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Extreme weather points to importance of BPM software for climate research

Malcolm Ross, Senior Vice President, Product Strategy, Appian
January 14, 2013

Researching weather is an incredibly challenging process that requires scientists to travel outside the office and maintain access to all of their data and applications. As extreme weather conditions become more common, supporting this type of research could get much more difficult. Business process management software could resolve many of the operational challenges facing researchers in this field, streamlining processes and making it easier for them to not only gather the right information, but also use it as effectively as possible.

Considering the rise of extreme weather

Casually looking at weather conditions around the world makes it seem like many regions are facing severe weather. Serious research echoes this idea, as scientists recognize the rise of extreme weather. Omar Baddour, chief of the data management applications division at the World Meteorological Organization, recently told The New York Times that while some extreme weather is always expected, harsh weather conditions and severe storms are becoming more common throughout the world.

"Each year we have extreme weather, but it's unusual to have so many extreme events around the world at once," Baddour told the news source. "The heat wave in Australia; the flooding in the UK, and most recently the flooding and extensive snowstorm in the Middle East - it's already a big year in terms of extreme weather calamity."

The report explained that weather conditions go beyond being unusual, they are also extreme. For example, Russia often sees extremely cold temperatures. However, parts of the country are experiencing sustained temperatures of negative 50 degrees Fahrenheit. These types of extremes can be problematic, especially as some parts of Russia are experiencing traffic light malfunctions because it is so cold.

Using BPM to improve weather research

It is not uncommon for researchers to travel for field work when major storms or unusual weather conditions emerge. As extreme weather becomes more common, this practice could increase, especially as meteorologists and other scientists work to figure out the extent to which harsh weather indicates climate change. These research processes involve traveling throughout the world with specialized equipment that can gather large quantities of data. Making sure this information can be used effectively is a challenging process that involves a combination of integration and cutting-edge IT functionality. BPM software can ease this processes by making back-office IT systems and data center functionality more social, allowing for seamless process integration and automation.

Malcolm Ross

Vice President of Product Marketing

Malcolm Ross