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In current economy, technological solutions like cloud computing, service-oriented architecture (SOA) and complex event processing (CEP) are recognized as modern approaches used for increasing the business agility and achieving innovation. The complexity of collaborative business environment raises more and more the need for performant workflow management systems (WfMS) that meet current requirements. Each approach has advantages, but also faces challenges. In this paper we propose a solution for integration of cloud computing with WfMS, SOA and CEP that allows these technologies to complete each other and bank on their benefits to increase agility and reduce the challenges/problems. The paper presents a short introduction in the subject, followed by an analysis of the combination between cloud computing and WfMS and the benefits of cloud based workflow management system. The paper ends with a solution for combining cloud WfMS with SOA and CEP in order to gain business agility and real time collaboration, followed by conclusions and research directions.
Keywords: Cloud Computing, Cloud Workflow Management System, Collaborative Workflow, Workflow-as-a-Service (WaaS), Service Oriented Workflow Management System
1 Introduction
During its evolution, humanity always looked for instruments and innovative solutions that ensure maximum comfort from the perspective of human universe dimensions: familial, social, cultural, economic, religious etc. Many times during this social development, the individual had to resort to various association forms with others in order to achieve these goals, thus laying the foundation for what we call today collaboration. Current forms of association transcend the original goals and the individual aspirations have been altered and transposed into mercantile organization objectives. Unconditional support of these considerations is reflected by the capitalist system and largely by the industrial system, where the aim of earning money through all means outweighs any attempt of collaboration in the original meaning. Unfortunately the mercantilism is not only an economic doctrine of 15th-18th centuries, but it is still fully manifest in the digital society.
Beyond these considerations, thinking of the social and economic status quo we must notice a change in the business paradigm. The traditional models defined through the goal of maximizing the profit adapt to modern management doctrines, oriented towards the individuals. Current society is not only information and knowledge based; it is also a society of technology and artificial intelligence. Transposing...