Computer processes for carrying out almost any process may be defined as
a series of steps using a plurality of standardized user-interface screens. These
standardized interface screens may be linked together in predetermined orders to
implement on a client computer activities for which the standardized screens are
appropriate to accomplish a pre-defined process. Any number of computer processes
may be developed and deployed using the standard interfaces. The computer process
automatically takes a user from screen to screen, prompting the user to review
or provide information or take appropriate action. Processes may be represented
using metadata. Metadata may provide data to a screen rendering process running
on a user's workstation with details on how to render one of a plurality of standard
screens in a manner which is specific to a particular process. Metadata may be
provided to define the steps of the process for enabling navigational capabilities.
Metadata may stored in a database and communicated by a process server to a client
computer, which acts as a user's workstation. This client-server system architecture
allows maintenance of the computer processes in a central location and remote management
of their use within a network. Furthermore, any number of application-specific
computer processes may be made available and distributed to users without detailed
programs for those processes having to be stored at each user workstation. Furthermore,
basic interface functions with legacy databases and back-end systems may be provided
to each user workstation in a network through the server system.