Criteria-Workflow to start BPEL-Process

Question

Hi,
I'm currently building a proof of concept for a wokflow-implementation using WCC and Oracle SOA/BPM-Suite. Therefore I've activated the BpelIntegration component of WCC and set it up as described in http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E21764_01/doc.1111/e16759/c03_config_ucm_bpel002.htm.
However I'm a bit confused of the meaning of the users I assign to the criteria-workflow (according to http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E21764_01/doc.1111/e16759/c04_config_cs001.htm).
I've assigned an "Additional Exit Condition" with the rule "wfGet("conversationId") and obIsInstanceClosed("process_3", wfGet("conversationId"))".
As far as I understand this, I must at least assign one user. If I then choose to say at least 0 (Zero!) approvers, I've got the following behavior: The BPEL-Process is started, however the the WCC-Workflow ends immediately. There is no waiting for my additional exit-condition.
If I choose 1 approver, the workflow waits for both the BPEL-Instance to get closed and the assigned user to approve.
Is there an easy way to wait for the BPEL-Instance to close but not for the user to manually approve? I thought of doing the approve programmatically using WCC-Webservices from my BpelProcess, however this is not really what I would like to do. The reason I'm asking for this is that this would allow it to do the more document-centric parts of the WF in the Criteria Workflow while doing the approval itself completely in BPEL.
Any best practices or hints regarding this? Or is there some additional documentation or samples? The only doc I found is the "Oracle® Fusion Middleware BPEL Component Guide for Content Server" that doesn't cover much details.
Regards,
Johannes

Answer 1

Hi Johannes,
I understand your point. To clarify I will guide you a bit through history.
At Stellent times, prior to acquisition, native workflows (criteria and basic) were the only OOTB mechanism to implement workflows. Note that unlike BPEL and now even BPM workflows, native workflows have also impact on items behavior in the system - the item has a special status (REVIEW, not DONE or RELEASED), is not searchable, etc. The obvious disadvantages of native workflows are:
- they are old fashioned (no graphical design)
- they are proprietary (for everything, but the linear flow you need an idocscript)
Also, at the time of acquisition, Oracle had more than 10 workflows engines. Therefore, shortly after that it has been announced that WCC (UCM at that time) will contain restricted use of BPEL PM (the BPEL runtime engine + free JDeveloper for design) to enrich workflow design/runtime experience. There are two possible ways of usage:
- the way you described (start a criteria workflow, handover to BPEL and somehow synchronize the two), or
- you do everything in BPEL and call UCM via web services. Note that this way you lose the status-related functionality
I would not dare to comment on best practices, but it seems that in reality you have two options:
- call a web service from BPEL (at the end of BPEL workflow) to approve/exit the native workflow
- set a flag (also via a web service) and on the UCM side implement an idocscript (most likely Additional Exit Condition) to auto-approve the workflow, or process to the next step, if you will
Note that the way when you do everything in either WCC, or BPEL has another reason: WCC native workflows have its own GUI, and BPEL worklists are not OOTB integrated into WCC's interface. This has changed already, since introducing the umbrella WebCenter concept. Note, however, that the front-end product where these two meet is WebCenter Portal, not WebCenter Content.
Furthermore, for about a year ago Unified BPM Suite, which is the flag ship in BPM for Oracle, has become a part of WCC license. I did some survey on this point and it seems it's not easy (if possible at all) to bind criteria workflows with BPM ones. There is, however, a referential presentation which demonstrates how to add a document(no statuses, no workflows in WCC) to a BPM process, and this seems to be the way (no guarantee!) where the products aim.
I have also noticed that whilst in PS5 ( http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E21764_01/ecm.htm ) the BPEL Component manual is still present, in PS6 ( http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E23943_01/webcontent.htm ) it has disappeared.
I am eager to hear the news from product management.