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Vinicius Amaral Technology Director iProcess Ltd. vinicius.amaral@iprocess.com.br www.iprocess.com.br. Boosting Process Performance with Oracle Workflow. Agenda. Introduction Oracle Workflow reviewed Key Motivations for Adoption Systems Overview Highlights and Best Practices Conclusions.
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Vinicius AmaralTechnology Director iProcess Ltd. vinicius.amaral@iprocess.com.br www.iprocess.com.br
Agenda • Introduction • Oracle Workflow reviewed • Key Motivations for Adoption • Systems Overview • Highlights and Best Practices • Conclusions
Introduction • Who is iProcess? • Brazilian Oracle Partner specialized in workflow and content management technology • Offers Oracle platform-based services and products • Headquartered in Porto Alegre, Brazil
Introduction • Presents how Sonae Distribuição Brasil implemented workflow technology • Some facts about Sonae • Brazilian branch of Portuguese Sonae Group • third-largest retail group of Brazil • annual sales of around US$1.1 billion • more than 22,000 employees • more than 160 stores in 62 cities of 4 states
Introduction • Some facts about this case study • Comprises 15 workflow systems (by Sept 1st) • One of the largest Oracle Workflow implementations today with more than 3,000 active users • Built with Oracle Workflow • Awards received • Brazil Best Workflow Application at Infoimagem 2002 • Latin America Gold Medal at Giga Group, WfMC, WARIA 2003 Global Awards for Excellence in Workflow • First Oracle Workflow solution to receive such recognition
Oracle Workflow Reviewed • Powerful tool for workflow systems development and execution • Suitable for all kinds of workflow: production, administrative, document, integration • Present in: • Oracle E-Business Suite • Oracle Database Server • Oracle internet Application Server • Oracle Collaboration Suite
Web Notification Worklist Web Monitor Execution Definition Administration Web Admin Tools Monitoring Query Oracle Workflow Architecture Business Event System Notification Services Workflow Engine Workflow Builder Send Send Respond Receive Workflow Loader Forward Raise Oracle HTTP Server Cancel Listen Query Query Workflow Definition Files Oracle Workflow Enabled Application Workflow Development Client Browser Client Application Server Oracle Database Server
Changing Priorities • Sonae arrived in Brazil in late 80’s through a joint-venture • Fast company expansion started in 1998 through acquisition • Pace reduced from 2001 on • Priority in consolidation instead of expansion • Need to roll-out apps (SAP, BDN) • Need to control store operations • Need to align culture
Hard times for Retail • Brazilian economy slows down from 2001 on • High interest rates, low workers income make retail sales decline • Cost control and reduction became #1 issue
Workflow @ Sonae • Workflow technology was seen as the key • Can easily integrate every store and employee in standard, trustworthy business processes • Conciliates the autonomy needed by the stores with HQ control • Enforces business processes compliance • Automatic integration with existing enterprise applications
Systems Overview • First system (Travel Workflow) implemented by April 2002 • Strong business impact stimulated new systems development • 15 systems in production by Sept 1st • 7 new systems planned for next months
Workflows Implemented • Retail-Specific • Goods Price Change • Ad. Approval • Customer Claim • Sales Campaign • Customer Feedback • Product Divergence • Supplies Budget Change • Supplier Info Change • General/Administrative • Travel • Reimbursement • Cash Expenses • On Credit Expenses • Payment Requirement • Investment • IT Project Control
Architecture - Administrative PL/SQL Web Form Custom systems Oracle HTTP Server Oracle Workflow SAP R/3 Workplace Application Oracle Database
Architecture – Retail Specific Triggers, APIs, XML Events (jobs, apps, PDAs) Oracle Workflow Custom systems Oracle HTTP Server Oracle Database Workplace Application
Workflow Web Form Launches workflow
Business Impact • Control of expenses and budget • Workflow assures proper expense approval and budget query/update • Related Workflows • Travel • Reimbursement • Cash Expenses • On Credit Expenses • Payment Requirement
Business Impact • Process Agility • Communication between stores and HQ made fast and transparent • Task automation • Deadline control • Elimination of paper • Virtualization of work • Related to All Workflows
Business Impact • Failure/Loss Elimination • Workflow enforces good practices and allows HQ supervision in near-real time • Related Workflows • Goods Price Change • Product Divergence • Advertisement Approval
Business Impact • Better customer care • Workflow assures customer response in a structured and timely way • Improves Sonae’s corporate image • Related Workflows • Customer Claim • Customer Feedback
Highlights and Best Practices
Approach Redesign Current Business Process Technology Redesigned Process Workflow Analyst Users Workflow/ Apps Developer Workflow Development Automated Process
Task automation • Replaces low-value human tasks by workflow functions • Example: automated contract validation • Sonae saves at least 20,000 labor hours/year by automating tasks
Legacy systems integration • Automates data-entry operations • Captures events to trigger workflows • Example: invoice entry in SAP • Allowed Sonae to reduce its accounting staff by around 50%
Productivity-oriented UI • Single screen presenting data from several systems • Complexity hidden from final user • Essential to improve decision-making tasks • Estimated 18,000-hour annual saving
Budget data Previous instances data Workflow data
Reporting • Bottom line tools • Allow process control, real-time information • Management tools • Allow process optimization, continuous improvement • Open data model and APIs allow custom reports
Wireless access • Senior management request • WAP access • Used Sonae’s existing WAP infrastructure • New application developed • Reproducing all vital information is an issue
Summary • Workflow is a proven technology to speed business processes and reduce costs • Great benefits when process is redesigned • Oracle Workflow delivers a complete, scalable environment to build and run workflow applications
Next Steps…. • Recommended sessions • #40196 Workflow and Business Events (Wed 11:00 A.M) • #40290 Streamline Business Process in Real Time with Business Activity Monitoring (Thu 08:30 A.M.) • Relevant web sites to visit for more information • www.wfmc.org • otn.oracle.com/products/ias/workflow • www.sonae.pt/index_i.asp • www.iprocess.com.br • www.iprocess.com.br/premio/pressrelease_english.asp
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