ProductVision Workflow (WF) Module greatly simplifies the execution and tracking of workflows that are commonly encountered in product development.  This may include new product creation, reformulation projects, competitive analysis studies, and raw material replacement projects.

The Workflow Module allows you to integrate and optimize your business processes, providing increased efficiency and accountability.  Any number of unique approval processes can be created for different product lines, plant locations, or for any other reason.  Using your organization’s E-Mail system, all participants in the approval process are actively involved, speeding the product development process.  The Workflow Module guarantees that the routing will be sent to the right individuals for action based upon your business rules.  This ensures that tasks do not fall through the cracks, paperwork associated with that process is eliminated, and dependence on clerical staff is reduced, allowing you to deliver more with existing resources.

An Example Workflow Process

Let’s take a typical new product development process where the sales group identifies the need for a new product.  The next step may be to request that a project be initiated by the marketing department.  If the project looks feasible, the development laboratory is contacted to develop the desired product.  Once a final formula is developed, the chemist would continue the approval process by contacting the next person in the process by E-Mail.

This is the type of process that the Workflow Module was designed to automate.  Each step in the development process would have actions that are performed when the step starts, one or more actions or approvals, and an ending action to be performed if the step is approved or disapproved.  In a typical approval process, the “fail” option would be to E-Mail the initiator that the approval for the formula was not obtained.   The “pass” option would update the formula “status” and continue the process to the next participant or complete the process.



An Unlimited Number of Workflows May be Created

The Workflow Module allows you to create workflows for raw materials, formulas, and for development projects.  You may create as many different workflows as necessary to meet your current and future business processes.  For example, your raw materials approval processes may vary by location, with different people involved in the process.  In this case, you can set up individual raw material approval processes everywhere they are required.

Paperwork is Reduced Using the Automated Workflow Process

Participants in an approval process are notified by e-mail when action is required.  The e-mail can specify the action desired and include attachments such as system reports, Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, etc.

Complicated Processes Can be Modeled Using the Workflow Module

The Workflow Module has features which allow you to model complex processes.  These features include "go to" branching, conditional execution of steps, the ability to "chain" (or nest) multiple approval processes, and user-defined script execution.

Workflow Statuses are Tracked in the Workflow Administrator

The Workflow Administrator allows you to determine the status of any or all current workflow processes.  A flexible query system lets you find processes by manager, start date, required date, late steps, etc.