Is it possible to create a psuedo-service using BPM?

[jpildave]

Hello,

I was wondering if it's possible to create a "service" using BPM in v9?  Here's my scenario: We are using a File Loader service that listens on a folder for incoming files.  As files are ingested by the File Loader service, it throws a flag that Metastorm catches, thus firing off a new folder and instantiating it into our process.

I am new to v9 and we are looking to re-architect our process using v9.  One piece is to determine if we can actually have this "File Loader service" inside of the process, as opposed to a separate custom component install (like we're doing it now).  Any ideas?  Is this even possible or should I move on to something else?

Thanks!

[Jerome҉]

I'm not sure the title is quite fitting.

You can certainly do that inside of Metastorm BPM, especially if it is a .net dll.

We typically use a plain process that scans a directory and does what is required, checking on a timed basis. In this way there is no need for an additional service or code. We've been doing it that way since version 5, so no change in version 9, apart from easier looping when multiple files are found.

[jpildave]

Jerome,

Thanks for the response. Let me see if I understand what you're saying: Simply call a .NET dll on a timed action and the dll could do something like return all files from folder D:\XYZ?

Our purpose is to streamline our entire installation and configuration by moving this piece into Metastorm, as opposed to doing a separate install and maintain the code elsewhere.

Also, in its current form, this is what starts our process and the flagged actions are coming off the clapperboard. How would I do this with a timed action? Was there a link you were trying to point me to at metastorm.processmapping.com.au?

[Jerome҉]

We would just use the standard Metastorm functions to get the directory listing - no need to go to .net. We can then easily control the timing etc in a Metastorm process. We have done this a great many times. Just a simple folder with a timed action set to a timed interval that checks a directory. The file is then read and moved (or deleted), and any flag you wish can be raised.

The link is just the one in my signature - this forum does not make that clear.