The Technology

The core technology offering from Ultimus is its Digital Process Automation Suite. As the company has been around for some time, unsurprisingly this has developed into a deep system with an exceptionally broad range of functionality, frameworks, and features. This core automation platform can be accessed through either a low-code development environment or, alternatively, a pro-code environment. The platform itself is rooted in a patented rules mechanism and can be broken down into three key piece parts:

Composed Process Solutions

Adaptive BPM Suite

Advanced Task Service (Ultimus DPA Portal)

技术架构

Ultimus 的核心技术产品是其数字流程自动化套件。由于公司已成立相当长的时间，该套件已发展成为一个功能、框架和特性异常广泛且深入的系统，这并不令人意外。这一核心自动化平台既可通过低代码开发环境访问，也可通过专业代码环境访问。

该平台本身基于一项专利的规则机制，可分为三个关键部分：

组合流程解决方案

自适应 BPM 套件

高级任务服务（Ultimus DPA门户）

Let’s look at each layer in turn, starting with Composed Process Solutions (CPS). The design element of the stack draws upon a wide range of pre-configured assets complete with their associated logic; you can then apply your specific designs and rules and pull everything together within a standardized structure to quickly build out workflows. In short, the CPS provides a software application that can access a library of pre-composed workflow elements. This enables you to “compose,” generate, and modify your custom workflows quickly from the pre-built components.

让我们依次看看每一层，从组合流程解决方案（CPS） 开始。这一设计层利用了种类繁多、附带关联逻辑的预配置资产；然后您可以应用特定的设计和规则，在标准化结构中将所有内容整合起来，快速构建工作流。简而言之，CPS 提供了一个软件应用程序，可以访问一个由预组合工作流元素组成的库。这使您能够基于预构建的组件快速“组合”、生成和修改自定义工作流。

What particularly captured our interest is the potential to use CPS to build quasi smart contracts for blockchain. Today, most smart contracts are built using proprietary blockchain applications and require a lot of specialist coding, when in reality smart contracts are simply a set of rules, though often complex rules, that trigger blockchain transactions. Ultimus appears to be the first process automation firm to have recognized this opportunity and built the capability to anchor transactions (effectively notarizing them) on a blockchain into CPS.

特别引起我们兴趣的是利用 CPS 为区块链构建准智能合约的潜力。当前，大多数智能合约是使用专有的区块链应用程序构建的，需要大量专业编码，而实际上智能合约只是一套（尽管通常很复杂的）触发区块链交易的规则。Ultimus 似乎是第一家认识到这一机遇并构建了相应能力的流程自动化公司，该能力可将交易（有效地进行公证）锚定在区块链上并集成到 CPS 中。

All of this functionality comes together in a relatively straightforward user interface (UI) that largely reduces the need to code. The UI is the unified workplace for almost all Ultimusrelated activities, as it is where you build workflows and maintain, analyze, and optimize processes.

所有这些功能都集成在一个相对直观的用户界面（UI） 中，该界面在很大程度上减少了对编码的需求。该 UI 是几乎所有 Ultimus 相关活动的统一工作场所，因为您是在这里构建工作流，并维护、分析和优化流程。

Beneath the UI sits the Ultimus core Adaptive BPM Suite. This is the environment where process steps are executed, notifications triggered, and workflows routed. This BPM system represents the history of Ultimus and is an evolution of its original product offering. It differs from other BPM systems in that it has been architected around patented rulesbased logic. This means that the system provides a user- and role-based structure for task allocation; this is a key differentiator for Ultimus. From its earliest days, the company has recognized the need to map the organization, and the roles played within it, to enable good process management. Those who use the organizational chart functionality within the BPM system can make changes here that will, if required, automatically change any related process maps.

在 UI 之下是 Ultimus 核心的自适应 BPM 套件。这是执行流程步骤、触发通知和路由工作流的环境。该 BPM 系统代表了 Ultimus 的历史，是其原始产品的演进。它与其他 BPM 系统的不同之处在于，其架构是围绕基于专利规则的逻辑设计的。这意味着系统提供了基于用户和角色的任务分配结构；这是 Ultimus 的一个关键差异化优势。公司自成立之初就认识到，为了实现良好的流程管理，需要映射组织及其内部角色。在 BPM 系统中使用组织结构图功能的用户，可以在此处进行更改，这些更改将在需要时自动更改任何相关的流程图。

Also of note within the Ultimus BPM is the Flobot functionality, which has been a part of the system for many years. Ultimus Flobots essentially provided robotic process automation (RPA) functionality long before RPA became a thing. Flobots generate and provide standalone micro workflow units within broader processes. Sitting over this underlying functionality is the Advanced Task Service, a portal-type layer to manage the overall system’s performance and provide a rolebased UI for the end user (see Figure 1).

Ultimus BPM 中另一个值得注意的是 Flobot 功能，它已成为系统的一部分多年。早在 RPA 成为潮流之前，Ultimus Flobots 本质上就提供了机器人流程自动化（RPA） 功能。Flobots 在更广泛的流程中生成并提供独立的微工作流单元。在此基础功能之上是高级任务服务，这是一个门户式的管理层，用于管理整个系统的性能，并为最终用户提供基于角色的 UI（见图1）。

The differentiation points for Ultimus lie less in the specific functional elements than in its general structure and approach; it favors an “industrial” approach to software and process automation over the traditional bespoke approach. Ultimus embraces the philosophy that all organizations may think they are unique, but in truth they share many commonalities. Therefore, it is possible to build a kit of parts that can be assembled quickly to meet these seemingly unique requirements. For example, regardless of which organizations run such activities, customer onboarding or loan settlement processes will share over 90% of the same DNA. So, what you are buying with Ultimus is not just a toolkit but a self-assembly software application.

Ultimus 的差异化点更多地体现在其总体结构和方法上，而非特定的功能元素；它倾向于一种软件和流程自动化的 “工业化”方法，而非传统的定制方法。Ultimus 信奉这样一种理念：所有组织都可能认为自己独一无二，但实际上它们有许多共同点。因此，可以构建一个部件工具箱，快速组装以满足这些看似独特的需求。例如，无论哪个组织运行此类活动，客户入职或贷款结算流程都有超过 90% 的相同“基因”。因此，您通过 Ultimus 购买的不仅是一个工具包，更是一个自助组装式软件应用程序。

Similarly, though some business processes are rigid, most are dynamic and need to be able to adapt to expected and unexpected changes. To change active business processes, it is necessary to understand how they are actually working instead of how they were designed to work. There is always some disconnect when planned and engineered process flows go into production. Ultimus provides a patented product called “Adaptive Discovery” to simplify discovering the true “as is” state and enable an easy transition to the desired “to be” state.

同样，虽然有些业务流程是刚性的，但大多数是动态的，需要能够适应预期和非预期的变化。要更改正在运行的业务流程，有必要了解它们实际是如何工作的，而不是它们被设计成如何工作。当经过计划和设计的流程流投入生产时，总会存在一些脱节。Ultimus 提供了一个名为 “自适应发现” 的专利产品，用于简化对真实“现状”状态的发现，并实现向理想“未来”状态的轻松过渡。

How does it work? A process expert defines what they know about the process, key trigger points, and its overall purpose, then those criteria are run against the active process. The results tell the process expert what is working, what is not, and what needs to be changed. Changes are then defined and run against the active process, and if needed, further tweaks can be made, for example adding or rerouting a data source. This is an interesting alternative to more common process-mining tools that

essentially provide log-level data for process activities, identifying bottlenecks, etc., but seldom give actionable insights on how to improve the situation.

它是如何工作的？流程专家定义他们对流程的了解、关键触发点及其总体目的，然后根据正在运行的流程运行这些标准。结果会告诉流程专家哪些在正常工作，哪些没有，以及哪些需要更改。然后定义更改并在活动流程中运行，如果需要，可以进行进一步的调整，例如添加或重新路由数据源。这是一种有趣的替代方案，区别于更常见的流程挖掘工具，后者主要提供流程活动的日志级数据，识别瓶颈等，但很少提供关于如何改进状况的可操作见解。

Though many of its competitors are moving aggressively to low- or no-code environments, Ultimus – though providing low-code capabilities – ensures that pro-code, which is a necessity in complex process automation projects, remains core to its platform.

尽管许多竞争对手正积极转向低代码或无代码环境，但 Ultimus——尽管也提供低代码能力——确保专业代码能力（这是复杂流程自动化项目的必要条件）仍为其平台的核心。

Our Opinion

Ultimus provides one of the most comprehensive and well-thought-through digital process management systems on the market. It lacks little functionality, and it has its way of doing things, centering its approach around organizational needs and rules instead of the more common system-level process approach.

Ultimus 提供了市场上最全面、最深思熟虑的数字流程管理系统之一。它几乎不缺什么功能，并且有其独特的行事方式，其方法以组织需求和规则为中心，而非更常见的系统级流程方法。

Over the past few years, the focus of the automation world has been on automating relatively simple repetitive tasks through the use of RPA tools. However, such tools are not a fit for more complex strategic automation requirements. This is where Ultimus finds its place. Ultimus is designed to take on and simplify the implementation of otherwise costly and complex process automation. Its years of experience are reflected in the high quality of its associated services and, more importantly, in the fact that it provides so many pre configured elements to accelerate any process automation project.

过去几年，自动化的焦点一直是通过使用 RPA 工具自动化相对简单的重复性任务。然而，此类工具并不适合更复杂的战略性自动化需求。这正是 Ultimus 的定位所在。Ultimus 旨在承接并简化那些原本成本高昂且复杂的流程自动化的实施。其多年的经验不仅体现在高质量的相关服务上，更重要的是，它提供了大量预配置元素，可加速任何流程自动化项目。

About Deep Analysis

Deep Analysis is an advisory firm that helps organizations understand and address the challenges of innovative and disruptive technologies in the enterprise software marketplace. Its work is built on decades of experience in advising and consulting to global technology firms large and small, from SAP, Oracle, and HP to countless start-ups. Led by Alan Pelz-Sharpe, the firm focuses on Information Management and the business application of Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain. Deep Analysis recently published the book “Practical Artificial Intelligence: An Enterprise Playbook,” co-authored by Alan and Kashyap Kompella, outlining strategies for organizations to avoid pitfalls and successfully deploy AI.

Deep Analysis works with technology vendors to improve their understanding and provide actionable guidance on current and future market opportunities.

Yet, unlike traditional analyst firms, Deep Analysis takes a buyer centric approach to its research and understands real-world buyer and market needs versus the “echo chamber” of the technology industry.

关于 Deep Analysis

Deep Analysis 是一家咨询公司，帮助组织理解并应对企业软件市场中创新和颠覆性技术带来的挑战。

其工作基于数十年为全球大大小小技术公司提供咨询和建议的经验，从 SAP、Oracle 和 HP 到无数初创公司。

在 Alan Pelz-Sharpe 的领导下，公司专注于信息管理以及云、人工智能和区块链的业务应用。Deep Analysis 最近出版了由 Alan 和 Kashyap Kompella 合著的《实用人工智能：企业实战指南》一书，概述了组织避免陷阱并成功部署人工智能的策略。

Deep Analysis 与技术供应商合作，以增进他们的理解，并提供关于当前和未来市场机遇的可操作指导。

然而，与传统分析师公司不同，Deep Analysis 采取以买家为中心的研究方法，理解真实世界的买家和市场需求，而非技术行业的"回音室"。