Just a quick posting about K2 and how they work with Sharepoint...
Over the past months, I have been exploring the best way to get workflows working at the firm. We have so many processes to tackle which is exciting. However, I want to go about it in the most efficient manner.
First, I started investigating Sharepoint's OOTB (out-of-the-box) workflows. In my opinion, they are good for basic workflows with an audience of more advanced users. I say advanced users because the email which is generated OOTB sucks and does not provide a one-touch solution to get the workflow completed. For example, I did a simple approval workflow against a document library with a Word document as its base content type. When my manager got the email to complete the approval, he clicked on the first link in the email and resubmitted the form. The step to actually click Approve or Decline is buried on the edit task page. So, I set out to edit the email to provide a clear cut link to the Edit Task page. I found out it can't be done OOTB.
Second and third, after my experience with OOTB, I moved on to Sharepoint Designer (SPD) and Visual Studio. Definitely, this is a more advanced way to get workflows done. The problems I had were with unexplained errors cropping up here and there. I started my learning of how to use these tools by reading a few excellent books, Workflow in the 2007 Microsoft Office System, Pro InfoPath 2007, and Microsoft Sharepoint - Building Office 2007 Solutions in C# 2005 (the last book being the best one). However, even with the excellent examples in these books, I still had problems with these tools and creating workflows.
It seems that with workflows and using MS products they are either "too generic/easy to create" or "very specific/very difficult" to create.
I decided to try out K2. At this point, I have been able to build a workflow, but have not tried to tailor the email yet (due to time constraints/project deadlines). But, I can say they have been extremely helpful. They have a good group of tech support people. I did run into some installation errors, but they had to do with permissions, patches, etc. Once it got working, it has been really cool to use.
I'll post some more about K2 as I go through more of my trial. We'll see if the firm eventually purchases this product, but I am leaning that way at this point.