Network-Based Business Process Management: Embedding Business Logic in Communications Networks
18 Pages Posted: 23 Mar 2004
Date Written: August 2003, 12
Abstract
Advanced Business Process Management (BPM) tools enable the decomposition of previously integrated and often ill-defined processes into re-usable process modules. These process modules can subsequently be distributed on the Internet over a variety of many different actors, each with their own specialization and economies-of-scale. The economic benefits of process specialization can be huge. However, how should such actors in a business network find, select, and control, the best partner for what part of the business process, in such a way that the best result is achieved? This particular management challenge requires more advanced techniques and tools in the enabling communications networks. An approach has been developed to embed business logic into the communications networks in order to optimize the allocation of business resources from a network point of view. Initial experimental results have been encouraging while at the same time demonstrating the need for more robust techniques in a future of massively distributed business processes.
Keywords: business process management, resource optimization, active networks, internet distributed process management, embedded business logic, payment systems, programmable networks, business protocols, genetic algorithms
JEL Classification: M, L63, L96
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation