A peer-to-peer architecture for workflow in virtual enterprises

Abstract

Workflow technology seeks to support or automate the performance of organizational processes. When the organization is a virtual enterprise, the conventional client-server workflow architecture is not suitable: virtual enterprises lack centralized resources and administration to support server installations. Further, virtual enterprise participants can be highly autonomous and heterogeneous. A workflow system to support virtual enterprises must account for autonomy and heterogeneity, as well as wide geographic distribution. This paper proposes a peer-to-peer architecture for deploying workflow in virtual enterprises engaged in knowledge-intensive activities. It views a virtual enterprise as a loosely coupled organization of autonomous, distributed actors supported by individual workflow nodes that enact local processes to guide the actor, and share events to coordinate activities with other members of the organization.