Data-awareness in B2B process modeling

This paper presents a notation to model business processes in the context of B2B (Business to Business) systems. Data-awareness is a key asset of the notation: data is placed at the forefront of process representations and task execution is data-driven instead of control-driven. In addition to process models, the notation (B2BPN) includes three other types of models, i.e. the architectural model, the collaboration models and the information model of the process. Data can transit between B2B processes through the interactions defined in the collaboration models and such models represent the relationships between the companies taking part in B2B systems. The notation is illustrated with an example concerning the order management of a distributor.