Research on workflow patterns based on Petri nets

To satisfy the enterprise process modeling requirements in an imperative workflow style expression, a new complete workflow solution based on Petri nets was proposed for enterprise modeling application. Based on a deep research on workflow patterns, the solution adopted the advanced Petri nets technology to construct all workflow patterns. Inhibitor arc realized synchronization among multiple instances via testing zero state of place. Consumed transition was designed to remove the redundant tokens. Place with a token contributed to control of the firing sequence of transitions. Arc with the value of weight and place with the value of capacity were used to synchronize N paths out of M paths. All workflow patterns, from basic to complex, were all mapped onto the corresponding Petri nets. An application example of integration manufacturing process modeling was introduced to illustrate that the proposed solution based on Petri nets could completely satisfy the enterprise requirement on comprehensive workflow style expression.