Automatic Workflows
Automatic workflows that execute actions when defined conditions are met in the operation. Each workflow is designed on real plant data, chaining the notifications, records and tasks that today depend on manual steps.
Automatic workflows in operations
Many plant processes still depend on chains of manual steps: someone detects an issue, writes it down, notifies a colleague, who checks, opens a task in another system and confirms by email. Automatic workflows turn that chain into a defined flow that runs on its own: an event in the plant data starts the process, the system performs the agreed validations, executes actions on the relevant systems and notifies the right people at each point.
Workflows versus rules
A rule is a simple trigger: condition and action, the territory of automatic rules. A workflow orchestrates several dependent steps and keeps track of the state of each case: what has been done, what is pending and who owns the next action. It can wait for human approval, escalate when nobody responds in time and branch depending on validation results.
Plant examples and integration
Typical flows include non-conformity management (create the case with line, shift and batch context, notify quality, hold the affected batch, open analysis tasks and escalate if needed) and maintenance requests (validate the asset, check for open orders, create the work order in the CMMS and notify the technician on duty). Workflows coordinate the systems the plant already uses, such as MES, ERP and CMMS, reading and writing through their interfaces. The AI unit builds flows on already connected data; when connectivity is missing, Captia's Connect area covers data capture. Design starts from the real process with the plant team, deciding which steps run on their own and which need human approval, with every execution logged for review.
How it connects to the system
Captia AI is a capability of Captia Technology. This solution relies on data Connect integrates and priorities Consulting defines.
Other solutions
- Operational Dashboards
Real-time visualisation of the operational data that matters, designed for decision-making, not contemplation. We build dashboards on top of connected plant data, with the views each role needs to run day-to-day operations.
- Intelligent Reporting
Automatic reports that synthesise what is relevant in the operation without manual intervention. Connected plant data becomes periodic, comparable reports that are generated and distributed automatically to the people who need them.
- Automatic Rules
Rules system that acts on operational data: alerts, notifications and actions without human intervention. Each rule is defined with explicit criteria over plant signals, so every response is documented and can be reviewed by the team.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between an automatic workflow and an automatic rule?
- A rule is a simple trigger: when a condition is met, one action runs, for example an alert when a temperature exceeds a threshold. A workflow is an orchestrated multi-step flow: after the initial event it chains validations, actions on different systems and notifications to the right people, keeping track of the process state from start to finish.
- What is needed to deploy automatic workflows in a plant?
- The starting point is operational data that is already connected: machine signals, quality records, systems such as MES, CMMS or ERP. On that base each flow is defined with the plant team: which event starts it, which checks run, which actions execute and who gets notified. If connectivity is missing, that part is covered by Captia’s Connect area.
- Do workflows replace people in decision making?
- No. The workflow automates the repetitive steps of the process, such as recording, checking, notifying or opening tasks, and leaves relevant decisions with the team. A flow can include human approval points: the process pauses, notifies the responsible person and continues only after validation. Everything is logged, which makes it easy to review how each case was handled.
- Do they integrate with the systems we already use, such as ERP or CMMS?
- Yes, that is the core idea. A workflow does not replace existing systems, it coordinates them: it can read a plant event, query ERP data, open a work order in the CMMS and notify through the channels the team already uses. Each integration is analysed per project based on the interfaces the plant systems expose.