Solution that leverages an instant messaging system to manage ad hoc business process workflows

摘要

A process definition entered into a user interface that is coupled with an instant messaging client application can be identified. The process definition can represent an ad hoc business process. The process definition can utilize entities defined in a contact of the instant messaging (IM) client application. The process definition can execute. Upon reaching a terminating condition defined within the process definition, results of executing the process definition can be presented via the user interface.

主权项

1. A method for utilizing an instant messaging system to manage the execution of ad hoc business processes comprising:
identifying a user-created process definition entered into a user interface of an instant messaging client application by a user, wherein said process definition represents an ad hoc business process, and, wherein the process definition utilizes entities defined in a contact of the instant messaging (IM) client application; creating the process definition by defining process flow controls for directing execution of the process definition based upon responses to the IMs received from the participants, wherein the process flow controls comprise at least a process continuation and a process termination; during an instant messaging communication session and responsive to an invocation action invoked from the user interface of the instant messaging client application, executing the process definition; and upon reaching a terminating condition defined within the process definition, presenting results of executing the process definition via the user interface, wherein the process definition created by the user interface is written in a standardized computing language.