ORACLE WORKFLOW BUILDER
THE BENEFITS OF WORKFLOW
- Improved efficiency through the elimination of many unnecessary task steps.
- Better business process control achieved by standardizing work methods and creating audit trails.
- Improved customer service from predictable processes and responses.
- Flexibility bred from software control over processes, which enables their future redesign in response to changing business needs.
ORACLE WORKFLOW BUILDER
Oracle Workflow Builder lets you create, view, or modify a business process with simple drag and drop operations. Using the Workflow Builder, you can create and modify all workflow objects, including activities, item types, and messages. At any time you can add, remove, or change workflow activities, or set up new prerequisite relationships among activities. You can easily work with a summary-level model of your workflow, expanding activities within the workflow as needed to greater levels of detail. And, you can operate Oracle Workflow Builder from a desktop PC or from a disconnected laptop PC.
WORKFLOW ENGINE
The Workflow Engine embedded in the Oracle database server monitors workflow states and coordinates the routing of activities for a process. Changes in workflow state, such as the completion of workflow activities, are signaled to the engine via a PL/SQL API or a Java API. Based on flexibly-defined workflow rules, the engine determines which activities are eligible to run, and then runs them. The Workflow Engine supports sophisticated workflow rules, including looping, branching, parallel flows, and subflows.
FEATURES
- Business Event System
- Workflow Definitions Loader
- Complete Programmatic Extensibility
- Electronic Notifications
- Electronic Mail Integration
- Internet-Enabled Workflow
- Monitoring and Administration
BUSINESS EVENT SYSTEM
The Business Event System is an application service that uses the Oracle Advanced Queuing (AQ) infrastructure to communicate business events between systems. The Business Event System consists of the Event Manager, which lets you register subscriptions to significant events, and event activities, which let you model business events within workflow processes.
When a local event occurs, the subscribing code is executed in the same transaction as the code that raised the event. Subscription processing can include executing custom code on the event information, sending event information to a workflow process, and sending event information to other queues or systems.
WORKFLOW DEFINITIONS LOADER
The Workflow Definitions Loader is a utility program that moves workflow definitions between database and corresponding flat file representations. You can use it to move workflow definitions from a development to a production database, or to apply upgrades to existing definitions. In addition to being a standalone server program, the Workflow Definitions Loader is also integrated into Oracle Workflow Builder, allowing you to open and save workflow definitions in both a database and file.
COMPLETE PROGRAMMATIC EXTENSIBILITY
Oracle Workflow lets you include your own PL/SQL procedures or external functions as activities in your workflows. Without modifying your application code, you can have your own program run whenever the Workflow Engine detects that your program’s prerequisites are satisfied.
ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATIONS
Oracle Workflow lets you include users in your workflows to handle activities that cannot be automated, such as approvals for requisitions or sales orders. Electronic notifications are routed to a role, which can be an individual user or a group of users. Any user associated with that role can act on the notification.
Each notification includes a message that contains all the information a user needs to make a decision. The information may be embedded in the message body or attached as a separate document. Oracle Workflow interprets each notification activity response to decide how to move on to the next workflow activity.
ELECTRONIC MAIL INTEGRATION
Electronic mail (e-mail) users can receive notifications of outstanding work items and can respond to those notifications using their e-mail application of choice. An e-mail notification can include an attachment that provides another means of responding to the notification.
INTERNET-ENABLED WORKFLOW
Any user with access to a standard Web browser can be included in a workflow. Web users can access a Notification Web page to see their outstanding work items, then navigate to additional pages to see more details or provide a response.
MONITORING AND ADMINISTRATION
Workflow administrators and users can view the progress of a work item in a workflow process by connecting to the Workflow Monitor using a standard Web browser that supports Java. The Workflow Monitor displays an annotated view of the process diagram for a particular instance of a workflow process, so that users can get a graphical depiction of their work item status.The Workflow Monitor also displays a separate status summary for the work item, the process, and each activity in the process
MOST WORKFLOW PRODUCTS SUPPORT TWO BASIC FUNCTIONS
Tools for mapping business processes, which might be defined sets of routes, roles, and rules for the movement of documents and tasks. Implementation of those business processes through linkages with a company’s computer network, shared databases, and email systems, so that information can flow through the organization at a controlled and efficient pace.
Oracle Workflow Hardware and Software Requirements
The components of Oracle Workflow require the following hardware and software configurations:
- Oracle Workflow Builder is installed using Oracle Universal Installer and requires the installation of Oracle Net Services (version 8.1.6 or higher for Oracle8i, or version 9.0.1 or higher for Oracle9i) and Required Support Files (version 8.1.6 or higher for Oracle8i, or version 9.0.1 or higher for Oracle9i). You should install Oracle Workflow Builder on an IBM, Compaq or 100% compatible personal computer with the following:
- A 486 processor or better Clock speed of 66 Mhz or greater (90 Mhz or greater is recommended)
- Network card
- SVGA color monitor
- Modem configured with dial-in access for use by Oracle Worldwide Customer Support. At least one PC at your site should be configured with a modem.
ORACLE ADF
ORACLE ADF FEATURES
- Productive Application Development
- Visual and Declarative Experience
- Declarative Business Services
- Rich Web User Interfaces
- Advanced Controller
- Simplified Binding
ORACLE ADF BENEFITS
- Visual and Declarative Java EE Development
- Business Services Development
- User Interface Development
- Binding Business Services Components to the User Interface
BENEFITS OF ORACLE ADF OVER OTHER FRAMEWORKS
- End-to-End Solution
- Development Environment
- Platform Independence
- Technology Choice
- Technology Commitment
- Metadata-Driven
- Declarative Customization
- Enhanced Reusability
- Source availability
- Support
ORACLE ADF CAPABILITIES
- Integrated and Pluggable Model-View-Controller Framework
Oracle ADF is based on the model view controller design pattern that promotes loose coupling and easier application development and maintenance. Oracle ADF provides a solution for each of the MVC layers and supports easy integration of the various layers together with integrated security and customization solution. - Rich Web Based Interfaces
Oracle ADF includes a library of more than 150 standards-based Java Server Faces (JSF) components with built-in HTML5 and Ajax functionality. With these components, web deployed user interfaces can be developed with a level of functionality and interactivity previously reserved for thick-client applications. The components offer data interaction, data visualization, and encapsulated browser side operations in a set of easy to use components that makes rich client application development easier than ever. The ADF Faces components adapt to support user interfaces on both regular browsers and tablet based browser including support for touch gestures and adaptive layouts. - Advanced Page Flow
Oracle ADF extends the basic JSF controller to provide the ADF Controller. The ADF Controller provides: enhanced page and operations flow control, comprehensive state management, and reusability of flows as components in other flows and inside JSF pages and portals. - Drag and Drop Data Binding
ADF provides a data-binding framework that simplifies binding UI to business services through a simple drag and drop operations in the IDE. This is done while still keeping the independence of the business service from consuming interfaces. With the framework, the UI developer is insulated from the underlying implementation of the business service layer. This makes the process of building the UI truly decoupled from the implementation of the business service layer, better positioning the application for implementation in a service-oriented architecture. - ADF Business Components
ADF Business Components simplifies the task of business service development and style. These powerful components are visually designed and customized to allow declarative access to relational databases. The business components can implement custom business functionality, declarative validation, security, and advanced object-relational functionality ADF Business Components is just one of the possible business service implementations within the ADF ADF Business Components is just one of the possible business service implementations within the ADF meta framwork. Developers can also use EJB/JPA, Web Services (REST or ORACLE DATA SHEET2 SOAP), POJOs and other implementations for the service layer. - Multi-channel Clients
ADF applications can be developed with an eye towards a variety of delivery methods. The framework supports direct implementation of web-based interfaces, mobile delivery, and desktop applications, including integration with Microsoft Excel. Due to the loose coupling architecture that Oracle ADF supports, developers can leverage the same business services with multiple user interfaces thereby increasing the reusability of their code.
Open Source Option – Oracle ADF Essentials
Oracle ADF Mobile extends Oracle ADF to support development of on device mobile applications. Leveraging HTML5 and Java, Oracle ADF Mobile enables developers to build and extend enterprise applications for iOS and Android from a single code base. Using a hybrid mobile architecture, ADF Mobile supports access to native device services, enables offline applications, can integrate server generated content, and protects enterprise investments from future technology shifts.
- Extensive IDEs Support
Oracle JDeveloper offers a comprehensive visual and declarative experience for Oracle ADF applications development. This means that wherever possible the developer has the capability to design an application utilizing visual editors and diagrams and then customize that design through integrated dialogs and property inspectors.JDeveloper also provides the ability for the developer to choose to directly manipulate source code at any time. This provides the option to switch between development styles at will to suit the type of application or preferences of the developer. Oracle JDeveloper contains a unique debugger that enables developers to set break points on the declarative aspects of Oracle ADF.
For development shops standardized on the Eclipse platform, Oracle ADF development is supported through the Oracle Enterprise Pack for Eclipse tooling. This includes support for development with Oracle ADF Faces, Oracle ADF Controller and the Oracle ADF Binding layer. Oracle Enterprise Pack for Eclipse also offers support for ADF specific debugging and analysis of code dependencies.
CONCLUSION
Oracle’s Application Development Framework offers an unparalleled level of productivity for application developers looking to build enterprise applications based on industry standards. Leveraging a sound architecture, open standards, and a plethora of built-in features Oracle ADF accelerates the development of cutting edge enterprise applications.
AGILE – SCRUM PROJECT EXECUTION METHODOLOGY
Scrum is a process framework that enables teams to deliver the highest business value in the shortest time. Team first builds a log of work items to be delivered. It is called Product backlog and is owned by a product owner. The delivery of work items in Product backlog occurs over multiple iterations called Sprints.
In each sprint team picks the work items from product backlog and put them in the sprint backlog. Life of a sprint backlog is same as of a sprint. Usually the size of the all the sprints is same, either of 2 to 4 weeks. Best way to decide the length of a sprint is, the duration you expect there will be no change in the work items you are planning to work in a sprint.
Each sprint is given a unique number (first sprint is called sprint 1) starting from 01 and increases by one with every new sprint. To ensure team is following the scrum, a Scrum master works with the team to guide and resolve their issues. To know more about scrum https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/scrum
Before starting the sprint 1, the scrum master must run a Sprint 0. There is no fix duration of the sprint 0. During the sprint 0, the team should get the all the required information to start the development in Sprints. Below are the typical information team must have before starting the Sprint 01.
- 1. Milestone -Functional and non-functional requirements
- 2. Initial estimated Product backlog
- 3. Risks and their mitigations
- 4. Communication plan
- 5. Estimation method
- 6. Team Roster
- 7. Technology stack
- 8. Environment & Access
- 9. Acceptance criteria
- 10. Coding/Design/Test standards
- 11. Scrum Training
- 12. Tool & Techniques
- 13. PLM Training by Scrum Master
- 14. Internal Project kick off
Once team gets what it needs to commence the development work, scrum master should announce the end of Sprint 0, and announce the date of Sprint 1.
During the project execution under scrum, you need to maintain various controls. The project progress will be assessed using these controls during the project. To understand the controls which you need to maintain during the Scrum, please refer the below diagram.
As advised by Scrum Alliance, sprint duration should be 2-4 weeks. To understand how a sprint should be executed, a 2-week sprint example.
| Activity | Duration(% of Sprint) | Participants | Duration (Days) in 10 days Sprint (2 weeks) | Duration (Days) in 15 days Sprint (3 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis/ Architect/ Design | 20% | PO/ BA/ Dev Lead | 2 | 3 |
| Coding/ Unit testing/ Test Development | 50% | Dev team | 5 | 8 |
| Testing/Defect fixing | 20% | Dev / QA | 2 | 3 |
| Release/ Sprint Demo, Review, Retrospective/ Sprint planning | 10% | PO/ BA/ Team | 1 | 1 |
Analysis phase i.e. 20 % of the sprint is spent for the Analysis/ Design of the user stories picked into the sprint backlog. Development phase i.e. 50% of the sprint is spent on coding, unit testing, test cases development, automation script development, code reviews, User stories clarifications etc. At the end of the development phase, the development team announces the code freeze and plan for a demo to PO/ BA/ test team.
The purpose is to bring the ownership of doing the things right at the first time. It also brings the focus on various stakeholders who are supposed to provide necessary information to the team and remove their impediments. Testing phase consumes next 20% of the sprint where various functional/non-functional tests gets executed manually or with automation.
The purpose is to bring the ownership of doing the things right at the first time. It also brings the focus on various stakeholders who are supposed to provide necessary information to the team and remove their impediments. Testing phase consumes next 20% of the sprint where various functional/non-functional tests gets executed manually or with automation.
Product backlog refinement is a continuous activity where the team in collaboration of PO/BA size and prioritize the User Stories, add details & acceptance criteria. It helps in sprint planning to create sprint backlog. Team spends time whenever they have bandwidth.
There are 4 ceremonies which are supposed to be conducted.
| Ceremony | When | How Long | Who Attends | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprint Plannin | Before starting the sprint | ~ 4 hours | Scrum Master, Product Owner and Scrum Team | To create spring backlog |
| Daily Scrum | Daily | 15 minutes | Scrum Master, Product Owner (Optional) and Scrum Team | The Daily Scrum is the key inspect and adapt meeting during a Sprint. |
| Sprint Review/Demo | At the end of the Sprint | ~2 hours | Scrum Master, Product Owner and Scrum Team, All the Stakeholder/Sponsors, Customers | To review the team is building the Right Product |
| Sprint Retrospection | At the end of the Sprint | ~2 hours | Scrum Master, Product Owner and Scrum Team | To identify improvement areas and action items to increase the efficiency of the team |
ZEBRA PRINTERS FOR LABEL PRINTING FROM ORACLE WMS MODULE
Zebra is the printer manufacturer that offers Zebra Centric end-to-end, Oracle-tailored barcode solution that allows for quick and simple integration of Zebra barcode printers, without the need for Windows middleware hardware. With Zebra, we can rapidly integrate complex barcode solutions into Oracle Application quickly, easily and cost-effectively.
Solution is installed on the Oracle Application server and Printer firmware there are no additional middleware or programming required. Zebra printing solutions are adapted to deliver easy integration and complete interoperability across application sets.
There is a direct connectivity between your enterprise’s barcode label printing infrastructure and Oracle applications / Oracle Fusion.
The Zebra XML-Direct Connect method—where Zebra makes available via printer firmware an embedded XML parser in the XML-enabled printers, so output from Oracle Application/ Fusion is natively understood by the printer through a direct connect TCP/IP connection.
Key Benefit Factors/Advantages are as below:
- No complex files to download
- No need to learn specific printer languages
- No Windows middleware server needed between Oracle and the printers
- No printer seat license cost
Label Printers: Oracle WMS supports the Zebra Printing Language, ZPL. Printers manufactured by Zebra as well as many other companies that support the ZPL printing language should work. The client is required to test it and verify that label printing works as expected. Some typical models in use by current clients are Zebra / ZM400, Zebra 105SL, INTERMEC /PD42. This application prints to label printers at client locations via network access that must be configured as described in the network configuration section below. These printers must be configured in the Oracle WMS application.
Flow Diagram for Label Printing:
CONFIGURATION OF PRINTERS AT UI
- Go to printer screen
- Click on create button
- Select printer type (DOCUMENT, ZEB, ESCP)
- Fill printer name
- Fill description name
- Choose printer protocol (lpd, socket)
- Fill domain_or_ip with printers IP
- Fill port field
- Fill printer_queue_name field, same as printer name
- Save
MANAGED SERVICES FOR PROCESS – LED TRANSFORMATION
Overview of the Managed Services Market
Infrastructures is increasing in complexity with proliferation of software features. As businesses grow and expand the demand from existing software capabilities is catapulting leading to complex network integrations. However, IT resources and budget remain limited presenting significant challenges to CIOs to manage the technology environments of their organizations. They are under constant pressure to manage new release schedules, monitor performance and ensure security and availability of their networks, aimed to meet constantly growing business demands.
Why companies opt for Managed Services
To reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) of technology, managed services has become the trusted option for enterprises worldwide. Other reasons why CIOs prefer the managed services model is to ensure accelerated return on investment in new technologies despite lack of in-house next-generation technology expertise. Those CIOs who opted for managed services found that they were able to build more predictability into network performance, risk and budget and were able to focus on innovating their IT setup to meet business needs in the present and for the future.
Explaining PLT in the context of Managed Services
If these reasons will remain true in the future as they have in the past, there will be several even more compelling reasons to turn to managed services such as a rise in complexity of business-driven technology solutions, increasing dependency on applications and infrastructure, and a mobile workforce. CIOs also are not seeing a proportionate rise in IT budgets for training resources and managing infrastructure. In fact, the converse is more the case with slashed budgets and limited resources.
Will the option of merely handing over the infrastructure management to a managed services provider suffice, keeping in mind the rising and rapidly transforming business and technology landscapes? One option for managed services to be of meaningful use is for providers to follow a process driven approach and methodology. One such methodology is Process Led Transformation (PLT), an objective approach to ensure competitive advantage through proactive process management. PLT to simplify is outcome-based transformation for business value.
How does PLT work?
PLT starts at the heart of a business and processes emerge from the core to embrace the entire organization. It requires integration of a breadth of approaches, capabilities and assets applicable to the industry and the organization.
- Managed services for PLT will provide CIOs dynamic, end-to-end visibility into operations helping them to identify issues that affect the business.
- It will establish a discipline that becomes the bedrock for future transformation through strategy, segmentation and governance. From there on, it helps with continuous execution excellence and enduring performance levels
- PLT will eventually lead to operational transformation, where current and future IT capabilities are aligned to the business.
- It offers a transparency into existing operations and provides the analytics required for CIOs to plan future operational requirements.
- It is linked to continuous improvement for value realization and therefore remains flexible to meet future requirements.
To explain with the help of a case study, this client, the fourth largest market research firm with more than 12,000 experts in 100+ countries around the world wanted to develop a center of excellence as a centralized solution for Application Maintenance and support to improve processes, drive operational excellence and efficiency. The client had multiple applications and databases that required management and maintenance. However, with the lack of documents, business processes were not captured nor were they put through a quality process. As a result, there was a high degree of complexity, escalating maintenance costs and issues with resource management.
Instead of merely looking at the applications as requiring optimization, process led transformation would help the client to optimize its IT to achieve long-term business and operational value. The consulting team began the transformation process by asking the following questions:
- What are the impediments to performance?
- How can customer experience be improved?
- How to identify those activities are not adding any value to the business or to our customers?
- How to increase speed and operational efficiency?
- How to make the answers apply to the long term?
These questions would help the team and the client to
- Achieve process transparency to see what is working and what is not to focus on improvements.
- To understand how to optimize performance with precision.
- To identify opportunities to improve speed, cost and quality for long term competitive advantage and enduring customer value.
Using the PLT methodology, can help perform a detailed assessment to establish a baseline of the current quality of support services, the root causes, as well as the impact on the organization and the end users. Starting at the core, it sets up an efficient Managed Services center of excellence. It reduces the number of tickets (defects) in the applications by continuously performing root-cause-analysis.
Some key benefits of Managed Services for Process Led Transformation
- Improved operational and organizational performance because of process transparency. Viewing end-to-end processes gives a bird’s eye view of what is working and what is not and how to optimize performance with precisions and so forth.
- The pace to move from strategy to execution with certainty is a key benefit of PLT
- PLT ensures competitive advantage through intervention and proactive process management. It simplifies diagnosing, for transformation and insight.
- PLT offers a pragmatic approach to diagnose issues
- It offers a dynamic view of the overall functioning of the enterprise and provides clarity and insight.
