Week 4: "Using Workflow to Save Time and Money"

Many Users of SharePoint have started to store and share information in SharePoint sites long before they realize that Workflow exists.  Workflow in SharePoint can be many things, just to mention a few:

1. Routing Information:  Create a workflow that invites others to review or comment on documents when they are created.  Save time passing around emails that say "please review and provide comments"; instead let SharePoint notify your reviewers.
2. Distributing Information:  Workflow can be used to copy and paste documents or information to other document libraries or lists.  Or you can choose to forward specific documents or meta-data by email.  For instance, you can create a form that collects the information from new employees, and then on submission saves that information in your SharePoint site.  Afterwards you can use Workflow to forward it to both the security group for the badge and the facilities group for a new desk automatically on submission.
3. A System of Updating Lists:  Workflow can watch for changes to items in a list, and based on a specific condition, update another list for you when things change.
4. Custom Workflow:  Workflow can be designed to customer specifications.  So you are mostly open to what you can imagine.  Limitations revolve around the fact that you cannot do cross-domain or cross-site actions.  Some of those limitations go away when you create your custom workflow using Visual Studio or more advanced partner applications like K2.net.

Learn more about workflow here:

OOB SharePoint Workflow

SharePoint Designer Workflow

Visio Studio Workflow

K2.Net

If your company is looking to save time and money using Workflow, please contact Xtreme for Consultants who can help plan and build your implementation.  See you next week.