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Technical Guidance on Process Technology

By: Terry Schurter
Format: White Paper
Published: July 2006

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At Bloor Research, we see process architecture as the sum of many parts including the new, the old, the revised and the newly utilised. We further see that process applies (at one level or another) to virtually every business of any size in every market. Process has become a critical factor in successful operation of business—making selection and application of process-centric technology eminently important.

Process technology (or products) rests within the broader concept of process architecture (the application of multiple process products under an overall process-centric design). Process architecture is very important because it aligns technology products (applications) and technology practices with business goals and business practices. External market forces are continuing to accelerate the need for process technologies. Everything is changing—faster and faster… and faster. New, voracious competitors are appearing in many markets almost overnight. Competitors are global. Partners are fickle. Executing on existing business models is leading many corporations into bankruptcy— even some of the big boys (look at the US airline industry). Innovation, creativity, agility, flexibility, optimisation and delivery on strategic objectives are the requirements of survival. These are evolutionary market forces, and as such, must be dealt with now and into the future. Process technologies are an important part of the now while process architecture goes a long way in addressing the needs of the future.

The current market overview for process technologies is strong, with vendors experiencing double-digit growth in many sectors. Process technology buying trends are being driven on a micro level by the proliferation of strong ROI from targeted projects and on a macro level by the up swell in adoption of business process practices by senior, executive and professional business staff. The buyer market is a strong mix of people from both business and technology roles within end-user organisations.

The business and technology market drivers in process are a unique situation. Because both business people and technologists are focused on what is effectively the same goal, the traditional gap between these groups is much narrower. The opportunity now exists for business and technology to share the same goals and to work together in harmony to achieve success against these goals—and process architecture is a key enabler in this regard.

To achieve this requires a common understanding of process architecture for both the business user and the technology user.