Software

Process mining techniques attempt to extract non-trivial and useful information from so-called "event logs". The ProM Framework supports the development of process mining techniques. Recently, a new version of ProM (version 4.1) was released. This version can be downloaded from:

http://prom.sourceforge.net and more information about process mining can be obtained via http://www.processmining.org.

ProM 4.1 offers various techniques to extract process models (e.g., Petri nets, EPCs, BPEL specifications, YAWL models, etc.) from event logs. Moreover, ProM 4.1 also allows for the discovery of other perspectives (e.g., data and resources) and supports related techniques such as conformance checking, model extension, social network analysis, model transformation, process verification, etc. The current version of ProM offers more than 150 plug-ins, thus illustrating the broad functionality offered.

Process mining is relevant since more and more information about processes is collected in the form of event logs. The widespread use of information systems, e.g., systems constructed using ERP, WFM, CRM, SCM, and PDM software, resulted in the omnipresence of vast amounts of event data. Events may be recorded in the form of audit trails, transactions logs, or databases and may refer to patient treatments, order processing, claims handling, trading, travel booking, etc. Moreover, recently, more and more devices started to collect data using TCP/IP, GSM, Bluetooth, and RFID technology (cf. high-end copiers, wireless sensor networks, medical systems, etc.).

ProM is open source and provides a plug-able architecture where it is easy to add new process mining algorithms, analysis tools, model conversions, etc. Moreover, ProM can interface with dozens of systems, is easy to install, and has been applied in many organizations. This makes ProM an interesting platform for process mining research and applications. We encourage other research groups to join us.

See http://prom.sourceforge.net, http://www.processmining.org, and http://promimport.sourceforge.net for more information.

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