This chapter explores the benefits of externalized business process automation and how the .NET Framework leverages Microsoft's BizTalk Server as a flexible and scalable solution. This chapter begins with an introduction to externalized business process automation and describes how enterprise applications can benefit from it. Next, the chapter describes BizTalk Server and its components and then describes how BizTalk Server addresses the need for scalable and reliable business process automation. Finally, the chapter shows a practical example that automatically routes information throughout the enterprise based on specific business rules.
Business process automation, also known as workflow automation , streamlines or automates the human involvement in standardized processes. Process automation is most widely found in Supply-Chain Management (SCM) projects, where customer demand is linked to the retailer, which is linked to the distributor, which is linked to the manufacturer. A collection of business rules and methods automatically manages the billing, accounting, and shipping activities.
Business process automation is important to the enterprise to function as efficiently as possible. Business processes can span multiple applications on multiple platforms, Internet services, extranets, and Business-to-Business (B2B) exchanges. Business process automation also needs to support existing technology infrastructure, which might include legacy systems, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), and X12 networks. Even outside of B2B environments, business process automation can cut out excessive duplicate data entry into multiple systems.
Just about every business application supports some sort of business process, even if it is a simple one. When information needs to be routed from one person to another, or when an automatic alert needs to be generated, business rules need to be in place. A process automation engine always executes these business rules, and some sort of action then takes place. In the IssueTracker enterprise application, when a new issue is created, business rules need to be in place to notify the administrator via e-mail if a high-priority ticket is in the queue and to possibly replicate the details of that ticket into another system.