eFlow: A Java-Based Workflow Service
G. Robert Malan, Jarir Chaar, Santanu Paul, and Peter Masters.
Proceedings of the OOPSLA '98 Workshop on Implementation and Application of Object Oriented Workflow Management Systems
October 1998; Vancouver, British Columbia.

ABSTRACT:

eFlow is a lightweight framework for supporting workflow on the Internet. It allows Web-based workflow processes to inter-operate through the use of the Rainmaker interface. These web-based workflow processes are exported to users in the form of web pages with embedded Java applets. The applets consist of eSuite components including: spreadsheet, word processor, charting, and presentation applets. eFlow uses email as its notification mechanism, providing a universal inbox for users. Persistence of both state and application data is provided through the Servlet File System (SFS), a distributed web-based file system. eFlow allows mobile users to access their worklist tasks from any point in the network (intranet or Internet) using only a Java-enabled web browser or a thin client platform such as a Network Computer (NC). As a Java-based application, the implementation as well as the data items are defined within an object oriented framework. This paper describes the eFlow architecture and illustrates its functionality through the use of an example process: a grant proposal workflow process.