Item: Alfresco
Rating: 7
Author: Vinay Damle

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Alfresco Activiti is used as a BPMN modeling tool. Around 1000+ business process models are created using the same tool and [are] deployed. For the different types of requests, the respective workflows are invoked and manual tasks are created for various roles. Along with manual handling of tasks the auto-escalation and auto-close features are also used.

Pros and Cons

Creates tasks based on the roles configured in workflow
Tasks can be auto-escalated and auto-closed based on timer configuration
From workflows the external APIs can be invoked

REST calls should be improved in terms of configuration like scheduling the API call
No option to invoke legacy SOAP Apis
Even for minor issues the entire BPMN model needs to be shared with support team
The documentation needs a lot of improvement especially for activiti micro service adoption

Return on Investment

Needed manual tasks creation and escalation, it provided the solution
Easy integration with the tool from various micro-services
Documentation and deployment needs improvement

Alternatives Considered

Oracle BPM Suite, Camunda Platform and IBM Business Process Manager

The integration is very easy and can be done with minimal time. The features like sending email, inbuilt integration with CAMEl, MULE, BOX, etc. In addition to this, the adoption of activiti-7 (the microservice version) wins the race against other tools. As the infrastructure and application modules can be deployed independently.

Key Insights

Do you think Alfresco delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Alfresco's feature set?

Yes

Did Alfresco live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Alfresco go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Alfresco again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Oracle BPM Suite

Likelihood to Recommend

Easy integration with the external APIs Workflows can be invoked via REST call Wonderful swagger documentation for process REST APIs REST, MULE, CAMEL, Google Drive, and Box features are available with Alfresco Process Services The micro-service version deployment should be well documented and needs improvement

Usability

Very easy to integrate, can be invoked via simple REST API call

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Easy to use Well integrated Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	Requires technical support

Easy Tasks

Model creation in BPMN modeller
Sending email using the BPMN tool feature
Timer based task auto-escalation and auto-close feature

Difficult Tasks

Using script task
Using decision tables
No option to invoke SOAP Api like the way REST can be invoked

Alfresco Activiti - The most advanced, rich in features and easily integrated BPMN tool

Overall Satisfaction with Alfresco Process Services