K2 blackpearl Overview

Our most comprehensive software for building process-driven applications.

Our flagship product, K2 blackpearl

is our most extensive and feature-rich software for building

process-driven applications across the enterprise.
K2 blackpearl design surfaces browser-based, or hosted in hare!oint, "isio and "isual tudio are
appropriate for a broad range of users and technical-skill sets. #nd because the process definition is not
tied to the designer, users can collaborate regardless of their technical skill or preference.

$ith K2 blackpearl, ever%thing is visual. &ver%thing is declarative. &ver%thing is reusable. &ver%thing is
intuitive.
ee the cience of K2 blackpearl
' (esign surfaces - hosted in hare!oint, "isio or "isual tudio - are appropriate for different t%pes of
users.
' (esigns can be shared between technical and non-technical users.
' !rebuilt wi)ards and templates allow rapid configuration.
' "irtuall% an%thing *processes, forms, reports, etc.+ can be saved in libraries and reused.
' ,everage existing -icrosoft investments, like hare!oint, .orms erver and /i)0alk.
' ,everage existing information and existing s%stems through wi)ard-driven, third-part% integration and
an extensible framework.
' 1reate composite business entities *customers, invoices, etc.+ that aggregate information stored
across s%stems.
' #pplications can be surfaced through $eb browsers, custom thick-client applications, hare!oint or
through Office tools, like Outlook and $ord.
' !rocesses can be initiated manuall% or as a result of events.
' # user2s tasks can be aggregated across processes into a single work list.
' 0ake action on a single task or in a batch.
'
3ntuitive tools give business and technical users the abilit% to start with simple solutions and extend
and adapt as business needs dictate.
' 0emporaril% assign or reassign tasks, as needed, for an% given process.
' !rovide business users the abilit% to modif% processes, forms and reports.
' /uild reports 4uickl% through intuitive, wi)ard-driven, browser-based report designers.
' !ull together all information, including data stored within line-of-business s%stems.
' 5, 6eporting ervices-based reports allow for integration with third-part% reporting engines.
' Keep informed in real-time b% registering business events and desired outcomes.
K2 (esigner for "isio
$ith the K2 (esigner for "isio, users can create process applications within the "isio 2778
environment using an% stencil or template the% would like. 0he K2 (esigner for "isio is an
add-in to "isio 2778 providing the abilit% to build a process application using K29s eas%-to-
use wi)ards. 0his benefit allows customers to have a simple "isio-based experience, while
at the same time leveraging the power the K2 platform has to offer. ince there are no
stencil re4uirements, users can create all new diagrams or open an% previousl% created,
"isio 2778-compatible diagram. 0his allows the designer to use a classic :lines and boxes;
diagram, a floor plan, a swim-lane diagram or an% other template that helps document and
visuali)e the process.
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!rocess designers can also collaborate with developers to extend capabilities that can9t be
solel% enabled through existing wi)ards. !rocesses can be shared between other K2
designers directl% from "isio, allowing developers to add additional functionalit% to
complete the process logic.
K2 tudio
$ith K2 tudio, business users can create process applications within an Office-like
application. K2 tudio is a client-side application providing the abilit% to build a process
application using K29s eas%-to-use wi)ards. 0his benefit allows customers to have a
simple design experience, while at the same time leveraging the power the K2 platform
has to offer.
+ Enlarge screenshot
!rocess designers can also collaborate with developers to extend capabilities that can9t be
solel% enabled through existing wi)ards. !rocesses can be shared between other K2
designers directl% from K2 tudio, allowing developers to add additional functionalit% to
complete the process logic.
K2 (esigner for "isual tudio
0he K2 (esigner for "isual tudio is a full% integrated extension of "isual tudio 277<. 3t
supports a full range of capabilities for process modeling, building and deplo%ment of
solutions. (evelopers simpl% drag and drop components onto the process-design canvas
to build process-driven applications that can include client-based tasks, s%stem integration
and business logic. Windows Presentation Foundation-based wi)ards guide the developer through
configuration and automaticall% assemble the Workflow Foundation schedules files, rules and
activtities without the need for writing code. 3f the developer does need to extend the
process, the K2 (esigner for "isual tudio provides an interface for accessing the $.
design canvas or the code editor.
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3n addition to providing a rich environment for building process-driven applications, the K2
(esigner for "isual tudio provides an interface for assembling business entities that make
use of business information that ma% exist across an% number of line-of-business
s%stems. 0hese business ob=ects, known as SmartObjects, can be stored and reused across all
applications.
K2 $eb (esigner
Out of the box, hare!oint 2778 provides pre-defined processes to accomplish common
business tasks such as item and document approvals. #dditional processes can be
developed using Office hare!oint (esigner 2778 or b% developers using -icrosoft "isual
tudio 277<.
K2 enhances the native hare!oint 2778 development capabilit% b% providing the K2 $eb
(esigner as one of a number of interchangeable design canvases and tools available with
the K2 platform.
+ Enlarge screenshot
0he K2 $eb (esigner, accessible from a browser or surfaced through hare!oint 2778,
allows business users to visuall% model, build and deplo% d%namic business applications.
0hese applications can either extend the capabilities of hare!oint 2778 or function
independentl% according to need. 0he entire development process can be achieved with no
additional software be%ond a browser and without involvement of 30 professionals.
3mprove responsiveness
Microsoft Office > SharePoint > K2 Worklist ? imple work
K2 is often used to streamline the most complex of business scenarios, but in order to be
effective, the software has to be eas% to use. #nd it is. 3n fact, most people might not even
notice the% are using it.
0hat9s because K2 hides all the complexit% of process exception handling and data access,
for example, behind familiarit%. @our emplo%ees will build, run and participate in business
applications through -icrosoft tools, like $ord, Outlook and hare!oint software the%
alread% know and understand.
#ll their tasks will be delivered in a simple list, from which the% can begin work or reroute
=obs to others.
0he% won9t have to learn new technolog% and the% won9t be intimidated, so emplo%ee bu%-
in and confidence will come 4uickl%.
3f work is simple, we believe, it will get done faster and it will get done right.
3ncrease visibilit%
SmartObjects > K2 Eent !us ? #utomatic notifications

K2 processes can be set up to deliver notifications when something changes or occurs in
%our business, like when a product formula changes or when a shipment is delivered.
martOb=ects and the K2 &vent /us make it happen.

martOb=ects are building blocks of data customi)ed to %our business needs. #
martOb=ect could be a set of product information, for example.

0riggered b% an event, the K2 &vent /us will pick up specific martOb=ect information and
deliver an alert, usuall% b% e-mail, to whoever has re4uested it.

Aotifications can be set up for virtuall% an% kind of event an% instance of start, stop or
change in an% process or martOb=ect so %ou9ll alwa%s be informed of what %ou want to
know when %ou want to know it.
-inimi)e risk
Escalation > "edirection > #elegation ? 1ontinuit%
K2 pulls out all the stops so %our business maintains continuit%.
K2 allows %ou to set up policies, or rules, so that %our processes and applications can
continue despite potential obstacles or even roadblocks.
3f someone fails to complete a task in a timel% manner, for example, the task can be
automaticall% escalated to a superior. 3f someone is out of the office, a redirection polic%
will make sure the process is automaticall% detoured to another person. #nd delegation
allows tasks to be passed to someone else who ma% be better e4uipped to complete it.
&ven as these policies are enacted, the process or application sta%s intact so %our
organi)ation sta%s on target.
&nforce governance
#ata audit > #ata archie > Policies > Securit$ ? 1ompliance
@ou can be confident in compliance.
K29s data auditing and archiving capabilities make it simple to track and report on %our all
%our business activities. &ver% time one of %our business processes takes a step forward,
K2 records it and stores it awa%. #nd %ou can 4uickl% access comprehensive audit trails
that meet tough standards for all kinds of industries.
!olicies can be set up to ensure that business processes can9t move forward when the% are
in breech of regulations. 3f an inspection report calls for two signatures, for example, an
alert will be sent or that inspection report will stall in the process until the signatures are
obtained.
ecurit% settings make sure the right people have the right access and abilities.
#ll of this together eas%-to-access records, minimi)ed capacit% for mistakes, and
securit% make complex regulations manageable.
6educe 30 costs
Multi%le designers > &ollaboration ? ,ess development time
$ith K2, ever%one can use comfortable tools to build and affect applications that
streamline %our business. @our developers can use "isual tudio and %our B6 director can
use hare!oint, for example, to create or amend an automated vacation-re4uest process.
#nd because the actual definition of the process is not tied to the process designer, 30 and
others in the organi)ation can work together on the same process, using skill-appropriate
tools.
o, what %ou end up with is exactl% what %our organi)ation wantedC # process or
application that is pinpointed to the needs of @OD6 organi)ation.
#nd when the business needs change, process modifications are eas% and can be
implemented b% an%one.
K2 provides process designers in hare!oint, "isio and "isual tudio.