Why? According to Gartner’s recent research paper, Liberate Your Business Processes From Your ERP With BPM for Agility by Janelle Hill and Derek Prior, BPM suites make business processes more accessible to a wider range of organisational users, enabling them to operate and modify them faster according to rapidly changing business needs. This helps companies modify processes at the pace of their business. Using this approach, a smart business will overlay its ERP with a BPM suite which integrates with the ERP and other systems, acting as the “connective tissue” between these systems. Gartner says that most processes, especially human-centric processes should be “liberated from the ERP” and placed where they can be more agile and effective, in a BPM suite.

Gartner highlighted PNMsoft’s BPM-ERP solution for the Portuguese government as an example of how liberating processes from the ERP into a BPM can provide significant business results:

“…ESPAP (IT provider for the Portugues Government) is overlaying and extending them with a process layer implemented in Sequence Kinetics from PNMsoft. Sequence is combined with other technologies outside the ERP and orchestrates end-to-end capital expense reviews and approvals, warehouse goods requisitions, and a number of employee self-service processes.”

When I asked our CEO, Gal Horvitz, what his reaction was to the report, he replied, “Gartner’s point, that liberating business processes from the ERP into a BPM solution makes them more accessible, agile, and effective, is something we see with our own customers. With its unique HotChange^TM technology, PNMsoft’s Sequence Kinetics iBPMS provides our customers with the missing process link between their existing architecture and their users, enabling them to stay competitive in a dynamic marketplace.”

-Eli Stutz, Head of Knowledge and Collaboration, PNMsoft

Example 1: Lead Nurturing Process

Dynamics CRM is an ideal tool for recording and qualifying leads. Once a lead record has been created, it can be assigned to the appropriate owner on the sales team, and that person can take the necessary steps to nurture the lead towards an opportunity and then hopefully a sale. But what system is in place which reminds the sales rep to take these necessary steps, or even ensures that he performs them, in a standardised, optimised manner each time? Often, there isn’t. That’s where a BPM system comes into play. A BPM Lead Nurturing process is a step by step, automated workflow, which notifies the sales rep when a new lead has been assigned to him, provides him with action item tasks that are required to nurture the lead, such as contacting the lead by email or phone, sending the lead supplementary materials, and attempting to set a meeting with the lead, etc. This type of step by step workflow is the bread and butter of a BPM suite, but it can only be actualised, if the BPM suite and the CRM suite are tightly integrated.

Example 2: Support Ticket Process

A new support case has been created in Dynamics CRM with all of its details. What’s nice is that the case is connected to all the customer’s data and previous case history. But what will ensure now that the proper support team member receives the case, handles it according to defined steps, possibly escalates it, and ensures that it is completed accurately in an optimal manner? Once again we enter the realm of BPM. BPM suites are design to ensure compliance with a rigorous step-by-step workflow of activities and tasks, and there is no better product which notifies and ensures completion of action items on time. If the BPM suite is tightly integrated with the CRM, such a process can occur. It can even include the customer in the process, enabling him to view the status of his case, and see where exactly along the process it stands currently.

CRM-BPM Integration

There are few BPM suites that integrate tightly with CRM solutions. One such example is PNMsoft’s Sequence Kinetics, which includes out-of-the-box integration activities with Dynamics CRM. These include activities which create new records of Dynamics CRM entities, fetch and retrieve entities, update entities, and perform common actions, such as assignment, etc. on entities. To create a full-fledged, optimal support or sales CRM solution, we recommend considering such CRM-BPM integration. In effect, it may be only way to ensure that CRM-related process are completed in a timely, standardised manner by your personnel. With such a solution, you will be able to drive your organisational architecture forward toward its business goals.

Not necessarily. Other European countries have faced similar situations in the recent past, where the choice is between slashing budgets or going bankrupt. Recently, more and more governments have been turning to smarter management of their core internal and public-facing processes, in order to achieve these savings. Streamlining processes, especially those surrounding public service administration, and internal finance and HR, can mean big savings for government institutions. But such process improvement requires a bold IT move, often toward a Workflow and BPMS (Business Process Management Suite) Software to get the job done.

Several major government offices and IT providers for such offices have recently employed a BPMS to streamline their processes and reduce spending. How does this work? A BPMS takes old isolated systems and manual processes, which are often not standardised and can take weeks if not months to complete, and transforms them into web form driven, task-based workflows which can be completed in a matter of days or even hours, by limited personnel, in a standardised manner. These processes can now be shared by many business units and organisations.

One such example is eSPap, the major IT provider for the Portuguese government who implemented PNMsoft’s BPMS to unify tens of different applications across multiple ministries. The BPMS handles these business processes in one standard, shared solution. It automates and controls HR and Finance processes, and streamlines government operations. The BPMS leverages ERP data into a SharePoint front end portal, where government employees manage each process. Using this solution, eSPap was able to reduce TCO by 80% and Time to Delivery by 70%. eSPap presented a Case Study on their BPMS implementation at the Gartner ITxpo in Barcelona in 2011. They continue to expand this solution today.

Israel’s Ministry of Industry and Trade is also using a BPMS to automate processes such as its import license request process. This process previously took weeks or months to complete, and involved applicants having to travel to multiple locations and get approval on multiple paper-based forms. Now this process has been cut down to weeks or days, and all of the steps are web-based, and tracked by government personnel. The Ministry has expanded BPMS use into its Kindergarten registration process and several other processes as well. (Read the Case Study).

PNMsoft CEO Gal Horvitz explains, “Often the key pieces of infrastructure such as CRM, ERP and SharePoint are in place, all the organisation is missing is a system to bridge the gaps between these existing systems, with human-centric process management. A BPMS fills this gap and enables governments to save expenses where such processes had been carried out manually or using isolated systems. Perhaps even more importantly, a BPMS gives the management level (as well as the citizens if required), the type of visibility it needs to monitor process progress, resolve bottlenecks and intervene when the need arises. That’s the type of functionality which improves performance, minimises risks, and saves costs. The same techniques are also used successfully in non-government organisations such as financial services, manufacturing and others.”

In short, a 2% budget cut that is founded on process improvement is far from impossible. In fact, with proper BPMS implementations, even more significant savings are possible. It’s just a matter of taking the critical decision to make process improvement a priority.

About PNMsoft

At PNMsoft we believe IT professionals can be the driving force in any organisation’s success. Using unique HotChange™ technology, Sequence Kinetics™ is an Intelligent BPM Suite that enables rapid build and change of high availability, mobile enabled workflow applications, while maintaining development lifecycle governance. Sequence Kinetics extends Microsoft platforms like SharePoint, Dynamics and Azure and provides unparalleled mobile and social collaboration capabilities. PNMsoft is a multinational company with headquarters in the UK and a global network of business partners. PNMsoft is on Gartner’s iBPMS Magic Quadrant for 2012, is recognised by IDC as a BPM Major Player, and is a Microsoft Gold ISV.

Click to try Sequence Kinetics™ Today !

For more information: info@pnmsoft.com, + 44 (0)192 381 3420

The Conference will include:

• Over 113 Sessions delivered by Global SharePoint Experts, Microsoft Speakers and MVP’s
• 3 Days of Sessions covering 7 tracks and Ask the Experts sessions
• Over 40 hours of networking opportunities
• An Exhibitor Hall providing a hub of activity, superb entertainment and the chance to find out about the latest products and services.

Who Should Attend:

• IT Professionals
• Developers
• IT Managers
• IT Consultants
• Project Managers
• Business Analysts
• SharePoint Consultants
• SharePoint Developers
• Power End Users
• Business Decision Makers

Workflows are only the start…

PNMsoft’s Sequence Kinetics iBPMS is the only SharePoint-based
pure-play Workflow solution that has been recognised by Gartner as an Intelligent BPM Suite (see Gartner’s iBPMS Magic Quadrant 2012). At this conference, meet with us to discover how an intelligent BPM suite can deliver superior workflow functionality within SharePoint, outpacing other products who deliver only basic workflow features. Sequence Kinetics iBPMS includes advanced features such as:

• Mobile Workflows
• Interactive Forms
• Integration with CRM/ERP
• Advnaced Version Management
• Social Collaboration
• Intelligent Analytics

…using our unique HotChange^TM technology.

Email us to set up your Free Workflow Evolution Session.

The current crisis could have been averted had there been in place a clear and enforceable supplier auditing process, and a structured, Quality Assurance program that allows for an accurate and traceable flow of information. This program requires a workflow tool with the capability to handle end-to-end automation, providing executives, managers and employees with clear, relevant and real-time monitoring capability.

PNMsoft’s Sequence Kinetics^TM is a Workflow Software suite which integrates with Microsoft SharePoint, enabling manufacturers to manage and control Quality Assurance, Risk and Operational workflows. This minimises the risk of quality incidents such as the horsemeat crisis.

QA Workflows include:

• Supplier management
• Audits and Compliance with ISO standards
• Complaints
• Risk Management
• Corrective and preventative maintenance
• Non-conformities
• Event investigation
• QA Document Management

Sequence Kinetics^TM includes workflow processing between the company and the supply chain as well as automation of internal procedures. It improves visibility of work procedures and enforces compliance with regulatory standards.

Read: British Frozen Food Federation Article on PNMsoft QA Solution

Complete the form below to read a white paper on our QA Workflow Solution:

Learn More About Sequence Kinetics Quality Assurance Technology

Designed with both Business and IT Professionals in mind, this is Europe’s most important annual gathering of the business process management community.

HOT TOPICS:

• Making BPM part of the strategic plan

• How BPM can enable transformational change

• Convergence of cloud, mobile, social & information with BPM

• How to establish process ownership and effective governance

• Process intelligence and the role of the iBPMS

Attend Clare Bradley’s Case Study on Atkins’s BPM Solution

View full agenda here

Email angelab@pnmsoft.com to get your discount code today.

Aspire, Challenge, Transform. The Gartner Business Process Management Summit is designed specifically for business and IT leaders tasked with making business processes smarter, more agile and better able to respond to constantly changing business dynamics. This Gartner BPM summit is the most comprehensive BPM conference in Europe, offering forward-thinking, trusted independent advice and actionable recommendations for driving real business transformation.
Meet us there to discuss your company’s Intelligent BPM future.

We look forward to seeing you in London!

Jim Sinur states that, “…disparate processes and platforms were unified on the iBPMS, and thereby the resultant organization had one platform on which to manage its standardized, processes…This organization is now in a better position to roll out new products faster with great coordination and harmony amongst the moving parts.” Read Jim Sinur’s Full Blog Post.

We’re proud to be part of a business transformation of this magnitude, and it’s an honour to be recognised by one of the industry’s leading analysts.

Discover Cloud BPM…

PNMsoft is proud to be sponsoring Cloud Expo Europe in London (National Hall Olympia), January 29-30. Cloud Expo Europe represents the fast-paced, dynamic and ever changing cloud computing industry; its conference content and show features continually evolve to mirror the needs of the cloud industry and those businesses implementing the latest cloud technologies. PNMsoft offers SaaS BPM solutions over the Cloud (learn more) and we welcome you to join us at Cloud Expo Europe at booth 611, to discuss your company’s Intelligent BPM future in the cloud.

About Cloud Expo Europe

Cloud Expo Europe (click to register) is the single most important event for business and public sector organisations – big or small wanting to unlock the potential of cloud computing.

Cloud Expo Europe 2013 offers a world-class conference programme, with 9 streams and 8 dedicated theatres, including top industry CTOs, important analysts and over 50 case studies. It’s the biggest gathering of thought leaders and practitioners in Europe.

Learn from world-class speakers including: IT Director – Unilever, Head of Technology – Met Office, Head of Architecture Solutions and Innovation – William Morrison’s Supermarkets, Co-founder & CEO – Bromium, Senior Researcher – CSC’s Leading Edge Forum, Cloud Architect – ebay, Founder & CEO – Nebula, Founder & CEO – Opscode, CTO – Terremark, Head of Software Development – Financial Times.

The show also delivers practical “how to” advice from over 150 leading international suppliers – many appearing for the first time in Europe!

Complete the form below to schedule a free BPM workshop with us at Cloud Expo Europe:

Companies and Markets predicts that the global BPM software market revenues will rise from $2.6 billion in 2011 to $7 billion by 2018. Since the release of Sequence Kinetics, PNMsoft has enjoyed a growth rate far higher than the general market.

James Luxford, Global Head of Product, explained that PNMsoft is the “smartphone” of BPM suites. “When you purchase a new phone, do you buy a classic model, or a smartphone? The answer is obvious – the smartphone. Among BPM software products, Sequence Kinetics is one of the only Microsoft-based BPM products classified by analysts as an Intelligent BPM suite, and the only one with HotChange™ technology. That means it includes features like mobility, social collaboration and intelligent analytics which other products simply can’t offer.”

PNMsoft is one of 13 vendors on Gartner’s iBPMS Magic Quadrant for 2012. PNMsoft CEO Gal Horvitz said that, “Gartner recommends that, “all organisations should factor iBPMS into their BPM planning horizon”, so it’s not surprising that companies are turning to us, the leading Microsoft-based provider of iBPMS software, to take their business process applications to the next level. We welcome our new customers to the PNMsoft family, and into a world of collaboration, optimisation and excellence.”

About PNMsoft

At PNMsoft we believe IT professionals can be the driving force in any organisation’s success. Using unique HotChange™ technology, Sequence Kinetics™ is an Intelligent BPM Suite that enables rapid build and change of high availability, mobile enabled workflow applications, while maintaining development lifecycle governance. Sequence Kinetics extends Microsoft platforms like SharePoint, Dynamics and Azure and provides unparalleled mobile and social collaboration capabilities. PNMsoft is a multinational company with headquarters in the UK and a global network of business partners. PNMsoft is on Gartner’s iBPMS Magic Quadrant for 2012, is recognised by IDC as a BPM Major Player, and is a Microsoft Gold ISV.

Click to try Sequence Kinetics™ Today !

For more information, contact Paul Sheridan: pauls@pnmsoft.com , + 44 (0)192 381 3420

London, UK, Dec. 14, 2012 Clare Bradley, Principal Consultant for Atkins, one of the world’s leading engineering and design consultancies, presented a Case Study at the Ovum Business Process Management Event (London, Nov. 15,  2012). Atkins selected PNMsoft’s Sequence to implement a Service Delivery process to evaluate, manage and record opportunities and projects.

This complex solution required:

• The creation of over 100 online forms and 300 activities.
• Integration with existing systems.
• A single interface for users to view their own opportunities, projects and outstanding actions.

Clare Bradley said that “Sequence was selected for ease of use, agility, and ability to deploy changes quickly and easily to the production environment.”

Please complete the form below to read the full case study.