Simon Barratt

Microsoft Redefines Workflow With Windows Workflow Foundation

Today at the Professional Developers Conference2005 (PDC05), Microsoft Corp. introduced Windows® Workflow Foundation, a workflow engine, programming model and set of tools for developers to rapidly build workflow-enabled applications. Windows Workflow Foundation is a set of activities that coordinate people and software. With it, Microsoft is redefining workflow by incorporating it into a mainstream development platform and supporting both human and system workflow across client and server scenarios. Workflow capabilities will be available to developers via WinFX™, the new programming model for Windows Vista™. Developers can workflow-enable applications using the familiar and popular Visual Studio® development tools. Microsoft also announced plans to use Windows Workflow Foundation to workflow-enable the next version of Microsoft® Office products, code-named Office “12,” BizTalk® Server and Microsoft Dynamics™.

Will this be the glue that finally allows you to develop applications that allows you to move processes from people to people throughout the organisation without having to build the engine first?  Yet another attempt from Microsoft to got after that elusive Lotus Notes area of functionality.  WinFX - where have I heard that before????  Oh yes, NotesFX.