Service-oriented business process modeling language

Through analysis of the existing business process modeling languages, their lack of service-oriented support was indicated. A new service-oriented visual business process modeling language VPML-S was proposed based on the existing visual process modeling language (VPML). The conceptual design framework for VPML-S was proposed and its general modeling elements were outlined. The meta-model for VPML-S was designed by using UML class diagram, and its formal model was established on this basis. The service-oriented function provided by service element, the reuse mechanism between business processes provided by nested sub process element, the collaboration mechanism between business processes provided by pipeline element and the interoperability support mechanism between VPML-S business processes and business processes established by other languages were analyzed and evaluated. Visual icons replacement mechanism and meta-model expansion mechanism provided by VPML-S were discussed. Finally, an online shopping flow example was presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the VPML-S for business process reuse, collaboration and interoperability in service-oriented environment.