tags:

views:

10

answers:

1
Q: 

SharePoint Workflow and starting EXE file

I'd like to create a SharePoint 2010 workflow that calls and EXE file and waits for the file to execute and then perform some actions. I can't seem to find any references to calling and EXE file or any other program from a SharePoint Workflow. Can I accomplish this in Sharepoint Designer? If so, how?

Thanks.

A: 

I don't think it is possible to call an EXE file directly from a workflow. The closest thing supported by WF is communication with local services. However, it is complicated and definitely cannot be done in SharePoint Designer.

Marek Grzenkowicz  2010-10-12 20:07:36
Thanks for the reply Marek. The EXE file downloads TAB delimited files via FTP and imports the data into a SQL Server DB.
August Blaze  2010-10-13 14:44:45
@August Blaze If you're up to some custom coding, it's something that can be done inside a custom workflow activity or even better two separate activities - first for FTP communication (you can also consider buying this one - 3rd party solutions exist) and second to import the data.
Marek Grzenkowicz  2010-10-13 20:32:39

related questions

Best Practices: Storing a workflow state of an item in a database?
What are your experiences with Windows Workflow Foundation?
Serializing versioned workflows using Microsoft WF
How can I troubleshoot Sharepoint workflows?
jBPM, concurrent execution and process variables
When to use Windows Workflow Foundation?
Why are we still using compiler command lines?
Windows workflow..
Do you know a Bulked/Batched Flows Library for C#
Creating a workflow task generates an "Invalid field name" error
What are the best resources for Windows Workflow Foundation (WF)?
Should I use a state machine or a sequence workflow in WF?
Is Asp.net and Windows Workflow good combination?
Java Open Source Workflow Engines
Flexible compiler pipeline definitions...
MS WF state machine workflows and MS CRM Dynamics 4.0
Looking up document library items in a SharePoint workflow
Implementing a custom Windows Workflow activity that executes an asynchronous operation
Alternatives to Windows Workflow Foundation?
What's the best way to report errors from a SharePoint workflow?
How to get out parameters working in SharePoint workflows
How do I create a workflow instance reliably based on an external event?
What OSS project should I look at if I need to do Spring friendly WorkFlow?
How can I improve the edit-compile-test loop when developing a SharePoint workflow?
What is the difference between a bug and a change request in MSF for CMMI?