IBM Embraces BPM 2.0 Model
Friday, August 11th 2006 | Ismael Ghalimi
Following Oracle, IBM moved on a fast track to adopt the BPM 2.0 model with its proposed acquisition of FileNet. As co-author of the BPEL specification, and one of the first companies to support it within at least one of its products, IBM has a vested interest in BPEL. And while support for BPMN within FileNet’s product line is not entirely clear, FileNet’s Software Architect Mike Marin has always been a strong supporter for the specification, as can be seen with this tutorial released earlier this year.
To be fair, IBM has also been a strong advocate for the BPMN specification, for the specification was authored by no other than one of its BPM architects, Stephen White. Also, IBM appears on the list of official supporters for the BPMN specification maintained by the OMG. While it is not entirely clear whether IBM’s WBI Modeler actually supports the BPMN specification, it’s pretty clear to me that FiletNet’s acquisition will only strengthen IBM’s support for what is today the only well-accepted standard for modeling business processes.
Nevertheless, IBM remains IBM, and it’s also clear that it will support pretty much everything that is available out there, XPDL included. The real question then becomes how and when IBM will offer Zero Code and One Click Deploy capabilities with the WebSphere product line. Doing so for IBM should be significantly more difficult than it will be for Oracle, for IBM Software Group is divided into multiple business units (DB2, Lotus, Tivoli, WebSphere, etc.). Nevertheless, I have spent enough time with IBM executives like Mary Wieck to know that the desire to offer such a capability is there, and it’s only a matter of time before IBM finds a way to put all the pieces together.
Next in line for BPM 2.0? SAP, of course. Stay tuned…
Entry filed under: BPM 2.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I don’t really see how IBM adding another product that competes with it’s BPM offering across the board and also has been cited for a “complete lack of standards” in the Design category according to the Forrester Human Centric BPM Wave 2006 really helps their position. Though FileNet has recently added some standards support in their latest release, they clearly are behind in standards adoption.
And while I am sure there is a desire for IBM to get to a zero-code architecture with one-click deploy, the fact that IBM has so many products loosely linked together make them one of the weakest BPM vendors in these two specific regards.
Like Sandy Kemsley I am speechless.
An architect’s desire does not a product make.
Trevor,
I think it brings BPM and SOA together, while helping clarify the market, through massive consolidation. One should never underestimate IBM’s ability to execute on this front. If the way the application server market evolved over the past five years is any indication, I would say that IBM’s prospects for BPM are pretty bright. And the adoption of standards — BPMN and BPEL among them — will play a key role in this, hence my post.
This buying confirms real life experience in implementation of enterprise systems — you need three basic technologies: BPM (executable processes), SOA (standard-based integration), and ECM (human and document parts of the business). Obviously, Lotus Notes was too weak for ECM.
Maybe Intalio will team-up with Plone for example?
-AS
ECM can bring value to customers even if it not BPEL/BPMN compliant. This is a smart move because documents and content management are important aspects of modern business processes. I think that the question in not how much BPEL and BPMN they can integrate, as much as how much Wiki, ATOM and Office 2.0 they can integrate. ECM can remain BPEL-less, and simply integrated using service interfaces.
Alexander,
We very well might. Alfresco would be another interesting candidate.
Edwin,
Good points. I think both approaches would be very valuable indeed.
Yep… I’d like to see a combination of Intalio & Alfresco as a “human-centric” BPM suite. Combined with XForms and Office 2.0, it would be a real killer infrastructure to create new applications — and customize current ones.
Clayton,
I could not agree more. This is the vision. By the way, Alfresco will be at the Office 2.0 Conference, so I expect interesting discussions to be held along these lines during the event.
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed
Leave a Comment