Comments on: BPM Think Tank: On-Demand BPM Vendor Panel

By: Avi Wasser

Avi Wasser — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:37:24 +0000

Saw some interesting BPM papers at the EIwN 2009 workshop. Coopis BTW, is a high quality event that presents innovative BPM ideas each year.
Liked the papers that discussed Architectures for Enterprise Integration through BPM Applications.

http://www.onthemove-conferences.org/index.php/program/ei2n

By: Avi Wasser

Avi Wasser — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:39:34 +0000

Additional info on multi-tenancy at http://www.processgene.com.
BR, Avi

By: Column 2 : Appian Analyst Update

Column 2 : Appian Analyst Update — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:00:50 +0000

[...] is the same sort of configuration approach adopted by Intalio, as discussed in the comments on a post that I wrote for the BPM Think Tank; there are many who would say that this is not multi-tenancy, it’s virtualization, and it [...]

By: Avi Wasser

Avi Wasser — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:13:31 +0000

Thanks Sandy.
I agree, multi-tenancy is indeed different than virtualization. I would go even further to say that locating an app-server on the Web rather than onsite or in a data-center does not automatically turns an app into SaaS. In my opinion, the optimal type of multi-tenancy is a function of the application it serves. For example- a CRM application that offers a similar vanilla offering to all customers would do well with a model in which one instance of the app serves all customers, on a single shared database. On the other hand, when it comes to world of ERP or BPM, the level of customer communality can be significantly lower, hence making the realization of multi-tenancy more challenging. Furthermore- as several customizations are often required, current architecture of ERP makes it rather challenging to implement changes only via metadata or user-fields, hence forming a potential limit future upgrades and updates.
To conclude- vendors can achieve significant advantages from multi-tenancy- if smartly deployed. As to end customers- this factor needs to be seamless, except for the cost that needs to be significantly reduced – in particular after the formation of current SaaS infrastructures. All the best, Avi.

By: Sandy Kemsley

Sandy Kemsley — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:57:43 +0000

Avi – I completely agree on your point about true multi-tenancy. A separate install on multiple virtual machines is not the same as multi-tenancy.

By: Avi Wasser

Avi Wasser — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:25:16 +0000

I agree there are some advantages to separate virtualized OS instances. Nevertheless, there are several other deployment options that can provide a higher level of flexibility in terms of customization- even per instance. Also- there is a significant difference between “real” multi-tenancy and separate installations on virtual machines.

By: Rusty Russel

Rusty Russel — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:57:49 +0000

I think that BPM on demand is an interesting feature that is now offered by companies like italio and appian. I do feel, however, that the demand for SaaS is so low that it really isn't worth it for companies to concentrate on it. If a business is going to spend the money on BPM implementation then why not host the servers in house? I found some interesting literature about SaaS online and was taken back by the emphasis, while the demand for these services is less than 5%. My corporation has implemented the Enterprise Process Center and we have seen great improvements in our Business Process Management. I suggest taking a look! (they do offer SaaS, might be useful!) They offer a free BPMN modeler that works as a plug-in with Microsoft Visio, very useful!

By: IT|Redux - On Multi Tenancy

IT|Redux - On Multi Tenancy — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:35:32 +0000

[...] the way OMG’s BPM Think Tank is evolving, and neither was Bruce Silver. Nevertheless, her remarks about Intalio’s participation in the BPM On Demand Panel are a bit [...]

By: Bino Jos

Bino Jos — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:04:11 +0000

Please use this one instead of the comment I posted before which had some errors!

Sandy,

I didnt think this was about crowing about our SaaS success from the rooftops! Anyway, this is what Intalio has done in the SaaS space.

1. Intalio|On Demand provides a hosted service for customers to execute process. The processes can be modeled in BPMN using Intalio|Designer than with a few clicks turned into executable BPEL that runs on our Amazon hosted server.

2. We run the process execution behind Coghead. Coghead provides developers with a web interface for building applications on demand. They have tens of thousands of processes defined. They use Intalio as the BPEL engine to coordinate those processes.

3. We are working with other companies (under NDA) to provide Business Process Outsourcing. These companies would host Intalio in the cloud and have their process experts work with their customers to define the process. The company would then develop and maintain the process for the customer where the customer would connect various enterprise applications with the process living in the cloud.

Hope this is lends some clarity to our prowess in the SaaS space.

By: Ismael Ghalimi

Ismael Ghalimi — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:03:06 +0000

Sandy,

Just for clarification, Intalio’s current on-demand deployment on Amazon EC2 is multi-tenant in the sense that multiple customers can be deployed on the same physical machine, while using separate virtualized OS instances. This is not only the most secure deployment option we know of, but also the one that provides the most flexibility in terms of customization.

Furthermore, you might be interested to take a look at the upcoming Intalio On Demand Edition that was announced in Japan yesterday:

http://itredux.com/2008/10/05/intalio-business-process-platform/

Best regards
-Ismael