On the Practical Relevance of an Integrated Workflow Management System - Results of an Empirical Study

Abstract

The implementation of the integrated standard software SAP R/3 has beenfully or partially completed in many Swiss companies. Many of thesecompanies are now initiating follow-up projects with the aim ofexpanding their use of SAP R/3. One possible area that is frequentlymentioned in this context is the use of workflow management systems(WfMS). The Information Engineering Research Group of the Institute ofInformation Systems, University of Bern, therefore conducted anempirical study among Swiss R/3 users at the end of 1997, with the aimof obtaining a better assessment of the importance and current status ofworkflow management, particularly on the basis of SAP R/3. This surveyendeavors to summarize the findings obtained with SAP Business Workflow(SAP BWF) to date, in order to provide some ideas for applicationscenarios and information about potential advantages and disadvantages.