Integrating BRMS and Web Services to Streamline Back-Office Operations

Abstract

Recently, the automation of routine tasks using Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has received much attention. In a narrow sense, RPA means a mechanism that automates routine works by recording software operations across multiple applications on a PC. In a broad sense, RPA covers the automation of non-routine tasks and decision-making using AI technologies. Although various applications are created and verified based on business rules in back-office operations, it is difficult to automate such tasks only with RPA in a narrow sense. To streamline back-office operations based on the business rules, we propose a support system for creating application forms by integrating Business Rules Management System (BRMS) and Web services. This research is a new attempt to introduce BRMS and Web service integration into RPA in a broad sense. As a case study, we built business rules on BRMS for travel expense applications in a university and implemented a travel expense application support system. Applicants and recipients of the travel expense applications evaluated the proposed system, and we confirmed the effectiveness of the system.