Distributed model management platform for cross-enterprise business process management in virtual enterprise networks

Virtual enterprise network planning and design lead to complex challenges. From a conceptual point of view, business processes have proven to be ideal design items in conjunction with the use of graphical methods and tools. Especially for network design and implementation, business process modelling serves as the fundamental starting point. However, existing tools for Business Process Management do not provide support for Virtual Enterprise network design and implementation sufficiently. Thus in the article, the authors depict a modelling approach dedicated to a global and a local description of business processes and a distributed model management platform. The latter supports the collaborative creation and application of models in network environments.