# Introduction & Getting Started

## Table of Contents

1. [Introduction](#introduction)
2. [What is Business Process Management?](#what-is-business-process-management)
3. [Key Differences from Low-Code Platforms](#key-differences-from-low-code-platforms)
4. [Core Capabilities](#core-capabilities)
5. [Getting Started](#getting-started)
6. [System Access](#system-access)
7. [First Steps](#first-steps)

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## Introduction

**Corrad ProcessMaker is a Business Process Management (BPM) platform designed for creating, automating, and managing complex business workflows.** This is NOT a low-code application builder - it's a specialized tool for designing and executing business processes with visual workflow design, form integration, and process automation capabilities.

### What is Business Process Management?

Business Process Management focuses on:
- **Process Design**: Creating visual workflows that represent business logic
- **Process Automation**: Automating repetitive tasks and decision points
- **Process Monitoring**: Tracking process execution and performance
- **Process Optimization**: Identifying bottlenecks and improving efficiency

### Key Differences from Low-Code Platforms

| Business Process Maker | Low-Code Builder |
|----------------------|------------------|
| Focuses on workflow design and process automation | Focuses on application development |
| Uses BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) standards | Uses application development patterns |
| Emphasizes process flow, decision points, and task assignment | Emphasizes UI components and data management |
| Designed for business analysts and process designers | Designed for developers and citizen developers |
| Optimized for process monitoring and analytics | Optimized for rapid application development |

### Core Capabilities

**Process Design & Automation**
- Visual workflow designer with BPMN-compliant components
- Decision points and conditional routing
- Task assignment and user role management
- Process variables and data flow management

**Form Integration**
- Dynamic form creation for data collection
- Form-to-process integration for task completion
- Conditional form logic and validation
- Multi-step form workflows

**Process Execution & Monitoring**
- Real-time process execution tracking
- Task queue management and assignment
- Process performance analytics
- Exception handling and error management

**Business Integration**
- API integration for external system connectivity
- Business rule engine for complex decision logic
- Notification system for process updates
- Audit trail and compliance tracking

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for using the system's core BPM features to design, implement, and manage business processes effectively.

## Getting Started

**No installation is required.** The system is a web-based application accessible through your browser.

### System Access
1. Open your web browser
2. Navigate to the application URL
3. Enter your username and password
4. Click "Login" to access the system

### First Steps
- **Dashboard**: Start here to get an overview of your system
- **Form Builder**: Create data collection forms
- **Process Builder**: Design business workflows
- **Execution**: Run and monitor processes

### Navigation Guide

1. **Dashboard Overview**
   - View system statistics and recent activity
   - Access quick actions for common tasks
   - Monitor active processes and tasks

2. **Form Builder**
   - Create dynamic forms for data collection
   - Design forms with conditional logic
   - Preview and test form functionality

3. **Process Builder**
   - Design visual workflows
   - Configure business rules and decision points
   - Integrate forms and external systems

4. **Process Management**
   - Monitor active processes
   - Track performance and analytics
   - Manage process instances and cases

### Next Steps

After familiarizing yourself with the system:

1. **Create Your First Form**: Go to [Form Builder Documentation](02-form-builder.md)
2. **Design Your First Process**: Go to [Process Builder Documentation](04-process-builder.md)
3. **Learn Advanced Features**: Check [FAQ - Advanced Topics](06-faq-advanced-topics.md)

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*Next Chapter: [Form Builder](02-form-builder.md)*