Posted on Fri, Jan 29, 2010 @ 12:57 PM
How Process Improvement Enables Data Flow in Your Hospital
Upcoming webcast featuring Jennifer Covich Bordenick, CEO at eHealth Initiative and J. Brian Patsy, President and CEO of Streamline Health will highlight and discuss the ways that process automation manages information and data sharing between multiple, non communicating systems.
The quality of healthcare and patient safety has the potential to improve greatly by connecting different technology systems so they can easily and seamlessly exchange information. Health Information Technology plays a vital role in delivering quality patient experiences and improving the efficiencies within a hospital.
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Other topics include:
- Greatest challenges faced by hospitals today as it pertains to Health Information Technology systems
- How connecting technology systems within a hospital can lead to operational efficiencies, reduced costs, and error avoidance
- Where Process Improvement fits into the hospital system infrastructure and optimal deployment
- Practical applications of process improvement solutions across hospitals
- Best practices and successful strategies for implementing technology solutions in hospitals
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You are invited to attend the webcast "5 Ways to Improve Quality by Connecting Technology Systems -How Process Improvement Enables Data Flow in Your Hospital" to learn from the experts how Process improvement can fill in the gaps and be the glue to connect your disconnected healthcare systems.
DATE: Thursday, February 4, 2010
TIME: 11 am EST
COST: FREE
To register, click here.
All registered attendees will receive a free copy of the video webcast.
Relevant Links:
BPM, the "Glue" Connecting Disparate Systems
Expanding Business Process Communications Outside Your Office
Mary Katherine Strupe
Marketing Coordinator
Ultimus
Posted on Thu, Jan 28, 2010 @ 08:13 AM
I have learned after 10 years in the BPM space that BPM means different things to different people. The varying definitions and wants of BPM come from the fact that different people have different needs for BPM. While it is true the core value proposition for BPM traverses industry verticals and spans all companies, small to large, BPM solutions look and feel differently across companies.
This point is emphasized when you start to consider "out of the box" BPM Suite implementations compared to BPM solutions that are coupled or embedded in other solution applications. 90+% of the interaction and usage of a BPM Suite come from client and form users. To this point, if a BPM solution fails to be adopted by the user community, then over time the ROI of that solution becomes limited (if you're lucky....if not then it becomes dreaded shelf-ware).
Technology partners and Application Solution Providers have specific expertise in creating and deploying rich applications for specific industries focusing on specific use cases. User interfaces in these applications leverage industry vernacular and cater to the specific work-styles of application users. Examples of this include:
- Healthcare applications include numerous data fields that are unique to the healthcare industry
- Call center application users mainly use the keyboard for all data entry as opposed to navigating through a form using the mouse
- Sales application users, who spend the majority of their time out of the office, require web based applications compatible for mobile device usage
Many applications today offer workflow components as an extension of the core application. While orchestrating data and tasks within the application may be serviced by this extended workflow component, it is often the case that multiple applications need to be bridged together to ensure data is consistent throughout all of the company's applications. A BPM Suite provides the best value to technology partners by integrating customized front end solutions with data and process orchestration in the background.
Two vital components of business processes must be shared as the business processes execute: the business data in the business process and the metadata of the process itself. For example, if a new credit card application process is started on Monday, 9am US EST, the following information may potentially need to be exposed for use in other applications:
A BPM Suite must have interfaces to allow business process data and process metadata to be accessed easily, quickly, and in native data formats (non-proprietary). Some of these interfaces may be extensions of the BPM Suite itself and some may be interfaces with common existing applications. Examples include:
- Open documented interfaces to the BPM Server / Engine components giving access to business data and engine events (as shown above)
- Integrations to Microsoft SharePoint for document management and security (where documents created through BPMS activity are saved and shared)
- Integrations to email servers and services where notifications from the BPM Server can be customized to include business process data
While "Out of the Box" functionality provides for rapid process deployment, having open and extendable interfaces provides the ability for a BPM Suite to "fill in the gaps" of a company's existing IT application suite. A BPM Suite certainly can serve as the backbone of a company's IT portfolio, but it should not be the case that is HAS TO.
Relevant Links:
Business Process Efficiency Driven by Data Integrity
Dynamic and Flexible Routing in Business Processes: Unstructured Processes
Flexibility in a BPMS is Essential
Chris Adams
VP Product and Technology
Ultimus
Posted on Fri, Jan 22, 2010 @ 02:58 PM
Often times I find that many people approach business process management and process automation with a closed mind. They simply fail to see the possibilities that are attainable with process automation. For example, just the other day I was speaking with a friend about work and the subject got turned to contract management. He perked up when I told him that Process Automation software is a valuable tool for contract management processes. As we talked more in detail it was like it suddenly clicked- processes- anything with a series of steps, anything that requires the transfer of information and/or work, anything that involves multiple users or systems - is a prime candidate for improvement and automation.
Process Automation Software is an improvement and management solution that helps internal processes run smoother and faster. It focuses on empowering process participants and executives with tools they need to get the job done more efficiently, including such things as:
- Alerts and notifications- let you know when something is coming due, needs to be approved or requires your attention
- Task redirection- promoting business agility and the prevention bottlenecks
- iBAM or Interactive Business Monitoring- allows IT and business executives to create and visually monitor key performance indicators of their choice in real time
- Reports- generate reports from a web-based module that allows the design, generation, and access of reports securely from virtually anywhere over the Internet, giving executives and participants visibility into every aspect of the workflow
- Systems communication and integration- takes you from multiple applications, systems or screens to 1 easy-to-use interface that connects and shares information with various software solutions and legacy systems
More importantly, Process Automation is a flexible and adaptable tool that can be molded and applied to virtually any role or industry, making it one of the most valuable tools you business can use. In terms of Contract Management, Process Automation software enables you to:
- Prepare, review and negotiate contracts quickly and easily
- Submit forms and contracts for approval
- Track progress and report contract status in real time
- Integrate and auto-populate finance and other key systems with pertinent information and data
- Archive contracts for future reference
- Reduce errors due to manual input and eliminate duplication of efforts
At a time when there is so much change in the world, it's nice to have control and insight into your core business processes and to be able to identify ways to make them better and stronger. Don't just take my word for it. See how others have been successful with process automation.
Relevant links:
Business Processes: Recognizing You Need Business Process Improvements
Reduce Process Rework with Role Definition in Organizational Charts
Expanding Business Process Communications Outside Your Office
Mitigate Risk by Modeling Your Business Processes
Mary Katherine Strupe
Marketing Coordinator
Ultimus
Posted on Wed, Jan 13, 2010 @ 09:19 AM
Recently I was speaking with a Process Improvement Director, at one point in our conversation a connection happened, he said "oh, you can eliminate the black screen". Being in charge of Process Improvement he had seen a great deal of automation and the benefits it provides but he had also realized that the more he automated the more systems he had to report on, learn and use on a daily basis. So, eliminating the black screen (i.e. having to switch from application, to application) rung clear with him.
It makes me wonder how many organizations out there are switching from system to database to another system only to find a great deal of the same information.
Imagine having everything in one place; imagine not having to use multiple channels to update or access certain pieces of information; imagine having all of your current business applications and systems at your finger tips. Sound nice? We think so. The ability to integrate multiple systems is one of the many benefits of a Business Process Management Suite (BPMS).
BPMS's streamline all aspects of an organization to promote process efficiency and effectiveness. This entails serving as a platform that connects and links multiple systems that may not otherwise communicate with each other. What does this mean for process participants?
- Less computer screens to look at
- Fewer systems and business applications to login into
- Technologies that communicate with each other, sharing vital information and data
- Less manual data entry, and thus, less human error
Integrating with legacy systems, operational systems, databases, and business applications, a comprehensive BPMS delivers fluid system networking capabilities to help your company increase productivity and reduce costs associated with rework.
Nicole Contardo
Marketing Director
Ultimus
Posted on Fri, Jan 08, 2010 @ 08:37 AM
Why Strong Companies Use Process Automation
2009 was a rough year for many organizations. As the economy struggles to recover and businesses continue to grasp for survival there are a few things to consider for 2010. Over the years we have seen struggling companies evolve into successful, stable organizations by simply implementing process automation to help with the economic climate and changes. Some of the benefits they have seen as a result that have enabled their continuous growth include:
1. Higher agility: Process Automation enables companies to dynamically involve appropriate resources, driving speed
of execution, and enables them to to customer and market requirements faster than the competition.
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2. Reduced Expenditures: Improving and optimizing automated processes enables companies to be more efficient by identifying and eliminating waste and bottlenecks that don't add value.
3. Greater visibility: Transforming manual, paper-based processes into electronic, automated processes enables companies to record, monitor and measure every activity within a business process effortlessly. This drives accountability and transparency into the organization, highlighting improvement opportunities.
4. Operational Excellence: Process Improvement reduces the unit cost to execute a transaction by streamlining business processes and allowing companies to better orchestrate resources, increasing productivity and revenues. Notifications naming responsible process users increase visibility and drive employee performance. |
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5. Better Control for Improved Customer Service: Process Automation Software standardizes working methods and
provides audit trails improving managerial control. Improved work consistency and control results in better customer
service.
Implementing a strong foundation with Process Automation Software provides for complete lifecycle management of business processes, facilitates integration across technologies, and imbeds efficiency among people, processes, and technologies. As we move into the New Year, process improvement is proving to be a more valuable asset than ever before.
Mary Katherine Strupe
Marketing Coordinator
Ultimus
Posted on Tue, Dec 22, 2009 @ 03:59 PM
10. Christmas shopping is a pain; something in your life should be easy and stress free.
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9. Eliminate process bottlenecks- Think about how much nicer it would be if you
didn't spend half your day waiting on someone else to complete a task or deliver
something.
8. With all the extra time in your day, think of how many more Christmas cookies
you could bake!!
7. Save yourself the headache of manual, paper-based processes... (You're going to
need that energy for the in-laws.) |
6. With all the paper you'll save from your old processes, craft cute holiday cards!
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5. The elves have worked so hard to create electronic automated forms for
you; the least you can do is make them feel loved and needed.
4. Process Automation connects disparate systems, so you don't have to!
3. Rules and Alerts in Process Automation Software let you know when something is
coming due, for example if more eggnog needs to be spiked, or if it's time to buy
more rum.
2. Everyone loves presents that make life easier! |
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1. Process Automation helps you do more with less, so spend more time with friends and less time behind the desk!
Posted on Fri, Dec 18, 2009 @ 03:56 PM
The BPM market is expected to increase at a compounded annual growth rate of 15% over the next four years, according to the IDC; however, IBM's announcement on Wednesday of their acquisition of Lombardi Software is a clear indicator of the economic struggles and the hardships of some of the venture-owned firms. Lombardi will become part of IBM's WebSphere team, adding to the company's already very similar and numerous product offerings.
In first reactions of Neil Ward-Dutton, a MWD and IT Analyst, it was noted that while there is almost a 100% product overlap, what's more is how the "design philosophy of Lombardi's offering is almost diametrically opposed to that of IBM's offering". How the two products will merge to create a sensible, robust portfolio is unclear, unless plans are in place to maintain each product separately and support different approaches to process management; Lombardi being geared towards human centric process management and a departmental focus, and IBM's WebSphere focused on systems centric process management. Even that approach becomes clouded as Bruce Silver commented in his response to the IBM briefing: "BPM involves process (Websphere), information (FileNet), and people (Lombardi). Now we have a separate BPMS for each of those. Isn't that great? Ummm, no."
Supporting multiple BPM approaches that rely on integration can be a daunting task and certainly requires a high level of maintenance. What can prove to be more frustrating is the actual road to achieving complete integration between the various BPM suites and technology platforms. Often with multiple offerings and stacks, more questions arise than answers, and the value is lost in the complexity of an IT-controlled environment.
As the acquisition follows through and IBM begins to absorb Lombardi, challenges may arise in producing and growing new value to customers and prospects. It will be interesting to see how much of Lombardi's BPM offering becomes assimilated into IBM's stack, and how much this assimilation brings rigidity to the "smaller company" mentality. Smaller companies do have conveniences that larger companies do not, such as higher levels of intimacy with customers and more flexibility in product road-mapping changes. Moreover, from a BPM value proposition, one more wonder if the larger company product mentality of "enterprise" becomes more of the overriding theme with Lombardi's products in the future (compared to emphasizing the departmental-level approach).
Chris Adams
VP Product and Technology
Ultimus
Posted on Wed, Dec 16, 2009 @ 03:26 PM
Attending the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) National Forum on Quality Improvement in Healthcare, I learned firsthand that having multiple, non-communicating systems is a huge challenge for hospitals. Of the numerous attendees with whom I spoke, the number one complaint was "too much data re-entry into too many disconnected systems". What hospitals appear to be lacking is the "glue" that can hold disparate systems together facilitating integration and communication.
As with any business, hospitals and healthcare facilities often identify specific departmental problems that can be quickly and easily solved with a relatively inexpensive point solution. For example, an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) System can serve as a database containing all of a patient's medical history. While an application like this successfully meets the needs for capturing patient information and eliminating paper-based records and forms, it may fail to integrate with other hospital systems revealing problems such as :
- The inability to transfer the correct patient data throughout departments
- Notify physicians of up-to-date medical information from another system
- Accurately report medication information
- Display proper medical history
Although EMR applications are vital for HIT, you need the "glue" that connects all of your healthcare systems. If a patient's information only has to be entered one time, you significantly reduce your chances of entering incorrect information and increase the level of quality care you can provide to each patient.
This is where Business Process Management (BPM) becomes an important resource. BPM is the "glue" that connects systems allowing for seamless integration and communication. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides guidelines and incentives to practices committed to developing a national network of medical information interoperability based on a national Electronic Health Record Systems (EHR-S). This begs for a technology platform that integrates systems, organizes data across those systems, and optimizes EMRs to ensure they work together efficiently. These needs are exactly in line with a quality Business Process Management Suite (BPMS). Where BPM can add value to the EMR is:
- Analyze and improve critical patient safety processes
- Coordination of information across systems
- Integration of information across Healthcare Providers
- Simple to use, web based, use from anywhere
- Instant feedback and approval within processes
- Assists in maintaining compliance
Consider the following depiction of how a BPMS can bridge together health care administrators as well as EMR systems:
With this type of systems architecture, Healthcare Providers will continue to utilize the EMR systems that they are accustomed to today, but BPMS works to coordinate information across those systems, unify task lists, and integrate data across the applications.
Relevant links:
Reduce Process Rework with Role Definition in Organizational Charts
Security in BPM Suites Can Remedy Security Breaches in Paper based Medical Records
Lean Healthcare?
Business Processes: Recognizing You Need Business Process Improvements
Mary Katherine Strupe
Marketing Coordinator
Ultimus
Posted on Fri, Dec 11, 2009 @ 03:18 PM
So your company has identified BPA / BPM as a key initiative for the coming new year and you have been identified as the "process champion" to evaluate the applications and suites available. The majority of BPA and BPM vendors today offer free downloads or time trial installations (web or on-premise) of their process modeling applications. It is certainly convenient and helpful that so many BPA / BPM applications can be obtained (sometimes without even completing a registration form). But do you really know what to evaluate in these tools? Do you have enough insight to be able to discern what really differentiates these tools?
From a technology perspective, all tools inside and outside of the BPA / BPM spaces promote themselves as "easy to use" and having "drag and drop" capabilities. Arguably, if the tool you are evaluating right now does not have either of these capabilities, then why are you even evaluating it? Moreover, many of the process modeling and automation tools can perform similar functions and include the fundamental basics of process mapping.
What differentiates the seasoned BPA / BPM vendor's process modeling and automation suites from software companies who just happen to offer process tools is their ability to guide the user through successfully creating, modeling, and executing processes. You already have too much to do with your day to day job. If you have to take time out of your day to learn a new application bottom-up, then you run the risk of not properly understanding the benefits the tool offers, while also getting behind in routine activities. When evaluating the new BPA / BPM tool, you should not have to ask yourself questions like:
- How do I get started with the tool?
- What is it that I am really striving to accomplish with the tool?
- What are the basics of process mapping and process modeling?
- Am I using the tool the way it is intended?
Ultimus' new Process Designer Test Drive solves all of the headaches of classic software evaluation. Aside from overcoming the frustrations of installing unknown software on your machine, Ultimus' hosted process modeling environment provides the latest Web 2.0 features and functions to guide you through success with process modeling. Video led instructions, rich and graphic driven step-by-step help, and pre-loaded processes samples and modeling data allows you to see process modeling success right before your eyes.
As an additional benefit, you have access to one of Ultimus' own Process Experts who can assist you one-on-one in your own personal hosted environment to build and model the processes pertinent to your own industry. Ultimus provides numerous process templates in the Health Care industry, and Ultimus' "Patient Scheduling" process is one example of many processes that are available today to be modeled and tested in Ultimus' Process Designer hosted environment.
Have you been frustrated with downloading and evaluating new process modeling tools in the past? Even after installing the new tool, were you even sure you were taking full advantage of the tool's capabilities?
Relevant Links:
Mitigate Risk by Modeling Your Business Processes
Getting Started with Process Modeling
Business Processes: Recognizing You Need Business Process Improvements
Ultimus Is Excited To See Process Modeling Usage Growing
Chris Adams
VP Product and Technology
Ultimus
Posted on Thu, Dec 03, 2009 @ 03:10 PM
Business process efficiency is often described as executing your business processes quickly from start to finish. Understanding process efficiency is to understand what is involved in executing each step in the business process itself.
Users participate in business processes via web based forms by reviewing and inputting data in the forms. Most business processes have some required data inorder to ensure the processes flow correctly from step to step. Ensuring the process participants are able to navigate and use the process forms as quickly as possible drives process efficiency. From a bottom up approach, inspecting the data input and user interface (UI) interaction can reveal undiscovered process inefficiencies.
Consider the following possibilities:
- Data collected in a process step is inputted but not checked and verified. The step is submitted and forwarded with incomplete data....only then to be returned because of the incomplete state of the data.
- Vital data fields in the web form, such as Part Numbers or PO Numbers, are keyed in manually (introducing human error potential) rather than chosen from automatically populated pick lists.
- Tasks, where required data is hard to find, are pushed aside and selectively not worked on (while "easier" process tasks take priority).
- Attachments vital to the process itself, for example enrollment applications for Credit Cards, are not attached to a step in the process.
In each of these cases, having a powerful but easy to use form
design tool obviates and overcomes each of these trouble scenarios. Providing intuitive and rich form UI experiences ensures greater process adoption with your process participants and streamlines process efficiency. A quality forms design tool should include functions such as:
It is essential to design easy-to-use and efficient user interfaces for your business processes. Cumbersome and unintuitive user interfaces results in slow process time, more expensive day-to-day operations, and ultimately dissatisfaction for your process participants.
Relevant Links:
Expanding Business Process Communications Outside Your Office
Building Your Ultimus V8 Process Library Quickly: Reusable Process Libraries
Avoid Investing in Workflow in Non-Workflow Applications
Controlling Process "Rework" with Lean Six Sigma Practices
Chris Adams
VP Product and Technology
Ultimus