Oracle Workflow Cartridge

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Oracle Workflow Cartridge

• Jason Moody
• Into Networks
• jason_at_moody.net
• [phone]

2
Agenda

• Overview
• Process Modeling
• Examples (Content Workflow)
• Architecture
• Users View
• Extending Oracle Workflow Cartridge
• Workflow Versioning

3
Overview

• Predictability.
• Eliminates the Excel Spreadsheet phenomenon.
• Oracle Workflow allows your customers to modify
  your product without writing code.

4
Practical Considerations

• Workflow is tougher (than data modeling).
• Process modeling must be done up front.
• Long testing periods.

5
Project Timeline

• Medium Project (with 4-5 processes)
• Design Phase 4-6 weeks
• Implementation 4 weeks
• Testing 4 weeks
• User Acceptance 2 weeks
• (Expect 4 months just for workflow)

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Design Phase

• Process Modeling
• Visio
• Designer
• ERD
• Data Dictonary

Visio Diagram
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Example Content Workflow System

• Into Networks allows software on-demand
• No Download or installation of titles.
• Description Content acquisition for software
  titles including
• Assets (Screen shots)
• Encoding information
• Title Notes

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Content Workflow (Cont.)

• Workflow
• 2 processes
• 14 notifications
• Data Entry
• 40 forms

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Architecture

• Oracle Database
• Application Server
• Oracle Application Server
• Webdb
• Workflow Builder
• Email

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Architecture

• Roles
• Database Roles
• Notifications (End User Client)
• Web Monitor
• Client Server (Apps Version)
• Business Logic (PL/SQL Blocks)
• Processes (Workflow Builder)

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Architecture
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Roles

• Workflow views show database roles.
• Example Wf_users

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Notifications
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Business Logic
CREATE OR REPLACE PACKAGE BODY OWF_ADM.WF_AREPA
as procedure arepa_startprocess (p_itemkey in
varchar2) is v_wf_process
varchar2(30) v_item_type
varchar2(30) v_owner
varchar2(30) begin v_wf_process
'P_OVERVIEW' v_item_type 'AREPA'
v_owner 'OWF_ADM' wf_engine.createproces
s ( itemtype gt v_item_type,
itemkey gt p_itemkey, process gt
v_wf_process )
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Workflow Builder
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Workflow Process
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Extending Oracle Workflow

• Application Servers
• Management Reporting
• Portal
• Comments

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Adding Cold Fusion

• Integrated Cold Fusion
• Rapid Application Development
• Data Entry Screens
• Single Login (OAS manages logins)

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Reporting Problems

• Need to provide lots of information
• Workflow and Application Specific
• No Out of Box Management Reports
• Try to use existing reports instead of creating
  new.
• Especially with workflow People want to see the
  same data multiple ways.

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Management Reporting

• No Out of Box Management Reports
• Created custom approach vs. Discoverer

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Portal Home Page
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Library Page
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Title Detail Page
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Comments

• People want to communicate problems to others.
• End to End Systems
• Future versions of workflow may have this
  functionality.

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Comments - Data Entry
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Comments - Report
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Workflow Versioning

• Real World Constraints of Workflow
• Process changes
• Items finish with the version they start with.
• Cannot make changes to process structure on the
  fly.
• Can change notifications (messages) users see.

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Workflow Thoughts

• Do up front process design work.
• Problem to change process later
• Design reporting piece as part of original
  project.
• Make Notifications (Messages) single point of
  contact.
• The first project is intense.