Design And Implementation Of A Workflow Management Subsystem Of A PDM System

After analyzing the problems it is confronted, Daqing Oilfield Design Institute realized that it must import new computer technologies—computer assisted design technology and computer assisted management system in order to improve its competitive capability and the application of computers, especially the PDM (product Data Management) system of enterprise levels. With this system, product development efficiency can be greatly increased while product development period is shortened. The electronic dada which are now kept individually by various departments can be managed collectively. In this way, the incorporeal property of the institute is properly protected. The key for an enterprise to successfully utilize PDM system is flexibly workflow management. To manage an enterprise in a way as a workflow is to change its traditional management into a workflow mode, which will be automatically operated within the enterprise through the computer system. In this way, various tasks of the workflow can be traced and controlled and the information of the enterprise can also be properly transmitted. With the workflow management function, an enterprise can easily realized its workflow, process automated, competence developed and information standardized. When a workflow management module is connected with PDM system, a powerful workflow management and monitor function is provided. The PDM system can complete various workflow set-up and management. The time for design, process and manufacture can be shortened. Working efficiency of the enterprise can be greatly enhanced, which surely leads to the increase of its competitive capability.Workflow management is the key link of PDM system in its successful operation. Taking the sub-system of workflow management in the"integrated management system of design information"as the basis, this paper introduces the steps of realizing workflow management in PDM system while focusing on the methods of PDM system design and implementation.In order to make the workflow computerization, this system introduced matter concepts. Matter can be defined as an operation sequence. It can be divided into top level and inserted level. In workflow management of PDM system, matter on the top level is the link which starts the process while matter on the inserted level is the intermediate link. Tree-shaped management model is constructed in the system for convenient applications.In developing sub-system of workflow management, object-oriented development method is employed. Design business is abstracted as an entity ultra class, and each step all may turn into abstractly the regulation in from the transmitting end to accepts the side to use the example, and seals the processing movement.To be consistent with the"integrated management system of design information", the whole module in the sub system is made up of database, internal core layer, function layer, interface layer. The data base is Sql Server 2005. Internal core layer operates the database. In this layer, standard DLL is formed for the use in upper layer. The function of workflow module is realized through the operation of internal core layer by function layer. COM component is formed in this layer for the visits of interface layer by different languages. Interface layer is the place where the system and clients meet. A friendly man-machine interactive interface is provided here with the platform of Visual Studio Net 2005. It was developed with C# language.This paper describes how the interface layer is implemented in a detailed way. Based on the properties of system structure and workflow, the sub-system of workflow management is made up of three parts: Flowchart Designer, FlowBox,FlowManager. These three modules are independent to each other for different functions. They are also connected with each other through database to implement the design target of workflow management in the PDM system.Flowchart Designer is the module for design, with which Flowchart can be formed, kept and distributed to workflow. FlowBox is the module for operation which is used to start, receive and send workflow as well as to execute tasks. Workflow Manager is the module for management. The system manager can check and monitor the workflow under operation so that problems or out-dated workflow can be managed in time.The"integrated management system of design information"is now be used in Daqing Oilfield Design Institute. Applications show that the sub-system of workflow management becomes more and more important. Workflow management sub-functions are complete and easy to be operated with excellent man-machine interactive capabilities. It can surely provide an enterprise with automation in management. The management in an enterprise can be operated as a workflow. This module has strict control of competence. During its operation, only those who are related to this workflow can visit and revise its documents. Secrecy of an enterprise in its engineering work can be kept safely. Workflow management is closely connected with the enterprise organizations, which lays a firm foundation for the successful execution of"integrated management system of design information".