected. A processing situation in the workflow system is checked by using the processing histories collected. In case the situation check decides that a delay is present, case entry is suppressed so as to control a case amount and a work amount.

Claims

1. An automatic monitoring/control method of performing works by successively transmitting data to a plurality of staffs, the method comprising steps of:

performing works by successively transmitting data to the staffs based on business process definitions which predefine a flow of the works to the staffs including;

deciding whether to suppress processing by utilizing a processing history of data which has been processed according to said business process definitions, and

displaying a business process definition whose processing has been decided to be suppressed.

2. The automatic monitoring/control method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

displaying a business process definition whose case has been entered.

3. An automatic monitoring/control program of performing works by successively transmitting data to a plurality of staffs, the automatic monitoring/control program, when executed, causes a computer to perform the steps of:

performing works by successively transmitting data to the staffs based on business process definitions which predefine a flow of the works to the staffs including;

deciding whether to suppress processing by utilizing a processing history of data which has been processed according to said business process definitions, and

displaying a business process definition whose processing has been decided to be suppressed.

4. An automatic monitoring/control apparatus for performing works by successively transmitting data to a plurality of staffs, the apparatus comprising:

means for performing works by successively transmitting data to the staffs based on business process definitions which predefine a flow of the works to the staffs including;

means for deciding whether to suppress processing by utilizing a processing history of data which has been processed according to said business process definitions, and

means for displaying a business process definition whose processing has been decided to be suppressed.