Specifications
The Approve workflow engine
At the heart of the Approve system is the Approve workflow engine. The workflow engine monitors and directs the items as they move through the workflow processes. Workflow steps are defined by a workflow definition file that allows any number of attended or automated steps. Each step in the workflow process may have up to four possible outcomes defined as approved,rejected,exception,timeout or yes,no,exception,timeout. This allows the system to cater for simple step to step processing or complex workflows involving interaction with other systems, and complex validation against workflow rules. Each workflow queue may have one or many users. The workflow engine assigns work items to users on a load balanced arrangement so that work is distributed evenly among users. Individual users may be marked as unavailable, the workflow engine will detect that condition and pass the item to another available user. The workflow engine also monitors timers to ensure that no item is held as 'pending' too long. Items that have completed approval are passed back to the workflow engine to be routed as 'completed'. Completion routing could include permanent storage in Docpoint or some other custom processing step.
Web based administration
The Approve administrators 'dashboard' provides administrators with a detailed view of all work in the system at any time. Administrators may change the state of an item, add or delete approvers, or change the status of an approver.
Web based approvers interface
Approvers are notified by email when an item is pending. Approvers access the Approve system using a web based interface to display approval requests queued for their attention. The approver may approve or reject the item. A configuration function allows approvers to set their status to 'Not available' when they are unavailable to process approval requests, for example when they are on leave.
Fully customisable
Approve can be fully customised to suit your applications. Both the approve user interface and the workflow rules can easily be modified to suit any application.
Server requirements:
- OS: Microsoft Windows or Linux
- Web server: Apache/PHP or equiv
- Database: MySql or Microsoft SQL Server