Abstract: This article describes a collaborative workflow system based on ontology, which focuses on typical database access. By introducing ontology base and realizing the ontology definition of flow service, domain knowledge and user interface, the system is able to incorporate collaborative knowledge dynamically and thus is flexible enough to apply in other domains which have the same application patterns. The extension and upgrade of the system can be achieved by updating and adding the definition of ontology, which is one of the distinct features of the system. With the ontology base, it is possible to enable the cooperation among different systems, the interaction among different workflow systems, as well as the interaction between workflow system and other applications.

Key words: computer supported cooperative work, workflow, ontology