The National Institute for Mental Health has implemented a Web-based system to automate its forms and workflow processes.

NIMH's IT department is using technology from San Diego-based BP Logix to automate documents being used by divisional, operational, budget, procurement and administrative staff.

NIMH is part of the National Institutes of Health, a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and seeks to prevent and cure mental illnesses though basic and clinical research.

John S. Harris, the chief information officer at NIMH and head of extramural IT infrastructures and IT services, leads a department of 30, which supports 1,300 users across the institute. His department had the responsibility of automating the institute's workflow processes - and the forms and documents associated with those processes.

Harris said he identified the key features and capabilities NIMH required and, based on these, selected BP Logix Workflow Director.

The BP Logix Workflow Director is Web-based software that provides users with advanced process management, automation and reporting capabilities. It provides storage, categorization and search technologies for all business documents, electronic form management and workflow processes.

"We did not want, or need, a product suite that offered workflow and forms as a component of a larger suite. Instead we wanted a product that had been developed to address requirements like ours, offered an intuitive interface, was not overly complex and was competitively priced," said Harris.