Business Logic Automation
The basis for key business decisions is the logic – the rules, calculations
and workflow – that underlies core business processes. InRule helps our customers
by letting business users author and maintain core business logic, without the expensive,
iterative back and forth between analysts and developers at the application code
level — in other words: Business Logic Automation.
What’s Needed?
Navigation and Visualization
Business logic automation requires that authors are able to navigate to a body of
business logic and understand what it means.
Creation and Modification
Business logic creation and modification are done through an authoring tool which
provides business oriented navigation and visualization features.
Verification
Effectively creating business logic requires more than just editing rules and calculations.
It requires a rich feedback loop that the author can use to verify that what was
created in fact represents their intent.
Distribution
Business logic changes need to find their way from the author to the runtime environment.
Business logic automation requires a distribution mechanism that supports migration
to production through staging and quality control.
Invocation
Business logic defined by the author must be integrated securely into the runtime
environment.
Business logic automation is about putting people in control with applications that
are built for change. Knowing that change is coming and knowing what a change will
be are two different things. Most of us know that it will rain at some point in
the next month. What we don't know is exactly when. How can this be automated? Should
we wait until it is raining to go to the store and purchase an umbrella? Or do we
carry an umbrella with us in case we need it? The latter is a more automated response
model for reacting to changes in the weather.
Automation requires planning for change and the respective transaction costs associated
with reacting to it. In many respects, going to development every time a predictable
business requirement change occurs is like going to the store for an umbrella every
time it rains. We might not know what the interest rate will be in six months, but
we do know it will change at some point, and building a solution that minimizes
the transaction cost of making the required software change is what business logic
automation is all about.
Business logic automation puts business users at the helm of application business
logic, without the expensive iterative back and forth between analysts and developers.
Many business logic implementations today operate via a human-intensive process
which is plagued with handoffs and expensive iterations of trial and error. Automating
business logic addresses these difficulties through a series of tools and services
tailored to each activity in the business logic life cycle.
Next: Let Business Users Change Business Rules - Business
Decision Management
