Science Breakthrough Changes the Calculus of Business Advantage.

Technology Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 2002

An arcane branch of mathematics, Pi-calculus, is set to revolutionize business. That's the message in a groundbreaking new book released this week, Business Process Management: The Third Wave, written by noted industry experts Howard Smith and Peter Fingar.

Business executives cannot look at a trade magazine without seeing that business processes are in vogue--again. Some, however, are asking, "What's new here? Should I pay attention?" Katy Ring of Ovum research explains, "Why is business process management (BPM) hot? Whatever your organizational structure, be it in manufacturing, services or retail, your operation is underpinned by processes--the fundamental ways of doing things that are either efficient and appropriate, or, more often, outdated and arthritic."

Discovering innovative ways to improve business processes is now recognized as the path to business agility and competitive advantage. It's something companies are desperately seeking as they attempt to adapt to the current business landscape. While the vision of business process management isn't new, existing theories and information systems haven't been able to cope with the reality of business processes--until now. This groundbreaking work provides business leaders a clear understanding of how entire business processes can, for the first time, be made self-automating and self-optimizing. That's where Pi-calculus comes in.

According to the authors, every significant breakthrough in business technology has been underpinned by mathematics: from the invention of the computer itself with the base-two numbering system; to the relational algebra that underpins today's databases. With business processes powered by Pi-calculus, corporations can gain the double leverage they need to both cut costs and achieve growth. Pi-calculus provides the solid theoretical computer science foundation for a new breed of business software --the Business Process Management System-- that radically simplifies how business people, not just technicians, can design, implement, adapt and optimize their business processes.

How important is this to business?

A line from GE's key growth initiatives states, "(process) digitization represents a revolution that may be the greatest opportunity for growth that our company has ever seen." This breakthrough will no doubt change how businesses across the globe use technology and change the "economics of the economy." Pi-calculus is not pie-in-the-sky, it is the key to the company of the future--believe it or not!