BPM process designer is an application which allows for handling BPM processes, as well as for defining their structure and functioning. Upon starting the Comarch ERP Standard BPM application, first the logon window is opened.

In the logon window, it is necessary to enter the name of database and the name or address of the server hosting the database. It is also necessary to specify user’s data/ Analogically to the Comarch ERP Standard system, it is possible to select the option of integrated security.

At the bottom of the window, it is possible to select the language in which the application will be started. From this level it is also possible to start the tool for solving problems regarding BPM services and BPM configuration tool.

In case for the operator there is no configured license, a window for specifying license key server and its number, is opened.

Upon correct completion of the above-mentioned data and selection of a company structure center, the application is opened in full screen mode.

In the Comarch ERP Standard BPM system, it is possible to transfer BPM processes between databases or to load standard processes to the system. For this purpose, the mechanism of importing and exporting processes is used.

Import

To import a process to the process assembly, from Process Assembly group of buttons, it is necessary to select [Import] button.

When importing processes for the first time, that is when the process assembly is empty, the system asks the user whether to load standard processes.

Upon selecting Yes, the system loads a list of all processes available within a standard installation of the system.

Upon selecting No, an empty list is opened. To add a process to the list, it is necessary to use [Load] button and select a file with. wdf extension. At this stage, the process is subject to a preliminary validation. A process loaded correctly will be marked with a green symbol in Status column. Whereas an incorrectly loaded process marked with a warning or error symbol providing information about the reason of the occurred problem.

From the level of that list a user can also preview details of an imported process. To do so, it is necessary to mark a given process on the list and select [Expand/Collapse] button.

To finish the import of processes to the assembly, it is necessary to select [Import] button. The system will inform the user about a correct completion of the operation.

Export

To export a process, it is necessary to select a given process and click on [Export] button, available in the Process Assembly group of buttons. A window for inserting file name and saving path of the exported file, will be opened.

From the level of BPM process designer, it is possible to set parameters of a process affecting its visibility, priority or method of tracking in the system. Those parameters can be changed from the level of the main menu or upon clicking with right mouse button on selected process.

Process publication

In order to use a process, it is necessary to publish it with the use of [Change Publication] button. The information indicating whether a process has been published can be found on the list of processes, in Published column.

Priority of processes execution

From the level of the list of processes it is possible to specify the priority of execution of a process, by clicking on [Change Priority] button. By default, the priority of all global processes is set to normal. In such case the order of processing all planned processed is determined by FIFO mode. It means that processes are executed in that order in which they have been started and added to the queue. Assigning higher priorities to processes which are more important as regards operational activities will allow them to be executed first.

Changing a priority for a process definition does not affect the time for execution of already queued (started) processes. It is not possible to speed up or postpone an already queued process.

Tracking profiles

From the level of the list of processes it is possible to change tracking profiles defining detail level of diagnostic information saved in the database when executing a process. Such information is used during the work with process monitoring. Normally, in the system there are 4 profiles available:

From the level of the window of process addition/modification, it is possible to open the list of tracking profiles. To do so, it is necessary to select [Profiles] button, available in the main menu. Detailed description of adding and editing processes can be found in article Process modification.

From the level of the list of tracking profiles, besides of selecting profiles, it is also possible to add, modify or delete them. The user can also select a given profile as default.

The user can define his/her own tracking profiles by selecting the type of information which will be subject to the analysis.

In the Comarch ERP Standard BPM system, it is possible to assign attachments to processes, e.g., in order to send them via e-mail. An attachment can be, for example, an image or a spreadsheet. There are two ways of adding attachments: from the level of the global list and from the level of the local list.

Global list

From the level of the window of processes library, it is possible to open the global list of attachments, by selecting the [Attachments] button from the group of buttons Administration. It is used to handle attachments within all process in the assembly. The user can add files and attach them to particular processes. In case the attachment is an image, it is possible to preview it in File preview section.

To add an attachment to a process, it is necessary to:

• Load an attachment to the list with the use of [Add] button.
• Check the attachment in Files section
• Check the process in section Processes not associated with the attachment
• Select [Attach file] button

The local list is opened from the level of the process modification window. It contains attachments used in a current BPM process. The difference between the local and the global lists consists in the fact that the local list concerns only one, currently modified process and therefore in the window there are no sections related to the selection of a process. Instead of them, the window contains a list of previously added attachments. Associating of an attachment with a process is performed by means of the button [Attach file], available in the menu.

Process Monitoring allows for analysing a process flow and for identifying errors encountered during its execution. To start Process Monitoring, from the level of the window of process assembly, it is necessary to select [BPM Monitoring] button.

The window of Process Monitoring is divided into 3 sections:

• List of instances (1) – contains all running process instances. Each of them can assume one of 4 statuses:
  • Started – the process is being executed
  • Waiting for Response – the process was paused intentionally or is expecting a user’s decision. More information regarding decisions can be found in article Task Inbox.

• • Error – some errors occurred during the process To display detailed information about errors, it is necessary to set the tracking profile as detailed or complete.
  • Completed – process executed correctly

• Process flow (2) – visible upon double clicking on a given instance or selecting [Show Execution Status] button. Allows for previewing process execution. For the complete or detailed profile, activities are marked according to their execution status parent activities take on the status of child activities. For example, if one of the child activities is executed with an error, that activity and its parent activity will be marked in red.
• Execution details (3) – depending on selected tracking profile, contains information about particular activities and the instance itself. Above the list of details, there is general information regarding process execution, such as: execution time, operator or tracking profile. In the bottom part, there are tabs Properties and In the first of them, it is possible to preview the settings of each activity. The second tab presents the structure of a process in a form of a tree.

From the level of the Process Monitoring window, a function of deleting archival process tracking records is available. After selecting [AutoDelete] button a window for specifying period and type of deleted data is displayed.

It is also possible to delete tracking instances manually by means of [Delete] button. In the case of instances presented as started, records can be deleted after determined time, defined in the configuration (24 hours, by default).

The system enables generation of documentation for any process available in BPM process designer, on the basis of its description, parameters, references and schedules. It contains also a process layout in the form of an image representing general scheme of an activity tree. To generate a documentation, from the level of the process assembly, it is necessary to select one or more processes and select [Generate] button, available in Documentation group of buttons.

Upon starting the generation, a window with settings will open in which it is possible to add a company’s logo. On the right side, there is a layout of marked process. In case more than one processes are marked, the layout presents the first of the marked processes.

Upon selecting the [Generate] button and specifying a path for saving the documentation, an html file with description or descriptions of selected processes will be generated.

For standard processes, the documentation is available upon clicking on [Show] button. Descriptions of particular standard processes can be also found in article <<Standard processes>

To add a new process, it is necessary to select [Add] button, available in the window of process assembly. A new process configuration window opens. In the first stage, it is necessary to select the type of the startup event (flowchart or sequence) and the process type (local or global). At this moment, the name field is not mandatory, it can be completed when saving the process for the first time.

In the second stage, the user can select any number of startup events. They determine the moment in which a process should be started automatically. An example of such event is After saving an item. For each process type, different startup events are available. Moreover, for local processes it is necessary to select at least one event.

In the last step, it is possible to change the method of process execution. Two parameters are available: Tracking Profile and Priority, which are described in detail in article Process execution settings.

After completing all steps, a new process window will be opened.

After creating a new process or opening an existing process to editing mode, a modification window is opened. In Process Designer tab, it is possible to create a process flowchart by adding relevant activities with the use of the drag and drop method.

On the right side of the window, there is an activity list. The user can select from among standard and business activities. Standard activities are described in detail in Selected standard activities category.

Variables and imports

Below the working pane (Process Editor tab), there are buttons [Variables] and [Imports]. From this level, it is possible to handle variables used in a process, create new variables and delete existing ones. It is also possible to change a variable, its visibility range and define its default value.

Example

Process is composed of Flowchart activity which contains two sequences: SEQ1 and SEQ2. Variable defined for the scope of the SEQ1 sequence will be not visible for the SEQ2 sequence nor for Flowchart.

Variable defined for the Flowchart range will be visible for all process elements, because variables are visible for a given activity and its child elements.

In the Imports tab, there are imported namespaces The list contains standard references and references imported by the user. The process of adding new namespaces is described in References article.

Activity errors

Below, there is Activity Errors section. It contains messages about incorrectly configured activities. Such message contains information about error’s localization and reason. If error regards an activity, upon clicking on the message, the user us transferred to that activity. The messages are generated on the basis of errors identified by the validator which verifies the correctness of used activities.

Structure, properties and business objects.

Section on the right side presents additional information about process. In Process Outline tab, there are all activities used in the process ordered in a tree structure.

In Properties tab, it is possible to modify parameters of a selected activity. The list of properties works in contextual mode, which means that it is displayed depending on activity marked in the work pane.

Tab Business Objects presents advanced view of a process outline. It contains all methods and events available in a process.