How To K2

Starting Processes from Libraries that Implement Content Types

2009-08-25T18:39:21Z

The Problem
When using K2’s SharePoint Event Integration you are provided with multiple trigger/hook points to which you can tie your process for initialization. Commonly, in a non-content typed library, you simply select “Item Added” hook and move on in the wizard.

However, because of the order in which the “Item Added” event and metadata save events are triggered by SharePoint, metadata will not be available immediately for use in your process. If you expect to make decisions in your process based on metadata within moments of the item being created you will be sorely disappointed.

First Attempts
The first workarounds leveraged to avoid this SharePoint timing issue involved implementing a start rule on a process or activity instructing it to wait for x seconds. This opens up a nasty can of worms if the servers involved are under unexpectedly high load or if process execution speed is paramount to the business need. Additionally you COULD violate best practices and check for the data in a SmartObject event and if the metadata isn’t ready, loop back and wait x seconds before trying again – but doesn’t that seem messy? and it couldn’t be good for performance..

New Perspective
So, what other events in SharePoint do we have access to that won’t keep this metadata limitation until Office 2010? Well, I’m glad you asked. In fact, SharePoint’s “Update Event” does respect timing in regards to the metadata. In every test I’ve performed when firing a process based on the update event, the metadata is ready and waiting for me when I need it from a SmartObject event. But that isn’t the best part; The metadata you can map to process datafields and the folio in the SharePoint Events Process wizard in K2 works flawlessly when the process is triggered from SharePoint’s update event, so you’ll probably be able to make the decisions necessary just based on this initial data keeping your decision making lightweight.

Decisions Decisions
Besides the fact that the method I’m describing keeps you from violating best practices with start rules and loopbacks, there are other advantages to creating a control process to handle the processes you want to tie to a particular SharePoint list.

You may have an approval process associated with a Document Library for all but one content type. In the case of the final content type, you need a more complex approval solution and therefore need a completely different process associated with it. Having a control process triggered by the update event will allow you to make decision regarding which approval process to execute.

As above, you may have a particular content type that requires no approvals at all, you can allow for the control process to simply do nothing in the case of this content type.

You may want to take control of an approval process under certain scenarios. For instance, if a capital expenditure is up for approval and someone updates the document or metadata, you can add logic to the control process, to send the Approval process back to the beginning and notify the SharePoint user that they just made the approval start over.

Example

Here I’m integrating with a document library that has two content types. Both content types have a yes/no column named “Process Started” which will allow us to make our first decision in the control process: Is there already a process in motion to handle this document? We don’t want an approval process to get kicked off every time someone or some system updates the data, so we create a control process that looks something like this and leverage the “ProcessStarted” yes/no data.

A series of wizard highlights I snapped while creating this example

Within the Sharepoint Events Integration wizard, opt for the “Item Updated” Event:

Still in the Event Integration wizard, map your decision making field, “ProcessStarted”, from the SharePoint event to a a process datafield for easiest access in your line rules:

Configure the 1st line rule for the scenario when a process had already been set in motion, so the control process can just end silently and set the other line rule for the inverse “<>”:

Add an IPC event as pictured above in the activity “IPC-StartDocumentApproval” and be sure to map any data you will need in the child process such as the document name, folder, site/list url, and any Content Type columns that you mapped in the Sharepoint Events Process wizard:

Finally, add a SmartObject event to your control process to update the “ProcessStarted” status successfully. Instead of a yes/no column, I’d also recommend using a text column that you can also purpose as a status field. As the approval process reaches each milestone (ie. Started, Approved, Complete) you can use a SmartObject event to publish that status directly in the Document Library lessening load on your reports and bringing pertinent data closer to your users.

Now, each time a SharePoint Update event is triggered, K2 will evaluate the current conditions and decide whether to start an approval process for the document in question. Additionally, the K2 control process can be expanded to make decision based on other available metadata and start one of several or multiple processes to handle the business rules associated with a particular content type, document type and/or matching data relationship.

Using “code behind” with InfoPath forms, SharePoint and K2

2009-06-29T20:49:53Z

IP and Codebehind

Some additional great info

http://www.k2distillery.com/2008/12/deploy-infopath-as-feature-with-managed.html

http://www.k2distillery.com/2008/10/deploy-infopath-as-feature.html

Also from the K2 documentation, check out the step by step instructions. (be aware you will also need to have some type of digitally signed form in many cases for this to work 100%)

InfoPath integration using Code Behind

When integrating K2 blackpearl with InfoPath FormServices and the InfoPath form contains Code Behind the following steps will need to be performed:

1. Create your Form, add your C# or VB code, set it to Full Trust and save the template on the local machine

2. Open your K2 Project

3. Open the InfoPath Process Integration Wizard

4. Select Add

5. Browse to your Template saved in step 1

6. On the Deployment Location page select Local or Network location

7. Complete the Add InfoPath Template and InfoPath Integration wizards

8. Deploy your process when done with your design

9. After successful deployment browse to the Deployment Location selected in step 6

10. Right Click the file and select Design

11. Select Publish from the File menu

12. Enter your Site URL and click Next

13. Select Enable this form to be filled in Using a browser and Continue to the next page

14. Enter the Template filename which will have to be uploaded by an administrator using the Central Admin and complete the rest of the wizard

15. Close InfoPath

16. Open the MOSS Central Admin site

17. Navigate to Central Admin > Application Manager > Manage Form Templates > Upload Form Template

18. Browse to the File saved in step 14 and select Upload

19. When this completed navigate to Central Admin > Application Manager > Manage Form Templates

20. Find the template uploaded in the previous step, open the file’s drop down menu and select Activate Template on Site Collection

21. Select the site on which you would like to use the template and click on OK

22. Browse to the site on which you activated the Template and navigate to the library on which you wish to add the template as a content type

23. Ensure that the Library is set to display as a Web Page and apply the changes

24. Still on the Library settings page find the Content Types Section and select Add from existing site content types

25. Add the Content Type that you enabled on the Site Collection in step 22

26. Navigate to the Document Library and Open the content type added

27. This should now open the Browser

How To K2 Process Portals

2009-06-26T15:05:28Z

Process Portals

Learn more about the K2 web designer in blackpoint

2009-06-17T14:44:00Z

K2 web designer for blackpoint

Learn more about K2 studio

2009-06-15T18:17:00Z

How To K2

How to K2 Kerberos edition

2008-11-06T20:32:00Z

Hello all,

Well its been some time since I have posted anything up here but this video is a long one, but also very important. IT IS KERBEROS. Since this one is so long and covers so much I added an index/TOC to it, Simply open the HTML file associated with this project in the ZIP. If you do not want to use this you can just watch the straight WMV.

One item that I did not explain very well was the Kerberos Time Sensitivity. By default if there is greater than 5Min difference between 2 systems involved in a authentication Kerberos will fail. Check out the following article for more info.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc780011.aspx

for advanced information on Constrained Delegation and Protocol Transition check out the following link

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc739587.aspx

For wireshark info

http://www.wireshark.org/

The SETSPN tool is in the 2003 support tools downloadable from here

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=96a35011-fd83-419d-939b-9a772ea2df90&DisplayLang=en

and finally the video

Here is the Link to the zip download

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry27136.aspx

After you watch the video Here are some great resources.

http://blogs.msdn.com/james_world/archive/2007/08/20/essential-guide-to-kerberos-in-sharepoint.aspx

http://www.pluralsight.com/wiki/default.aspx/Keith.GuideBook.HomePage

http://blogs.msdn.com/martinkearn/archive/2007/04/23/configuring-kerberos-for-sharepoint-2007-part-1-base-configuration-for-sharepoint.aspx

http://www.digwin.com/view/moss-and-kerberos-configuration

http://www.microsoft.com/msj/0899/kerberos/kerberos.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/technologies/security/tkerberr.mspx

http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/97376/use-kerberos-to-secure-moss-2007.html

http://www.sharepointblogs.com/spfromscratch/archive/2008/02/11/configuring-kerberos-autentication-on-moss-2007.aspx

http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/technologies/featured/kerberos/default.mspx

http://blogs.inetium.com/blogs/jdevries/archive/2006/04/21/more-on-kerberos-and-delegation-troubleshooting.aspx

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907272

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=99B0F94F-E28A-4726-BFFE-2F64AE2F59A2&displaylang=en

A Great book

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Server-2003-Security-Infrastructures/dp/1555582834/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213632286&sr=8-14

Deployment Troubleshooting

2008-08-04T21:16:22Z

Another is ready for your viewing pleasure. Its on Deployment Troubleshooting

In WMV

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry25321.aspx

In Packaged Format

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry25322.aspx

Also make sure you check out the following KB article as it contains some great info for this topic as well

http://kb.k2workflow.com/Articles/KB000188.aspx

So you say you want to debug?

2008-07-25T19:28:32Z

We are on a roll this week and I have 2 more How to K2 videos ready for you. A huge thanks to our own "bobopedia" Bob Maggio for all his help on these videos.

Debugging a Service Broker

This will show how the Visual Studio Debugger can be utilized to debug a custom K2 Service broker.

In this scenario the configuration method is debugged, so K2 workspace is used to trigger the debugging event, as opposed to some sort of actual Create or Update method.

Note: in some environments the K2 server may need to be enabled for remote debugger. Refer to the below link for more details:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910448

(Packaged)

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry25114.aspx

(WMV)

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry25115.aspx

Debugging a K2 Process

This will show how the Visual Studio Debugger can be attached to the K2 server and used to step through the code of an executing process.

Note: in some environments the K2 server may need to be enabled for remote debugger. Refer to the below link for more details:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910448

(Packaged)

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry25112.aspx

(WMV)

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry25113.aspx

Process Error Repair

2008-07-24T17:34:00Z

The How To K2 video series is back in action. This video will go over process error repair, mainly utilizing the process management functionality in Visual Studio.

I hope you enjoy.

WMV Format

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry25066.aspx

Packaged

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry25067.aspx

Roles and Destinations

2008-04-04T17:51:53Z

Hello all!

The latest and greatest "How to K2" video is now live, and this one is a big one, it is on Roles and Destinations. I spent a lot of time talking to MikeyT, Holly and Koos to make sure what I was telling you is exactly correct. This is an often confusing area so I hope that it helps out.

You can download them here

WMV

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry22964.aspx

Packaged

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry22966.aspx

IPOD

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry22965.aspx

I also refer in the video to the AWESOME whitepaper that MikeT wrote, it is located here http://k2underground.com/files/folders/technical_product_documents/entry20948.aspx

So now go out there, watch it build something and have FUN!

Actions and Outcomes

2008-02-29T23:46:00Z

Hello K2 land, I just put the finishing touches on the latest incarnation of the How 2 K2 video series on Actions and Outcomes.

And as ALWAYS I have laboriously produced it in multiple flavors.

WMV

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry22222.aspx

IPOD

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry22230.aspx

Packaged

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry22224.aspx

Using 2003 Templates in blackpearl

2008-01-30T23:47:28Z

Hello again everyone..

I know last time I said the next video would be on Actions and Outcomes, but I was trying to get some 2003 templates to work in blackpearl this week and thought it would be a great video to show. I am sure someone out there could use the help.

So here it is video 10 on using 2003 templates in blackpearl. This one is short and sweet….

And as always they come in a variety of flavors

WMV

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry21562.aspx

IPOD

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry21563.aspx

Packaged

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry21564.aspx

The Environment Library

2008-01-24T01:05:24Z

Well it appears that I am on a roll again, and I am posting VIDEO 9…. I should be in syndication soon J

This video is on the Environment Library. I am trying out some new fancy schmancy new "Transitions" between sections of the video. Hopefully it will only enhance your viewing and learning experience. In any case I hope you find the video helpful, and since I am on a roll expect more videos soon…

Packaged

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry21349.aspx

IPOD

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry21350.aspx

WMV

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry21352.aspx

Video 8 Now Available

2008-01-15T23:09:56Z

Hello all and welcome to the New Year. I have just posted the latest video in our "How to K2 series". I know it has been a long time since video 7 but like all good sequels it takes a while to get them out the door. As always I have posted the video in several versions. They are available as follows.

In Packaged Form

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry21112.aspx

In IPOD Format

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry21114.aspx

and in good old WMV

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/entry21113.aspx

Video 8 is all about getting around in K2 Designer for Visual Studio. So take a look and let us know what you think!

Video 7 registering your new service

2007-12-03T02:28:00Z

Video 7 is now availiable.

Video 7 will be covering registering your new Service Type through the use of the Broker Management console as well as registering the first Service Instance through the use of the K2 workspace.

As always the video has been published in a variety of format. I hope you find it usefull.

As always if you have any suggestions, feedback, or questions please let us know.

Till next time happy downloading.

http://k2underground.com/files/folders/howtok2/default.aspx