Sharepoint Workflow Process

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS) is a fully integrated software platform that supports work flow processes where steps in a process--including approval steps--are fully automated. Application logic can be created or changed without custom code. With the MOSS 2007 platform, programmers using Visual Studio as well as SharePoint Designer can help customers automate a wide variety of work flow processes, creating efficiency and resulting in internal and external customer satisfaction.

Inspection Process Automated

A Microsoft solution provider took a manual field inspection process of a major oil company and automated it. First the field inspector entered the report on a PC tablet. The work flow process then routed the report to all the appropriate departments, and posted the results to each of the employees that needed the real time information to make decisions.

Invoice Approval Process Automated

A client for another solution provider had a manual accounts payable (AP) invoice approval system which was creating late fees and penalties. The solution provider designed a paper-free invoice approval work flow so that AP clerks were able to route invoices within seconds to the approval user. They in turn could approve, reject or advance to another approval level. The client company was able to utilize early payment benefits instead of late fees by using the automated work flow program.

Action Item Created From a Discussion

Sales team, service teams or any other group of people can take discussion items from meetings, put them into the work flow process and create an action item like "Develop a Project Plan" for the person that started the discussion. The person can then develop the project plan and forward it on to teammates for review and further discussion.

Expense Account Process Automated

Using a work flow process, employees can enter expense reports in a computer system and when the total expenses reach a designated amount the expense report can be routed automatically to the appropriate person for approval. Once approved the expense report can then be routed to accounts payable and payment can be disbursed.

Employee Assignment Notification

If a manufacturing company uses work orders and assigns them manually to the appropriate personnel, an automated work flow process could provide efficiency. Once the work order is entered into the computer, it could be routed to the appropriate employee and that employee could route the completed work order on to the next department automatically.

Contract Completion Process Automated

Processing contracts is another example of work flow process. An email message can be automatically sent to alert the appropriate whenever a new contract enters the system. That person can then view the new contract and reject, approve or edit it and the contract would move to the next step in the process.

References

• Microsoft
• Simple Share Point

Resources

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