| | December 20169CIOReviewinvoice and a receipt or proof of payment. The business logic and rule-based workflow can automatically ensure the purchase order numbers match the invoice. Decision logic can also be built in to these systems to create new rules, for instance, if you need approvals from certain individuals in your business if the payment exceeds a certain amount.Additionally, there are many ancillary functions that a robust platform can provide for automating a wide variety of business applications including: Digital signature integration to eliminate wet signatures-Records management to provide a system of record and auditability for documents Workflow and process reporting to facilitate continuous process improvement Web and mobile integration so that customers/constituents can be part of a workflow process through both initiation of a request and status updates Electronic forms, which almost universally are the initiation point for a workflow process, often with supporting documents and data Business and workflow analytics to optimize and improve the process executionWorkflow, Case Management and ECM as an Enterprise LayerMany LOB and enterprise applications have a workflow component embedded as part of their software application solution. Many of these applications also have the ability to upload documents into their system. For the most efficient implementation, organizations should look to leverage an enterprise layer to manage the unstructured content and workflow logic independently of the LOB applications.Many business processes are cross-functional, involving multiple departments and data systems. Pulling workflow solutions out of the LOB systems and instead positioning it as an enterprise-wide solution gives businesses more control. For instance, if a business implements a financial solution that is utilized across different departments, hand-offs can get very challenging. Additionally, organizations have records management processes where documents are stored across many LOBs--in some instances this means managing four or five different systems. By leveraging these applications on an enterprise level, there is more cohesion across LOB and business functions.Utilizing a robust workflow, case management and ECM platform that can manage the workflow process and supporting documents, as well as retrieve relevant data in context from different enterprise and LOB systems will enable seamless automation of cross-functional, multi-department business processes.Storing documents of record in multiple different systems makes management and tracking nearly impossible. Imagine trying to implement a corporate records management policy with documents stored in multiple systems, each with its own interface for retrieving and accessing documents. Additionally, many key documents, like contracts, affect many functional parts of the business (legal, purchasing, procurement, service/support, etc.) so it makes sense to house business critical documents in a common system and expose them as needed within the context of the business process.Many large organizations have implemented dif-ferent workflow case management and ECM solutions in different departments inside the organization. The net result has been many different silos of ECM/work-flow technology from different vendors. The resulting challenges include: IT management, troubleshooting and end-user support for different vendor solutions Application development requires a broad set of internal IT skills across multiple vendor platforms or reliance on external vendors to provide the necessary skills. Integration and software upgrade challenges for multiple platforms Additional end-user complexity from having to learn multiple systemsIn summary, many organizations would benefit from implementing workflow, case management and ECM as an enterprise layer upon which departments can construct specific line of business workflow automation solutions integrating with existing Enterprise systems. Utilizing a common enterprise layer for workflow/ECM will facilitate cross-functional workflows that interact with many enterprise systems. Additionally, it will enable the use of a common system of record for document content shared across the enterprise. A common repository will facilitate corporate records management, auditability, regulatory compliance and control of protected information. Utilizing a common enterprise layer for workflow/ECM will facilitate cross-functional workflows that interact with many enterprise systemsMarlon Miller
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