Fujitsu unveils Java-based workflow development platform

Fujitsu Software has unveiled a new Web-based workflow development platform targeted at ISVs and VARs. i-Flow includes a workflow engine, an SDK, a Java-based architecture and a browser interface. A graphical programming design tool lets non-technical personnel lay out process templates for automating sophisticated processes, and change the templates as processes evolve. i-Flow also has Adapter Objects, Java-based source code with APIs that can integrate with existing infrastructure such as document management systems, relational databases, light-weight directory access protocol (LDAP) services, and scripting languages. Additionally, i-Flow offers workflow access via wireless handheld devices like pagers and digital smart phones.

"Without the baggage seen with older approaches, i-Flow is well positioned to address the burgeoning new market for horizontal process automation solutions and the workflow-enablement of enterprise applications," said Delphi Group senior analyst Nathanial Palmer.

San Francisco-based workflow VAR XIS Consulting plans to use i-Flow's workflow engine as a foundation for its own branded products, according to VP James Davies. "The Adapter Objects and APIs that come with i-Flow save us hundreds of man-hours in writing code, which means less costly implementation for our customers and more manageable projects for us."

"i-Flow is designed to help businesses evolve their end-to-end processes ahead of their competitors," summed Sandeep Tiwari, i-Flow's director of product management and marketing at Fujitsu.

Scheduled to ship this month, i-Flow scales up to 10,000 profiled users on Windows NT and Sun Solaris environments. Pricing is $25,000 for a 25 profiled user license, and $50,000 for a 100 profiled user license with unlimited support for anonymous users