The PDM is used to control access to documented versions of product designs, which include the traditional single data record, such as product details or company contact details. It plays an important role in the storage and access of data and documents throughout the process. Conversely, WfMS allows managers to coordinate and schedule the activities of business processes to optimize the flow of information between partners and resources. It is used to coordinate the more complex and repeatable work processes of production. Based on these two models, the application is developed with data input and data retrieval interfaces for accessing logistic information online.

The PDM is an ideal model to control product and contact information that involve two different types of database structure design: one entry of table storage and multiple entries of table storage. The “one entry of table storage” satisfies the table schema that has a one-to-one relation with other tables, and the purpose of this table is to store and access records. However, the multiple entries of table storage, when one table has been normalized by 3-N rules, results in splitting into a one-to-many relationship with another table. For instance, one invoice will have multiple purchase item details, which establish a one-to-many relationship within the entry.

The WfMS category is concerned with time-related tasks, which can handle any re-structuring, such as roles and responsibilities of parties in the supply chain logistic route. The system can automatically detect time conflicts in the existing route. When the administrator arranges for a workflow (Lang & Burnett, 2000), which may require member

A, the system will check for the availability of member A, and wait for guarantee from member A about the delivery in real time. If resource conflicts are identified the system will inform the user about the next best option.

In conclusion, the data models are classified into two categories, the product data management (PDM) and the workflow management system (WfMS). The PDM is a kind of simple data storage and retrieval model, which allows the user to access one single item quickly. A typical example is the customer record in a company system, which always stores the customer’s contact details. In the database structure design point of view, it only requires the user to access one single table in database. However, the WfMS allows control of the routing of work throughout the business process. It is done based on the user input describing the flow, the decisions, the exceptions, and the resource to be used. The co-ordination involves passing tasks to participants in correct sequence, and ensuring all complete their task successfully. In short, the WfMS may involve multiple tables connections.