DIGITAL ENTERPRISE BUSINESS OBJECTS
Virtual Business Objects
Visual World contains a set of business objects that operate against a process engine. Each business object corresponds to a component of a real business. Each object can extract information from legacy enterprise systems, then aggregate that information with local data to create a business object representation of the business component. Business objects are also “stand alone” allowing entire business systems to be constructed, resulting in deep and rich applications. Below are some of the over 100 business objects that are part of Visual World.
Core Information Objects
Cards are used to keep track of “Things” such as companies, people, products, vendors, etc.
Forms are used to keep track of work. (see Well Formed Business Process Methodology). Forms can be sales order, service orders, loan applications, etc. Forms are “pulled” through a business process using Attraction Rules (see Trays below).
Trays are used to pull instances of Forms through a business process. Each TRAY contains an Attraction Rule that “attracts” instances of Forms based on the “state” or “status” of the Form.
Calendars keep track of work over time. Calendars can use Attraction Rules. For example, Order Forms can be attracted to a Shipments Calendar based on Date Shipped.
Attraction Rules dynamically link business objects. Based on the “state” of an object an Attraction Rule can connect or disconnect links between business objects. When used with Trays and Calendars, Attraction Rules manage business processes. When used with Customer records, Attraction Rules maintain dynamic links creating a real-time “web” of customer information.
Value Added Activities (VAA) – VAAs perform functions. They are automation agents that do work in context with business processes. VAAs can call web services, execute local scripts, link to enterprise system, update business objects… virtually any function you want can be built with VAAs.
Reports collect data from Trays, Calendars, and other objects. Reports will only cull information from the object on which it is placed. For example, a Sales Orders Report placed on a Work-in-process Tray will list only sales orders in progress, put it on a Shipments Calendar, the same Report will list only orders shipped on the date(s) selected by the user.
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Business Process Objects define how Cards, Forms, Trays, Calendars and other business objects work together to deliver customer value using Visual World’s “Well Formed Business Processes” Most activity in an enterprise is part of or in support of a business process.