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Introduction

These pages describe Groupmax Enterprise Version 5 in detail.
The contents described are as follows.

• Concept
• Features

### Concept ###

In corporate information systems up to now, groupware and workflow have been introduced in order to prepare the communication infrastructure, and also platform systems have been constructed using business applications such as SFA (Sales Force Automation), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and SCM (Supply Chain Management).
The coming days will see demand for solutions that integrate information resources in cooperation with these platform systems and make strategic use of information.
This new product "Groupmax Enterprise Version 5" contains functional enhancements and new products for supporting the provision of solutions, and more powerful "system installation and operation" functions that support new architecture and operation. The improvements are based on the two concepts of "enterprise business solutions" and "value collaboration". The goal is to achieve organic integration of business application systems and communication infrastructure.
"Enterprise business solutions" is a concept aimed at the systematic utilization of information. It establishes business reforms that flow through the entire corporation or organization, and also a corporate-wide information infrastructure that organically integrates the platform systems with other systems.
"Value collaboration" is a concept aimed at the creation of new values. It establishes a system for effectively utilizing knowledge and know-how possessed by businessmen, which could not be systematized up to now, based on prompt sharing and exchange of fresh information.
With "Groupmax Enterprise Version 5", we think that it is important to offer a total solution, which includes system installation and operation, based on these concepts.
When offering a solution, we increase the staff that provide support service, which includes the Groupmax Technical Support Center, and provide total support ranging from system consultation, through system construction, operation and training, to system maintenance.

### Features ###

(1) Enterprise business solution

• We support an inter-domain business process link function that realizes the construction of large-scale workflow systems. (A scale of 100,000 persons is possible.) This function was achieved based on a protocol (MfMC Interface 4 MIME Binding 1.1, hereafter abbreviated to IF4) covered by WfMC (workflow international standardization body). (Figs.1 and 2)
• The cluster support function (fail-over), which is indispensable for continuous operation of a server, is achieved on two platforms, Windows NT and HP-UX.
• In order to support the construction, and so on, of a workflow system based on XML (Extensible Markup Language), we offer library products that permit XML import/export with the Groupmax system.
• We offer a comprehensive solution service, based on the enhancement of basic functions, that includes the provision of solutions linked to SFA packages such as "AurumFrontOffice", link-up with ERP packages such as "R/3 (R)" and the Hitachi inter-corporation business media service "TWX-21" provided by us, and the provision of a business package that is intended to be linked with Hitachi*s retail business information system "HITRMD".

Fig.1: Workflow inter-domain business process link (Note: WF is an abbreviation for Workflow.)

Fig.2: Difference between a workflow multi-server configuration and an inter-domain business process link

Multi-server configuration concept drawing *1: Source *2: Application *3: Judgement One business process definition is processed one part at a time by multiple servers in the domain. What server handles what part depends upon the workflow home server definition for each processing user. Business process link concept drawing *1: Source *2: Application *3: Judgement *4: First Process *5: Second Process It is possible to link multiple business process definitions operated by each domain. In order to define each business process definition, it is necessary that each domain be closed. A multi-server configuration can also exist in each domain. In the case of an operation monitor, if you wish to view the conditions of a link destination business process definition, you must change the connection destination domain.

(2) Value collaboration

• Enhances the basic functions of the groupware.
  IMAP4 and S/MIME are supported by a mail server, and you can view your own schedule in an off-line environment.
• We provide a new Web client system with improved operability.
  We have completely changed the design, and greatly improved operability. (See Fig.3.)
• We offer the following new products that support knowledge management.

  - "Business promotion know-how sharing function (Taskcoordinate)" that is based on a new way of thinking: This function goes past mere information saving, and is intended to achieve accumulation and re-utilization of business know-how.

  - Web-based Teaching support function (Groupmax Performance Support Solution) that is intended for teaching PC operations or languages, etc., over a network

  - Electronic conference room (IntraForum) which features the ability to compile reports on conference room discussions, display statistics, and so on.

Fig.3: WWW-linked integration work environment

(3) System installation and operation

• Enhances the Server setup wizard function, which sets the environment of the Groupmax server program, starts the program, and also changes the configuration, in a single operation.
• We offer the Operation history and server condition information provision function which enables the operating conditions of a mail server to be monitored visually by means of graphs.
• We also offer the Visual user management function, which permits management of Groupmax users by intuitive operations such as drag-and-drop.