Improving Your Business Processes Through SharePoint
Forms and WorkflowForms and Workflow
Ian Palangio, Microsoft
Milan Gross, Synergy
XML Data is Good for Systems
Integrate with the Hardest System
CRM?ERP?
Procurement?Payroll?
Forms: The De-facto Human
Integration to XML Data
Office System = Form Solution that ALL
People can Easily/Quickly Use
InfoPath Revealed!
Smart Client and Browser SQL, ERP, CRM, TLA…
MS Expense InfoPath Form
Demo
Form Server
A Regular SharePoint Application
Forms for the Masses
Internet ExplorerInternet Explorer
Designed once!
Same experience in
FirefoxFirefox
Fill Forms in Any Browser and Operating System
Internet Explorer,
Firefox,
Safari,
Netscape
and the
InfoPath rich client
Embed Forms in Web Applications like SharePoint
“Use workflow forms to
add and configure a workflow.“
Form to interact
with workflow
“Use workflow forms
to complete tasks or interact with a
workflow.”
Form to configure workflow settings
Student Enrolment Form
Demo
InfoPath Designer
A Design Tool for Everyone
Design Forms in Familiar “Word Like” Tool
InfoPath has a Form Design Environment to Suit All
Most Form
Development
C#
VB .NET
RulesDevelopment Does Not Need
Code
XSD, Web Service, Database
Rules
Formulas
Data Validation
Data Connections
Conditional Formatting
Form Design Environment for Hard Core Developers
Over 1 Million Developers
InfoPath Embeds in Visual Studio
View allat once!
InfoPath views
Managed code
Solution files and
resources
InfoPath
data source
InfoPath Designer
InfoPath
design tasks
Managed code
Process and Data
ManagementManagement
The Workflow Process is the
Exciting Part!
Process Definition –Many Options
Most Process
Development
LOB
Integration
Custom Tracking Apps
Service Requests
Asset Tracking
Industryspecific processesPurchase orders
Product lifecycle mgmt
Visual Studio and
Workflow SDKfor Developer
SharePoint
Stru
ctured with
Roles
Development Does Not Need
Code
Routing and ApprovalReview – ApprovalSignature collectionCollect Feedback
Office Server Features
List Moderation
Publishing ProcessDocument Expiration
Tracking ApplicationsIssue tracking
Custom Form Actions
Email Notification
Exception Handling
Document Processes
Spec Review
Weekly Status Report
Asset Tracking
Out-of-the-Box
Solutions(with customisation)
for End User
SharePoint
Designerfor IT Pro
Stru
ctured with
Roles
Ad Hoc
End User Experience – Forms Based Process
DP World Process Platform
Demo
Global Ports Connecting Global Markets
Damaged Container ReportsThe Problem
•The existing manual reporting system for damaged shipping containers was not only inefficient, it was also inconsistent across sites. This made it difficult to reconcile reports between terminals.
CONSISTENCY
DUPLICATION / MISSING DATA
•Users would fill out a paper based form, and then email details of the report plus supporting photographs to each other between terminals, and with head office. These reports would then be forwarded to more people again, wasting network and email resources, and not offering a complete “single source of truth”
DUPLICATION / MISSING DATA
•As it was not easy to reconcile reports, there was a potential risk that a client could make multiple claims for the one damage incident.
EXPOSURE
Damaged Container Reports The Solution
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, with Microsoft InfoPath 2007 and Form Services.
• This combination has allowed IT to provide a web based form that ensures all reports for
CONSOLIDATION
• This combination has allowed IT to provide a web based form that ensures all reports for all terminals are produced in a consistent manner. It also ensures there is only 1 instance of information regarding a report, and it is easily searchable.
•An added benefit of this solution is that head office management have ready access to
the reports for all terminals, and the risk of reports being misplaced has been removed.
MANAGEMENT BENEFITS
•The operational teams have been quick adopters of this solution, as they see the benefits
not only in providing more visibility to management, but also in reducing the amount of
time spent completing paperwork.
OPERATIONAL
Damaged Container Reports The Solution
• Nintex Workflow 2007 was chosen as the workflow development interface. It allows end users to manage their own workflows, making changes as required. It greatly reduces the workflow development time, as there is no need for IT be involved in simple
WORKFLOWS
development time, as there is no need for IT be involved in simple changes. This makes great sense, as it is the business units, and not IT, who best understand the workflows used by the business.
• Development of the next phase of this reporting process has already commenced. Included in the next release will be some enhanced reporting, and also integration with new Enterprise LOB applications.
NEXT STEPS
SP World Workflow Process Maps
• Travel Request Approval
• Software Request and Packaging
• Container Damage Tracking
The Solution
Demonstration of the End Result
Office System Gives People the Form
Processing Experience they Need
Thank YouThank You