Using SharePoint Designer 2010 to create effective workflows
One of the significant purposes of using SharePoint is to automate the business run by the individual or the organisation. With the help of SharePoint 2010 and its multiple functionalities, this has become easier to conduct. We are talking about the feature of Workflows here.
In order to implement workflows in a SharePoint website, the user has to abide by the following four ways:

 

1. An easy and fantastic way to initiate the process of making workflows is by using the browser and the built in templates. This does not involve using any other tools except the browser.
2. SharePoint Designer 2010, available for free in the market, helps in creating workflows that are powerful and comprehensive with the help of using features such as creation of list items, process of sending emails, document duplication and many such other features. These workflows are easy to use and understand and can be handed over to the business owners and users as per requirement.
3. Visual Studio is another feature for creating workflows. It is a powerful and flexible tool and requires proper knowledge and understanding of how Visual Studio functions and programs. If workflows are created using this feature, the user might be required to manage them as well.
4. The workflow building tools can be bought from external vendors as well in form of package bundles. Some of them are available in affordable rates as well.

Out of the above mentioned four ways, using SharePoint Designer 2010 is a convenient and powerful way of creating effective workflows.
To create effective workflows in SharePoint websites, the Workflow Designer feature in SharePoint 2010 is used. Workflows are mainly used by the site admins, the main lead designers of the site and the other main users. There are three main types of workflows that are created and used by the above mentioned people.

a. List Workflow: This type of workflow is used directly with a list or may be a library created on the website. This workflow is mainly used on a specific list or a library that may not be used again later.

b. Reusable Workflow: Contrasting to how List Workflow works, this type of workflow is designed for reusability. In this type of workflow, multiple lists/libraries or other content types within the existing list or the library in the website are used, keeping in mind that may be used again.

c. Site Workflow: There are a few workflows that are required to work on the website itself. These do not need to be attached to any existing list or library. This type of workflow is more ideal in cases where the user is not restricted to the usage of the automated process of the list or the library created in the site.

As mentioned earlier, SharePoint Designer 2010 byAdapt-india.com is available for free and the reason behind this decision is that Microsoft wanted the users to use the software in full capacity and not get restricted due to price barriers. In order to customise and extend the use of SharePoint, people will find it easier to use SharePoint Designer rather than doing much in the web browser or taking the programming route.