We present the architecture of a workflow system based on active databases. Business processes can be defined in an easy-to-use graphical workflow description language. Process descriptions written in this language are compiled to rules and executed in a system based on an active database. Thus the workflow system can take full advantage of the capabilities of a database system such as reliability, recovery, concurrency control, transactions, and authorization. We describe the general architecture of such a system and the implementation of a first prototype and discuss the advantages of this approach for building as well as applying workflow machines.

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