In the term "headless BPM platform", head refers to the front-end or user interface (UI) generated by the BPM platform or frameworks that are tightly coupled to the back-end. This type of architecture is the default for most BPM solutions. However, a tightly-coupled front-end and back-end can lack flexibility in terms of interfacing with various systems. When a platform is headless, no specific UI is presented to end-users - it separates the user interface from the back-end. You only use the process server to execute process flows without the UI. To explain further, the processes are not rendered by the UI. Instead, there lies a distinct separation of responsibilities where the operation is deferred to the end-user application. The processes are managed through an API or web service that can execute via different devices, and these other devices can present a UI in multiple ways. Essentially, headless BPM provides process execution as a service. Even though a process may deploy once, it can be shown numerous times and in different ways. The main benefit of a headless BPM software is eliminating a rigid front-end UI that is hindering process execution. Front-end developers can create the UI of their choice that is most relevant to the end-users.
Why use a headless BPM solution?
An organization may opt for a headless BPMS for one of several reasons:
- When BPM workflows do not require human intervention.
- The client portal has already developed its preferred existing UI layer.
- To embed an existing UI page, a JSP in an iFrame in a coach.
- A mobile business app already has the UI for the BPM process application.
Benefits of Using a headless BPM platform
A headless BPM platform can provide many business advantages. It proves useful when automating repeatable tasks that have pre-defined outputs. It also shifts responsibility from the end-user to the API. Other major benefits may include:
