Capabilities

Shared process repository for Microsoft Office & Visio content

Uniquely, the iServer Process Repository contains not just re-usable process components (Visio shapes and objects) but also documents, deliverables and document components; a useful requirement when creating a process environment. Unlike other process tools, models and documents stored in iServer remain in their original office format so content never needs to undergo a painful export or conversion process to bring into or out of the iServer environment.

Building views & viewpoints

Custom-views can be created in minutes to ensure that the artifacts and deliverables satisfy the viewpoints of your stakeholders. Additional information can be built into the views to provide instructions and guidance in creation of the view or its purpose.

Flexibility to define your own modeling language

iServer is truly extensible. Any Visio stencil can be deployed instantly as a new modelling standard, whether it is a custom stencil specific to an organization, an industry sector DSL (domain specific language), 3rd party stencil, or an industry modeling standard such as BPMN (Business Process Modeling Notation). Unlike many other tools, there is no complex coding or consultancy driven changes needed, just a simple upload into the iServer Repository.

Extensible meta-data

Organizations can quickly and easily define their own meta-data requirements for anything in the iServer process repository, including project folders, models, model components (such as activities or roles), or documents (such as extended process descriptions, policies or work instructions).

Customisable meta-model

Most organisations need to create their own meta-model or modify an industry standard version to suit their organizational needs. iServer provides a fully extensible Meta-model within which object types, their relationships and the rules governing how your process, system, organisation and technology components are related can be set.

Importing data, synchronizing information & converting from other tools

Process data created in other modelling tools, Excel spreadsheets or mastered in other systems can be imported into or synchronized with iServer using the Data Exchange capability. This ensures the fast-start of process initiatives with no loss of data and the guaranteed integrity of the information used in the process environment over the longer term.

Dependency tracking & 'what if' analysis

Interdependency tracking is available within the iServer Process Repository and is used to assess and plan the effect of change, not just between modeling objects (activities, roles systems etc.), but also between models, modeling objects, documents and document components (Word bookmarks). This allows 'what-if; analysis to be performed against items such requirements, objectives and goals usually held as text in Word documents.

Windows Explorer style document & model structure

As iServer's Windows Explorer style document and model structure will be familiar to most users, finding and managing information is incredibly easy. Organizations can define a default structure within which to organize their processes or can use any standard process classification structure such as APQC. Multiple alternate views can be created so information is accessed in the most appropriate way for the specific stakeholders around the business.

Managing 'to-be' process scenarios

Multiple process scenarios can be stored a single iServer Repository. Each possible 'to-be' scenario is segmented but managed within a single source so that queries and Gap Analysis comparisons can be used to understand and track variances, and dependencies established between the various scenarios as necessary.

Permissions

Controls can be implemented to restrict access and editing of Process information by users of both the iServer Process Repository and the iServer Portal. Profiles can be created to allow approvers to 'lock' specific processes once content has reached a specific sign-off point or a critical mass of acceptance.

Change management

Documents, models and individual activities (or any modeling component) can be 'tagged' for review and approval as they move through the approval lifecycle. Improvement suggestions, optimization opportunities, general issues, comments, change request etc. can be generated by analysts and business users alike, either online or in the Process Repository editing suite. They can be assigned to users for review and resolution, with notification and comment services to help move an issue through to resolution. Full version history is provided for models, documents, and modeling components with comprehensive roll-back, purge and recovery facilities.

Search & filtering

Extensive search and filtering capabilities are provided within the Process Repository which allows users to create views of the process data for export to Excel for further analysis or publication. This facility includes the ability to use meta-data as repository filters. Publishing & Browser Access to the Process Repository

iServer has two options for sharing content with the wider business. HTML Publisher creates time-based static views of Process content with Portal providing live access to 'real-time' repository data. Both options provide business users with a simple way to navigate through the content, search for data, follow dependency threads, access reports and feedback on the quality and value of the processes produced.

Reporting & matrices

Matrices showing Process to Organization, Application Interfaces, RACI, CRUD and any other object relationship view can be generated from within iServer. Once produced, matrices can be exported to Excel for further analysis or be saved back into iServer and made available to business users via Portal or Publisher. A series of Report Packs provide for the fast production of standard process deliverables, analysis information and documentation, but the Reporting Database provides organizations with a facility to write their own custom reports and queries as needed.