K2[blackpearl] 0803 Released

Apr 26

The 0803 release for K2[blackpearl] has been announced. This release provides support for 64-bit hardware platforms, support for Worldwide English (non-English Windows, SQL Server, SharePoint, Office and Visual Studio), improved license management, performance enhancements and post-SP1 patches and bug fixes.

64-BIT SUPPORT
64-bit support allows K2[blackpearl] components to be installed on 64-bit hardware platforms. Support for the 64-bit platform includes the following components.
    > 64-bit SQL Server 2005
    > 64-bit SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services
    > 64-bit SharePoint 2007 (WSS/MOSS/Forms Server)
    > 64-bit K2 [blackpearl] Server
    > 64-bit K2 Workspace

WORLDWIDE ENGLISH (INTERNATIONALIZATION)
Worldwide English support allows K2 [blackpearl] to run in English on non-English platforms. Support for non-English platforms includes the following components.
    > Windows 2003 Server (Standard or better)
    > SQL Server 2005
    > SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services
    > SharePoint 2007 (WSS/MOSS/Forms Server)
    > Visual Studio 2005 (Professional or better)
    > Visio 2007

LICENSE MANAGEMENT
The K2 license management feature adds the following capabilities.
    > Add / Delete license
    > Edit existing licenses
    > Manage Logged in Users
    > Manage License over usage

DISTRIBUTED INSTALLATION ENHANCEMENTS
The K2 Installation Manager and K2 Configuration Manager tools have been greatly enhanced to allow for greater flexibility and robustness when installing K2 [blackpearl] in distributed environments, including the following.
> Improved support for network load balanced web front ends in SharePoint farms
> Improved support for network load balanced K2 Workspace scenarios

PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENTS
Numerous performance enhancements have been implemented. Some of the highlights are as follows.
    > Workflow Server Performance
    > Improved processes execution
    > Worklist & Worklist Item performance
    > Improved memory usage when starting processes and finishing work list items
    > Improved batch execution of K2 processes
    > SmartObject Performance
    > SmartObject Server data handling enhancements
    > Client Data Marshalling enhancement
    > SmartObject Synchronization - see KB000250 - SmartObject GUID Synchronization

IPC EVENT
The following issues have been fixed relating to the IPC Event.
    > Process Synchronization using Batch Actioning, IPC Sync Events, and Worklist Navigation
    > Worklist Issues with Multiple Destinations, IPC Events and Dynamic Roles
    > Not all processes in a solution are displayed when browsing for child processes in an IPC Event
        wizard
    > When an activity contains an IPC event where the destination user is mapped to the child process and
        is used in a client event, both users are able to view the other user’s work items.

DOCUMENTATION
Several additions and enhancements have been made to the K2 blackpearl Documentation. The key areas of improvement are as follows:

1. OVERALL DOCUMENTATION
    > Combined all documents to be linked from CHM file for easier discovery
    > Added a “Send Feedback” link to all topics
    > Added/Improved content for Troubleshooting, License Management, K2 Wizards, SmartObject
        (Delete), 2003 Interoperability and InfoPath Templates

2. GETTING STARTED GUIDE
The K2 [blackpearl] Getting Started Guide has been completely rewritten to provide clear concise information for planning and installation including the following.
    > A Getting Started Checklist spreadsheet is embedded in the guide to help you plan, document and
        verify your K2 environment
    > Software prerequisites list is provided by component and by role
    > A new “Before you begin” section has been added that details steps for configuring DNS, Service
        Accounts, Permissions, NLB, SPNs, MSMQ and DTC
    > Detailed information for installing in a distributed environment has been greatly enhanced
    > New topics have been added to the Troubleshooting the Installation section

3. DEVELOPER REFERENCE (FORMERLY SDK)
The K2 [blackpearl] Developer Reference was introduced mid Q1 and has been updated with the following new content for 0803.
    > Database Overview & Schemas
Architecture topics
    > Architectural Overview of K2 [blackpearl]
    > Architecture of Authoring, Management and Runtime aspects of the K2 platform
    > Architecture of the Workflow Server
    > Architecture of the SmartObject Server
    > Architecture of the Event Bus
    > Architecture of the Environment Library
    > Architecture of the Workspace Management Console
New “How To” topics
    > How to access and return information from the Global Worklist
    > How to upload a file to a SmartObject
    > How to add a 3rd-party event recorder to the K2 [blackpearl] Server
    > How to create a custom MSBuild task to set rights on a process
    > How to Generate a Report in PDF format

COMPATABILITY MATRIX
The K2 [blackpearl] Compatibility Matrix has been added to the customer portal at http://portal.k2workflow. com/help/k2blackpearl/k2bpmatrix.aspx.
Please take the time to review the latest K2 [blackpearl] 0803 (4.8075.1.0) Release Notes and product documentation before installing 0803 to ensure you understand the enhancements, fixed issues, and outstanding known issues.
DOWNLOAD K2 [BLACKPEARL] 0803 (4.8075.1.0)
K2 [blackpearl] 0803 (4.8075.1.0) is available at https://portal.k2workflow.com/do wnloads/bp/Default.aspx.
License keys can be obtained at https://portal.k2workflow.com/lice nsekey/Default.aspx. The page can also be found via the Support > License Key Request > License Key menu on portal.
The 0803 installer is slipstreamed, so if K2 blackpearl is not already present, the installer will install K2 blackpearl with the 0803 updates.

SUPPORT
Please use the customer portal to open support tickets and/or contact your local support offices to report any issues. Additionally, the K2 blackpearl public forum on K2 Underground is available for community-based discussions: http://k2underground.com/forums/default.aspx?GroupID=21. Note: K2 Underground is a community Web site and should not be used for production support issues or for logging bugs.

SourceCode, K2, K2[blackpearl], K2 Underground