DEMO Based Dynamic Information System Modeller and Executer (DISME)
DISME (Dynamic Information System Modeler and Executer) is a tool that allows the representation of process models, workflows, responsibilities, interfaces, facts and information ontology, roles, organizational functions and associated agents. These models can run directly as an information system with the inherent workflow running dynamically and notifications being automatically sent to the users. Automatic integration with other existing systems in the organizational environment is also envisaged. The modeling and parameterization of all the elements mentioned above are performed with intuitive menus and forms, where the need for programming is very small or practically non-existent.
The solution to be developed follows the principles of innovative computer trends such as Software as a Service, Direct Model Execution, Model-Driven Software Engineering, and Automatic Code Generation, which aim to make organizations increasingly independent of programmers or software companies, so to be able to change and evolve their portfolio of software processes and applications with greater flexibility and agility. For example, instead of having to ask a programmer or software vendor to change some aspect of the information system (such as adding an additional field to a form, or introduce a new task in the process with a new form), anyone duly authorized and without any programming skills (e.g., the director of the department) can access the system administration menu and easily add the new field or task by filling in a few details. When the change is made and/or approved, the system immediately adopts the new setup.
The innovative and differentiating factor of the solution being developed, when compared to those in the market, is that it is based on models and techniques specific to the enterprise engineering discipline, which allow a more comprehensive, flexible and informed capture of processes and organizational reality when compared to the traditional requirements engineering approaches. The tool is built in opensource and it is licensed for free.
The DISME implementation has three main functionalities: (1) the Diagram Editor to create and view DEMO models; (2) the System Modeller to continuously adapt the tool to the needs of the organization where it is being implemented; and (3) the System Execution that allows its implementation.
In the System Execution users that have acquired permissions to take part in the transactions do so according to their roles, following DEMO’s transaction pattern.
The development of the database behind the software was heavily influenced by the DEMO way of thinking, trying to capture the essence of an organization workflow, but without abstracting their infological and datalogical content. Instead, the approach was, while not being tied to either, cater to their current need “to be” and provide as well as possible the tools to support their existence and facilitate their integrations, while maintaining the ability for them to change and to adapt to these changes. With this, the goal was to keep the platform as flexible as possible in terms of editing possibilities.