Sap Ag

Sap Se

Karsten A Schulz

Wasim Sadiq

Maria E Orlowska

Alexander Dreiling

Michael Rosemann

Simon M Stebbins

Kim E Fuller

A method and system to manage tasks are described. The method may provide a graphical user interface to allow a user to identify a first task context and associate a plurality of first tasks with the first task context, and to identify a second task context and associate a plurality of second tasks with the second task context. The method may associate at least one of the plurality of first tasks with at least one of the plurality of second tasks. Accordingly, tasks in different contexts and sourced from different applications may be managed.

Cross-context task management

A method and a system to file relayed e-mails is provided. The method includes receiving an e-mail, the e-mail including addressing information in an e-mail header and an the e-mail body. The e-mail is parsed to obtain the addressing information from the e-mail header and the e-mail body, after which the addressing information is extracted from the parsed e-mail. This formation is stored and used to generate a participant list, which is provided to the user. The user relies on this participant list to file e-mails in e-mail folders associated with a participant that the user selects from the participant list. The participant list is presented to a user to enable the user to select a participant from the participant list.

Method and system to file relayed e-mails

A method and system to manage tasks are described. The method may comprise providing a graphical user interface to a user, receiving user input via the graphical user interface to identify a composite task and at least two individual tasks, and associating the at least two individual tasks with the composite or virtual task. An operation performed on the composite task may be automatically performed on the individual tasks.

Methods and systems to perform individual tasks as a composite task

An exemplary embodiment providing for one or more improvements includes an e-mail server including at least one client mailbox for the receipt of e-mail over a network, and at least one client apparatus of the client computer coupled to the e-mail server for access to the e-mail in the client mailbox, wherein at least one of the e-mail server and the client apparatus facilitates in the filing of e-mail by providing a number of suggestions to the client user as to where to file the e-mail. One exemplary method facilitates the filing of e-mail by monitoring the filing of e-mail by an e-mail recipient, creating a dynamic shortcut list based upon the monitoring, and displaying the shortcut list to facilitate the filing of e-mail by an e-mail recipient. Another exemplary method to facilitate e-mail filing includes detecting a request for a recommendation as to where to file an e-mail by an e-mail recipient, analyzing the e-mail, comparing the e-mail to a database of e-mail filing information, and displaying a shortcut list to facilitate the filing of the e-mail by the e-mail recipient.

E-mail filing system and method

A computer-implemented method for configuring a business process includes configuring a solution map and deriving a pre-configured set of collaborative business scenarios based on the solution map. The pre-configured set of collaborative business scenarios is then configured and a pre-configured set of event driven process chains is derived based on the configured set of collaborative business scenarios. Finally, the pre-configured set of event driven process chains is configured.

Multi-perspective business process configuration

Techniques for making transformations between combined and individual workflows are described. For example, a first party, such as a first enterprise, may have a pre-determined workflow designed to implement a plurality of tasks. Similarly, a second party may have its own pre-determined workflow designed to implement a separate plurality of tasks. All of the tasks associated with the first workflow and the second workflow may be combined into a combined workflow having a task order that, when executed, provides a desired result of a business collaboration between the first party and the second party. Ordering tasks operable to implement the order of the combined workflow also may be added to achieve the desired result. Conversely, a workflow, such as a combined workflow associated with the first party and the second party, may be split into separate workflows that are individually associated with the first party and the second party, to thereby better allocate resources for completion of the combined workflow.

Transformations between combined and individual workflows

A workflow model is described. In one example of the workflow model, a first workflow is associated with a first party, and a first workflow view is used to represent an abstraction of the first workflow. Similarly, a second workflow is associated with a second party, and a second workflow view is used to represent an abstraction of the second workflow. Then, a coalition workflow view referencing the first workflow view and the second workflow view provides a collaborative workflow that specifies tasks that the first party and the second party are required to perform. In this way, multiple parties may easily partner with one another to accomplish a business objective, while maintaining a level of confidentiality of their workflow processes.

Workflow management architecture

A workflow model is described. The workflow model includes a workflow that includes actual tasks, and a workflow view, or virtual workflow, that includes virtual tasks. Each of the virtual tasks is associated with at least one of the actual tasks. The workflow and virtual workflow are compiled into an aggregate workflow. By implementing the aggregate workflow in a workflow engine, the workflow and virtual workflow are executed concurrently and in synchronization with one another.

Aggregation of private and shared workflows

Techniques for modifying an abstraction level of a workflow are described. For example, a workflow may be analyzed to determine a first plurality of tasks, and the first plurality of tasks may then be combined into a first virtual task within an abstracted workflow. Then, the first virtual task may be linked to the first plurality of tasks, such that a virtual execution of the abstracted workflow corresponds to an actual execution of the workflow. In this way, the abstracted workflow may be shared with other parties, while a level of confidentiality associated with the workflow is preserved.

Transformations between private and shared workflows

A video-conferencing system is described that provides physical cues regarding remote participants. Each remote participant is physically represented at a video conference by a robotic unit that includes a monitor, camera, microphone and speaker. In this way, a physical presence of the remote participant is conveyed at the conference, so that other participants are more likely to involve the remote participant. Moreover, the remote participant has access to a gesture determination system, which inputs gesture information about the remote participant that expresses a state of mind of the participant. Such gesture information may include leaning forward to show interest, or leaning back to show disinterest. The gesture information is transmitted to the robotic unit, which is actuated so as to reflect the gesture information, and thereby express the state of mind of the remote participant in a physical, intuitive way.

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Middle Park, Australia

Karsten A Schulz