Oracle Applications Capability

India Delivery Center

Oracle Workflow Concepts

By Gopinath Ganesan

• Workflow Introduction

• Workflow Classifications

• Workflow Architecture

Contents

Oracle Workflow - Introduction

1. Workflow is a very Powerful Tool to extend the Functionality of the Applications to define Business Rules that are Unique to a Company

2. Allows to automate and continuously improve business processes

3. Route information of any type, according to business rules, directly to people both inside and outside your enterprise

4. Allows to define and continuously improve your business processes using a drag-and-drop process designer

• Allows for implementation of complex business logic in a short timeframe with minimal customizations

• Allows flexible modifications • Version control• Timeout • Escalation mechanism• Load balancing• Minimal maintenance • Control Process Performance

Key Benefits

• Workflow can be classified into 2 types :

1. Traditional Workflow – Standalone workflow .

2. Event Based workflow – Embedded in Oracle 11i apps (BES) – Business Event Systems enabled.

Workflow Classifications

Workflow

Workflow Server (2.6.2)

Oracle 8i /9i DB

Workflow Client

Workflow Builder (2.6.2)

Workflow Architecture

End-UserEnd-UserClientClient Oracle serverOracle server

MailApplications

MailApplications

Workflow Manager

Workflow Manager

WebMonitor

WebMonitor

WebWork list

WebWork list

NotificationMailer

NotificationMailer

ApplicationApplicationServerServer

Workflow XML

Loader

Workflow XML

Loader

Notificationsystem

Notificationsystem

Workflow Engine

Workflow Engine

BusinessEvent

System

BusinessEvent

System

DirectoryServices

Users Roles

DirectoryServices

Users Roles

OracleHTTP

Server

OracleHTTP

Server

AdvancedQueuing

AdvancedQueuing

WorkflowWorkflowDevelopmentDevelopment

ClientClient

Workflow Definition

Files

Workflow Definition

Files

Workflow DefinitionLoader

Workflow DefinitionLoader

Workflow Builder

Workflow Builder

Oracle Workflow Enabled Application

Oracle Workflow Enabled Application

Workflow Components - WF Development Client

1) Workflow Development Client

1.1) Workflow builder Draw the diagram. Save it in flat file format *.WFT ( Definition Files) Upload to the Workflow DB under OWF_MGR Schema.

1.2) Workflow definition loader Set of pre defined files can be downloaded from WF DB to the local system. Physical path of Loader files :

APPS FND_TOP / bin / WFLOAD Traditional $Oracle_home / home/ WFload.exe

1.3) Workflow XML Loader Same function of definition loader but applicable only for BES ( Business Event Systems) Files format is *.WFX

Workflow Components - WF Server

2) Workflow Server

2.1) Workflow Engine Set of pre defined API’s and tables to automate the WF process.

2.2) Directory Services Manages Users & Roles . Tables associated :

WF_local_userWF_local_rolesWF_user_roles

WF_userWF_roles

WF_user_roles

Workflow Components - WF Server [ Notification System ]

2.3) Notification system – Process of sending WF Notifications.

Applications

Directory Services

NotificationSystem

WFEngine

Notification Mailer(Hotmail / Yahoo etc.)

WF List (Inbox)

Workflow Components - Application Server

3) Application Server

3.1) HTTP Server

To process the web request from the applications invoking workflow. Oracle 11i Default configured. Oracle 9iAS Apache. Other Application Servers Web logic , Web sphere.

3.2) Notification Mailer

To send the E-Mail notifications to the external mail systems ( Yahoo / Hotmail etc.) Linux : sendmail Windows : IMAP ( Incoming mails) & SMTP (Outgoing mails).

Workflow Components - End User Client

4) End User Client

4.1) Web Work list Inbox which has got Workflow Notifications.

4.2) Web Monitor Java Applet which displays the runtime information of the work flow process.

4.2) Web Analysis Tool Administer run time work flow process .

Oracle 11i Apps : Oracle Applications Workflow Manager. Oracle 9iAS : Oracle Enterprise Manager.

Information Source

Oracle Metalink