Easy workflow builder from K2

6 June 2008

K2 has developed a low-cost workflow builder to help non-technical users build workflow solutions and process-driven applications within Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0.

With K2 blackpoint, drag-and-drop tools and a Microsoft Office-style designer allow business users to create new business processes that span libraries, sites, server farms and organisations. Typical workflows include approvals management, routeing documents and listing items. In addition, users can assemble applications from information that already exists.

K2 blackpoint will also include a Silverlight-based designer, making it the only software to offer both thick- and thin-client tools for building solutions in SharePoint. All K2 blackpoint processes are stored and executed within a K2 server.

“K2 blackpoint is for organisations that want to take the workflow capabilities of SharePoint to the next level,” said Adriaan Van Wyk, K2’s CEO. “By empowering non-developers to create workflows, we free IT departments to focus on other mission-critical SharePoint applications.”

And because K2 blackpoint is a subset of K2 blackpearl features and tools, it offers an upgrade path so organisations can grow their investment and add complexity over time, if needed. K2 blackpearl is the centrepiece of the K2 platform for building process-driven applications.

“K2 has always added great value to SharePoint Products and Technologies, with its K2.net 2003 and K2 blackpearl products typically focused on the large enterprise market,” said Tom Rizzo, director of SharePoint for Microsoft Corp. “We are pleased that the company will be releasing a version (K2 blackpoint) dedicated to SharePoint technologies and exploiting the simplicity of the SharePoint platform. This will open up the power of creating rich workflow- and process-driven applications on SharePoint products and technologies to a broad user base, and it reflects the huge growth we are seeing in the adoption and usage of SharePoint globally.”