Improving Workflow - CF, DrWooHoo and MAX, and Kimonos
Lately I've been doing a lot of work involving improving workflows, and in particular using ColdFusion 8's new PDF features to do just that.
A nasty example of poor workflow is in trying to place an order for a good or service, or even internally, trying to request a new computer. You typically have to fill out a number of forms (get a quote, purchase order, etc), you then have to get signatures from X number of people depending on what the good/service/requirement is and how much it costs.
Part of the workflow problem is getting hold of Purchase Order numbers, getting the right people to sign the forms (even more difficult if they aren't necessarily in the same building, or even the same country).
Even when you reach the invoice stage, finance departments aren't that keen on paying out (then again, who is) and you typically have to pick up the phone, write an email of take a walk to the department to find out why your goods/service/requirement hasn't materialised.
I'll be talking about how to improve your workflow in Munich at the end of this month at the ColdFusion Camp event.
We at Fuzzy Orange will be rolling a workflow solution into a project we are doing for the Glasgow School of Art's Centre for Advanced Textiles (CAT) department and interestingly, the guys we're working with at CAT are involved in some other workflow concepts.
Andy McDonald, a research student at CAT is working with Dr.WooHoo on this, and Dr.WooHoo is covering a session at MAX North America on using Flex and Air to Automate CS4 Workflows.
Dr.WooHoo will be talking about building cross-platform applications that integrate CS4 (InDesign, Photoshop and Bridge) into your workflow.
Working with Andy we've already been exposed to some of his ideas, which also includes a project code named "KimonoBuilder", which you can see a little sneak peak of at the following online interviews [1][2].
Knowing Andy McDonald personally, in addition to just how awesome Dr.WooHoo is, I can't wait to see what these guys come up with. If you're going to be at MAX NA, I'd urge you to attend this session. "Crazy shit", in a good way of course, springs to mind.