Google Workflows
Author: Ronald Fung
Creation Date: 15 June 2023
Next Modified Date: 15 June 2024
A. Introduction
Combine Google Cloud services and APIs to build reliable applications, process automation, and data and machine learning pipelines.
New customers get $300 in free credits to spend on Workflows. All customers get 5,000 steps and 2,000 external API calls per month, not charged against your credits.
Deploy and execute a Workflow that connects a series of services together with this tutorial
Reliably automate processes that include waiting and retries for up to one year
Implement real-time processing with low-latency, event-driven executions
B. How is it used at Seagen
Google Workflows is a cloud-based service that enables businesses to automate complex workflows and build seamless integrations across different applications and services. Here are some ways that Seagen can use Google Workflows to automate workflows and streamline integrations:
Workflow Automation: Seagen can use Google Workflows to automate complex workflows across different applications and services. This can help to improve operational efficiency and reduce the need for manual intervention.
Integration with Third-Party Services: Google Workflows integrates well with third-party services, such as Salesforce and Slack. Seagen can use these integrations to build more complex workflows and automate more tasks.
Customizable Workflow Management: Google Workflows provides customizable workflow management options, such as setting up conditional statements and loops. Seagen can use these options to ensure that workflows are executed correctly and efficiently.
Error Handling: Google Workflows provides error handling options, such as retrying failed workflows and logging errors. Seagen can use these options to ensure that workflows are executed correctly and to troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Integration with Other Google Services: Google Workflows integrates well with other Google Cloud services, such as Google Cloud Functions and Google Cloud Storage. Seagen can use these integrations to build more complex workflows and automate more tasks.
By using Google Workflows, Seagen can automate workflows across different applications and services, improve operational efficiency, and reduce the risk of errors and downtime. Google Workflows provides a range of customizable workflow management options and integrates well with other Google Cloud services, making it a powerful tool for automating workflows and building seamless integrations.
C. Features
Reliable workflow execution
Call any service, from Cloud Functions or Cloud Run to private and third-party APIs. Connectors make Google Cloud services particularly easy to use by taking care of request formatting, retries and waiting to complete long-running operations.
Powerful execution control
Use expressions and functions to transform response data and prepare request inputs. Automate conditions based on input and service responses. Specify retry policies and error handling. Wait for asynchronous operations and events with polling and callbacks.
Pay per use
Only pay when workflows take steps.
D. Where Implemented
E. How it is tested
Testing Google Workflows involves verifying that workflows are executed as expected and that they meet the desired performance and reliability requirements. Here are some steps you can take to test Google Workflows:
Define Workflows: Define the workflows for your application, such as automating data processing or triggering API calls. Create the necessary configurations and parameters needed for the workflow to be executed.
Execute Workflows: Execute the workflows and verify that they are executed as expected. This can include checking that the workflow is executed on time, that it completes successfully, and that any output or results are generated as expected.
Monitor Performance: Monitor the performance of the executed workflows to ensure that they are stable, accurate, and performing as expected. This can include monitoring workflow execution time, performance metrics, and other workflow-specific metrics.
Perform A/B Testing: Perform A/B testing to compare the performance of different workflow management options and ensure that they meet the desired performance thresholds.
Troubleshoot and Debug: If any issues arise during testing, troubleshoot and debug the problem to identify the root cause and resolve the issue.
By following these steps, you can test Google Workflows and ensure that your workflows are executed as expected and meet the desired performance and reliability requirements. It’s important to regularly test your workflows to ensure that they remain accurate, effective, and reliable and to avoid costly errors or downtime.
F. 2023 Roadmap
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G. 2024 Roadmap
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H. Known Issues
While Google Workflows is a powerful tool for automating workflows and building seamless integrations, there are some known issues or limitations that you should be aware of. Here are some common issues with Google Workflows:
Limited Customization: While Google Workflows provides tools for building and managing workflows, the customization options may be limited for more complex workflows. It’s important to review the customization options and ensure that they meet the specific needs of your application.
Cost: Google Workflows is a paid service, and the cost can increase significantly for businesses with large or complex workflow automation needs. It’s important to review the pricing structure and estimate the cost of the service for your specific needs.
Limited Integration with Non-Google Services: While Google Workflows integrates well with other Google services, it may not integrate with all third-party services or tools. It’s important to review the integration options and ensure that all necessary integrations are supported.
Limited Debugging Options: Google Workflows provides limited debugging options, which can make it difficult to troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise during workflow execution.
Limited Workflow Execution Time: Google Workflows has a maximum workflow execution time of 7 days, which may not be sufficient for more complex workflows. It’s important to review the workflow execution time and ensure that it meets the specific needs of your application.
It’s important to be aware of these limitations and issues when using Google Workflows. By understanding these challenges, you can better ensure that your workflow automation processes remain reliable and efficient and avoid costly errors or downtime.
[x] Reviewed by Enterprise Architecture
[x] Reviewed by Application Development
[x] Reviewed by Data Architecture