JBPM - Opentaps 1.x Integration Prototype

From Opentaps Wiki

To get started with BPM we decided to investigate how to integrate an existing BPM implementation, jBPM, with opentaps 1.4. As jBPM 4 is scheduled for release in July 2009 we decided to use beta 2 version for this prototype (latest jBPM build available at the time of this writing).

For the communication between opentaps and jBPM we use Apache Tuscany 1.5 SCA ESB. The SCA bidirectional interface provides a direct call and a callback interface; jBPM can call opentaps and opentaps can fire events (callbacks) to jBPM.

Apache Tuscany is deployable as a set of OSGi bundles; we will embed Apache Felix OSGi runtime in opentaps and we will deploy Apache Tuscany as OSGi bundles. This will further enhance the extensibility options for opentaps.

We will implement the following business process: The sales person creates a quote. if the quote price (QP) is up to 5% below recommended retail price (QRRP) then she can submit the quote to customer otherwise she needs manager approval. The quote is converted to order and send to manufacturing after the customer deposited 50% of quoted price.

Main scenario looks like this:

• sales person: creates quote
• if QP < 95% QRRP
  • manager: approves quote
• else
  • BPM: approves quote automatically
• accounts receivable: receives 50% QP deposit
• accounts receivable: convert quote to order

The steps are:

• opentaps: fires an event to jBPM when a new quote is created (passing QP and QRRP to jBPM)
• jBPM: if QP < 95% QRRP
  • jBPM: assign quote to manager for approval
• jBPM: assign quote to accounts receivable officer to monitor for 50% QP deposit
• accounts receivable officer: updates jBPM when 50% QP is received
• jBPM: calls opentaps to convert quote to order

Relevant information can be found at:

• Apache Tuscany SCA / ESB
• INTRODUCING SCA
• Using Tuscany in JEE Web Applications
• Create A SCA Distributed Application
• Tuscany Web Application based Integration with Geronimo
• Modularizing Existing Web Applications With OSGi: A Migration Path to OSGi
• OSGi Aware Programming in Tuscany : Apache Tuscany
• Apache Felix Framework Launching and Embedding
• OSGi Book Preview
• A Closer Look - OSGi Enablement for Tuscany 2.0

The Prototype

Details about my investigations are coming soon ...