What Are K2 Tool Create Customize Design Maintain Sharepoint Workflows

In this post we will learn about the components of K2 for SharePoint and how the Data, Forms, Workflows and Reports elements work together to make up a K2 Application

K2 for SharePoint

K2 for SharePoint is a SharePoint App that integrates a K2 environment with a SharePoint 2013 Environment, enabling users to easily build, deploy and run customized business applications without writing code.
K2 for SharePoint makes it easy for technical and non-technical users alike to build Applications with customized Forms and powerful Workflows that can integrate with Data from back-end systems, and includes both standard and customizable Reports.

Components of K2 for SharePoint Application

1. Data

Data is K2 Application can take two forms: K2 SmartObjects and Workflow Data Fields

a. K2 Smart Objects :

K2 SmartObjects are essentially logical business entities that use connectors to integrate with various Line-Of-Business systems.
You can create SmartObjects by selectively exposing certain Lists and Libraries in SharePoint as SmartObjects

This conceptual diagram may help to understand the nature of K2 SmartObjects.

b. Workflow Data Fields:
Workflow Data Fields are variables that are designed as part of a workflow, and are typically used to store values that are only relevant to the workflow or the forms relating to that workflow.

2. Forms
Forms allow users to create, display, update or remove data in LOB systems through SmartObjects and interact with K2 workflows. Three types of forms can be used in K2 Applications:

Native SharePoint Forms
SmartForms, which are created using the web-based K2 Designer tool
Custom Forms (creating custom Forms is a developer task, but once the form is created and the URL shared with designers, they can easily use Custom Forms in their K2 workflows)

3. Workflows

Workflows are designed and deployed from either the K2 workflow web-based designer or K2 Studio/K2 Designer for Visual Studio. Workflows can utilize SmartObjects to interact with LOB systems and can also be integrated with the Forms used in the Application.

4. Reports

The standard K2 Reports page can be used to run reports and get information on the K2 workflows in your application. You may also use SmartForms to create custom reports that combine standard reporting controls with other LOB data.

The image below illustrates the relationship between the four elements that make up a K2 Application, and how People create, administer and use those elements to interact with the underlying Systems.