BPM’s primary roots are in the process management capabilities of workflow tools but as mentioned previously, it also includes capabilities derived from process modeling, application integration, process analytics, rules management, and collaboration portals. TIBCO’s BPM suite, the TIBCO Staffware Process Suite™, brings these elements together into a single platform that provides the basis for the independent process layer. To function effectively across the enterprise and all its key processes the independent process layer must be able to:

• Handle a wide range of different processes
• Manage very complex processes
• Scale to thousands of different processes and millions of different
• Process instances
• Enable the rapid creation and deployment of new processes
• Allow a non-technical business user to rapidly define and deploy a process change
• Allow true 24x7 operation

Modeling and Simulation – It is important that business users be able to engage in process definition. TIBCO recognizes this and so provides a graphical modeling environment where business users can define and change processes using a drag and drop toolset. TIBCO Staffware Process Suite™ also provides a simulation environment so that users can refine a process before deploying it, avoiding the expensive process of identifying process problems in “the real world.”

Business Rule Engine – The rules governing business processes tend to change more frequently than the processes themselves. TIBCO iProcess Decisions™, TIBCO’s business rule engine, extracts business rules from the process, improving processes flexibility. iProcess Decisions increases this flexibility further by putting complete control of business rules in the hands of business people, enabling them to make changes to rules or create new rules as their needs dictate, rather than as the availability of IT resources permits.

an SOA Foundation – A service-oriented architecture (SOA) ensures long-term BPM flexibility. Using TIBCO’s SOA platform, TIBCO BusinessWorks™ users are able to transform monolithic CRM, ERP and legacy applications into discrete reusable services, which then serve as building blocks that can be combined, organized and orchestrated to support complex business processes. Changes to services can be made independently of processes and vice versa.

Execution Engine – The heart of a BPM suite is the process engine that executes the business process as you have defined it. TIBCO Staffware Process Suite™ is powered by TIBCO iProcess™ Engine. This engine tracks the state of the process at any given time and ensures that the correct sequences of process steps are followed as defined by the business. It is able to handle high volume, mission critical processes, including support for in-flight process changes, ad hoc routing and more.

Real-time Monitoring and Process Optimization – Monitoring processes as they execute is critical.TIBCO BusinessFactor™ provides real-time monitoring so that problems can be addressed as they arise, or even before. TIBCO HAWK™ (Enterprise Monitor) (pdf) provides system monitoring, ensuring that the systems involved in executing processes are sound and functioning. The last component required for effective process management is provided by TIBCO iProcess Analytics™. Users are able to slice and dice past process performance data providing a complete picture of the process and how to optimize it.

Presentation and Collaboration – People play a vital role in most business processes. A BPM suite should provide a rich environment for people to play their part in the process and efficiently complete the work items necessary to progress the process. TIBCO Staffware Process Suite™ provides rich, customizable clients that help users effectively manage the work they and their subordinates have.