Groupware time tracking
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for tracking time associated with a workflow task, the method comprising:
- a groupware client application accessing a service of one or more backend applications of a backend server through a groupware server, the accessing via a network interface of the groupware client application coupled to the groupware server, the one or more backend applications of the backend server communicating with the groupware server via a groupware interface of the backend server;
providing in a graphical user interface of the groupware client application a workflow object representing a workflow task;
associating with the workflow object a time period, a project code, and an identifier of a groupware client application user participating in the workflow task;
in response to an event indicating completion of the workflow task, automatically bypassing the groupware server in communicating from the groupware client application to the backend server, the bypassing including transmitting information to a backend application of the backend server through a business process client extension of the groupware client application, the business process client extension distinct from the network interface, wherein the transmitting information to the backend application is independent of the network interface of the groupware client application coupled to the groupware server, the information including the time period, the project code, and the identifier; and
with the business process client extension, integrating business process tasks into the graphical user interface of the groupware client application, the integrating enabling the groupware client application user to act on enterprise information from within the graphical user interface.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses enabling groupware to track time associated with a workflow task. A workflow object representing a workflow task is provided. The workflow object is associating with a time period, a project code, and an identifier of a groupware client user participating in the workflow task. In response to an event indicating completion of the workflow task, the time period, the project code, and the identifier is automatically transmitted to a backend application.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for tracking time associated with a workflow task, the method comprising:
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a groupware client application accessing a service of one or more backend applications of a backend server through a groupware server, the accessing via a network interface of the groupware client application coupled to the groupware server, the one or more backend applications of the backend server communicating with the groupware server via a groupware interface of the backend server; providing in a graphical user interface of the groupware client application a workflow object representing a workflow task; associating with the workflow object a time period, a project code, and an identifier of a groupware client application user participating in the workflow task; in response to an event indicating completion of the workflow task, automatically bypassing the groupware server in communicating from the groupware client application to the backend server, the bypassing including transmitting information to a backend application of the backend server through a business process client extension of the groupware client application, the business process client extension distinct from the network interface, wherein the transmitting information to the backend application is independent of the network interface of the groupware client application coupled to the groupware server, the information including the time period, the project code, and the identifier; and with the business process client extension, integrating business process tasks into the graphical user interface of the groupware client application, the integrating enabling the groupware client application user to act on enterprise information from within the graphical user interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A non-transitory machine readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions which when executed by a processor cause a backend server to perform operations comprising:
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providing a service of one or more backend applications to a first groupware client application through a groupware server, the providing via a network interface of the first groupware client application coupled to the groupware server, the one or more backend applications of the backend server communicating with the groupware server via a groupware interface of the backend server; transmitting to the first groupware client application a workflow object representing a workflow task, the workflow object created in a second groupware client application and associated with a start time, an end time, and a project code designated by an organizer of the workflow task; receiving from the first groupware client application a response to the transmitting, the response received via a business process client extension of the first groupware client application distinct from the network interface, the first groupware client application sending the response through the business process client extension to bypass the groupware server in communicating from the first groupware client application to the backend server, wherein the business process client extension integrates business process tasks into a graphical user interface of the first groupware client application, the integrating enabling a user of the first groupware client application to act on enterprise information from within the graphical user interface; relaying the response to the second groupware client application; and when the response includes an acceptance of participation in the workflow task, automatically creating in the first groupware client application a calendar entry based on the start time and the end time. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for processing time associated with a workflow task comprising:
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a groupware interface to communicate with a groupware server, the groupware interface to receive, from a groupware client application, a request to change a property of a workflow object representing a workflow task, the workflow object associated with a time, a project code, and one or more user identifiers, the request received via a business process client extension of the groupware client application distinct from a network interface of the groupware client application, the groupware client application sending the request through the business process client extension to bypass the groupware server in communicating from the groupware client application to the device, wherein the business process client extension integrates business process tasks into a graphical user interface of the groupware client application, the integrating enabling a groupware client application user to act on enterprise information from within the graphical user interface; and one or more backend applications executed by a processor and a memory, the one or more backend applications connected to the groupware interface to provide the network interface of the groupware client application with access to a service, the providing access through the groupware server, the one or more backend applications including a first backend application, comprising; a reporting module to determine if the property was incorporated into an external report; a storage interface to transmit the property to a storage system in response to the request if the property was not incorporated into the external report; and a notification module to transmit an error message to the groupware client application in response to the request if the property was incorporated into the external report. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification