Sergio Del Piccolo

K2 released K2 blackpoint today. K2 blackpoint is feature-rich software eliminating complexity and allowing business users and non-developers to quickly build workflow solutions and process-driven applications within Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. K2 blackpoint offers drag-and-drop tools, a Microsoft Office-style designer (K2 Studio) and a Silverlight-based K2 Web Designer.

It can be used to create new SharePoint workflows that span libraries, sites, InfoPath forms, server farms and organizations; manage approvals; and route documents and list items. With K2 blackpoint everything can be built without code, and users can assemble new applications from information that already exists and workflows that have already been built.

K2 blackpoint is a subset of K2 blackpearl features and tools. It offers an upgrade path so organizations can grow their investment and add capabilities over time. K2 blackpearl is the centrepiece of the K2 platform for building enterprise-ready, process-driven applications.

Pricing for K2 blackpoint is extremely competitive starting at $5,000 for up to 200 users. Automated workflow is now more achievable than ever!

Make sure you evaluate K2 blackpoint today!

K2 Underground – K2 blackpoint forums

SourceCode, K2, K2 blackpearl, K2 blackpoint, K2 Underground, MOSS, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server

After a six month gap, the latest K2 Networker was mailed out sporting an exciting new format. For those of you who are unaware, the K2 Networker is a monthly e-zine that includes the latest news, best practices and upcoming events regarding K2.Net and Black Pearl. The headline for the July 2007 edition is about the imminent release of K2 Black Pearl slated for August 6th, 2007. Also, included is:

• A list of pertinent blogs regarding K2
• A profile of one of the new K2 Insiders – Edgardo Vega
• News regarding K2’s business expansion in China
• July 2007 Events

Download: K2 Networker – July 2007
To Subscribe: The K2 Networker

Source Code, K2.Net 2003,  Workflow, Black Pearl, K2 Networker

After recently attending a course at the SourceCode head offices in Redmond, I started wondering about the affect that the release of Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) would have on their workflow solution product, K2.Net 2003 and their upcoming release code named “Black Pearl”. When would you use K2.Net as opposed to WF and vice versa? Having worked on a couple of workflow solutions in the last few months, one implementing a K2.Net solution, and another a WF solution using Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS) – which is still in beta version, I have had an opportunity to see both tools in action.

The Tools

Windows Workflow Foundation (WF):
WF is the programming model, engine and tools for quickly building workflow enabled applications. It’s a part of Microsoft .Net 3.0 (previously WinFX). Developers need to design, code and run business process workflows applications using Visual Studio.

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS):
MOSS serves as an enterprise collaboration system, allowing for managing content and business processes. It implements WF to facilitate basic content and document approval and provides the host application for WF to run workflows.

K2.Net 2003 & “Black Pearl”:
K2.Net is an enterprise workflow platform able to host workflow solutions built on Mircrosoft.Net. It comes with the following tools:
K2.Net 2003 Studio – used to develop the workflow.
K2.Net Workspace – with reporting, task redirection,
K2.Net 2003 Service Manager – with server properties, error handling, user and group permission settings, task redirection, and security settings.

K2.Net “Black Pearl” will be built on .Net 3.0 (including WF) with the development studio being able to plug into the Visual Studio. My understanding is that their development team has been collaborating with the Windows Workflow Foundation and Office 2007 team for a couple of years and it will integrate with SQL Server 2005 and Office 2007. “Black Pearl” will also serve as the host application for WF providing an enterprise workflow solution platform. It’s slated to be released sometime in 2007.

How they fit together

While anything can be built from the ground up, WF provides a foundation for creating workflows. MOSS leverages WF to provide simple workflow scenarios that can be used through its collaboration environment. K2.Net provides a platform of ready made activities and events allowing for rapid workflow development. It has pre-built reporting, management and user workspace modules.

Ultimately the answer comes down to the complexity of the workflow and whether you want to spend time coding the infrastructure or use a ready made enterprise environment and build the workflow.

WF, Windows Workflow Foundation, K2.Net, MOSS, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007