Introduction to Oracle BPEL Process ManagerBPEL is an XML-based language for enabling task sharing across multiple enterprises using a combination of Web services. BPEL is based on the XML schema, simple object access protocol (SOAP), and Web services description language (WSDL). BPEL provides enterprises with an industry standard for business process orchestration and execution. Using BPEL, you design a business process that integrates a series of discrete services into an end-to-end process flow. This integration reduces process cost and complexity. The BPEL language enables you to define how to:• Send XML messages to, and asynchronously receive XML messages from, remote services• Manipulate XML data structures• Manage events and exceptions• Design parallel flows of process execution• Undo portions of processes when exceptions occur

What Is Oracle BPEL Process Manager?Oracle BPEL Process Manager provides a framework for easily designing, deploying, monitoring, and administering processes based on BPEL standards. Oracle BPEL Process Manager provides support for the following features: Web service standards such as XML, SOAP, and WSDL Dehydration (enables the states of long-running processes to be automatically maintained in a database) and correlation of asynchronous messages Service-oriented architecture (SOA) Parallel processing of tasks Fault handling and exception management during both design time and run time Event timeouts and notifications Compensation mechanisms for the implementation of long-running transactions Scalability and reliability of processes Management and administration of processes Version control Audit trails for tracing business flow history Installation on multiple operating systems and integration with multiple application servers (for example, Oracle Application Server, BEA WebLogic, and JBoss)

and databases. Oracle BPEL Process Manager adds value and ease of use to BPEL functionality by providing support for the following in JDeveloper BPEL Designer: Transformations, workflows, worklists, notifications, and sensors Technology adapters (file, FTP, database, advanced queuing (AQ), Java Messaging Service (JMS), and Oracle Applications for Oracle E-Business Suite) Third-party adapters, including J.D. Edwards OneWorld, PeopleSoft, SAP R/3, Siebel, Tuxedo, CICS, VSAM, IMS/TM, and IMS/DB

Oracle BPEL Process Manager can also be integrated with Oracle Business Activity Monitoring, Oracle Application Server Portal, Oracle Workflow, Oracle Application Server Integration B2B, and Oracle Application Server Integration InterConnect.

What Is the BPEL Designer? Oracle BPEL Process Manager provides support for two types of BPEL

designer environments for graphically designing BPEL processes: JDeveloper BPEL Designer Eclipse BPEL Designer You design BPEL processes by dragging and dropping elements (known

as activities) into the process and editing their property pages. This eliminates the need to write BPEL code. You integrate BPEL processes with external services (known as partner links). You also use wizards to integrate adapters and services such as workflows, transformations, notifications, sensors, and worklist task management with the process. Both BPEL designers can deploy the developed processes directly to Oracle BPEL Console. This facilitates the development and maintenance of BPEL processes.