webMethods adds rules engine to integration suite

Offering flexibility in business rules implementation, webMethods this week is announcing plans to include an embedded rules engine in it its Fabric business integration software suite.

Components of Fair Isaac Blaze Advisor will comprise the rules engine in an upcoming version of Fabric. With the integration, business rules implementation is extended to business users, rather than just being the domain of developers, said Gary So, vice president of strategic marketing at webMethods

Currently, business rules, such as parts of a loan approval process, would be hard-coded by developers. Now, end-users can change rules themselves without having to make requests to IT, said So.

“It doesn’t have to be [only] developers anymore” that can address business rules, So said.

Fair Isaac provides an externalized rules engine in which rules are stored in a central repository for reuse, said Shawn Willett, principal analyst at Current Analysis. “The benefit is that you can better keep track of rules in a central area,” Willett said.

“It’s easier for developers within a company to reference what’s already been done. It’s a timesaver,” he said.

webMethods is not the fist company to offer a rules engine, Willett noted. Microsoft has one in its BizTalk technology, for example, he said.

Fabric provides connectivity between systems in a process, such as connecting order entry systems to an ERP application. The suite has components for integration, business processes, and business activities as well as a component application framework. Originally based on proprietary connectivity technology, Fabric has used Web services at its core for the past several versions, according to webMethods. 

Willett offered a good prognosis for webMethods as a pure-play integration vendor. “They have a pretty good understanding of what an SOA is,” he said.

Earlier in the week, webMethods announced a strategic solution area that the company is calling Demand Driven solutions. The goal is to help manufacturers and retailers meet order delivery timeframes through unification of existing ERP packages via Fabric. webMethods will provide tools, templates, and information about key performance indicators to customers. The effort will focus on demand fulfillment monitoring and sales and operations planning.