corrad-bp/docs/documentation/01-introduction-getting-started.md

Introduction & Getting Started

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Business Process Management?
3. Key Differences from Low-Code Platforms
4. Core Capabilities
5. Getting Started
6. System Access
7. 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
2. Design Your First Process: Go to Process Builder Documentation
3. Learn Advanced Features: Check FAQ - Advanced Topics

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Next Chapter: Form Builder