Recently we've begun working with Ultimus, a BPM system which I believe is on the verge of revolutionizing software development. Does this mean Business Process Management software is ready for prime time? Yes and No. Some issues with new versions of Windows keeps it off of the new gold standard Windows 2008 Server. Other issues with form submission that will negate form data entries unless you click in the form prior to submitting it. Speed of course is relative but when you're talking the speed of Ultimus versus phone, sneaker-net or IM you're still talking a big time savings.
Where I think BPM shines is in queueing work flow and in creating a manageable people process around data.
Instead of hard and fast rules coldly analysing and rejecting people or charging them extra money etc, why don't we involve humans in the process at critical decision points? Instead of creating a log jam effect I believe it's possible to send "threshold" cases for human review. This gives you the efficiency of blindingly fast determinations with questionable decisions being routed to a human gaining the best of both worlds. I believe that quality software in the future will ensure human interaction instead of avoiding it.
