Nected vs. Microsoft Rule Engine: A Comprehensive Comparison

In today's fast-paced world of software development, there's a need for tools that help make decisions quickly and efficiently. Imagine a tool that acts like a smart assistant, helping businesses decide what to do next based on their rules. This is where rule engines come in.

One well-known tool in this area is the Microsoft Rules Engine. Think of it as a sophisticated set of tools that helps businesses automate their decision-making. It's like having a really efficient helper in the office that knows all the rules of the business and applies them perfectly every time.

But there's a new player in town called Nected. Nected's Rule Engine is designed to make things even easier and faster. It's like having an even smarter assistant that not only knows the rules but also helps you change them quickly and easily when needed, without needing to be a tech wizard.

Both these tools aim to make life easier for businesses by helping them make decisions quickly and accurately, based on the rules they set. Let's dive deeper into what they offer and how they compare.

Understanding Microsoft Rules Engine

The Microsoft Rules Engine is like a complex machine with several important parts, each playing a crucial role in decision-making:

1. Ruleset Executor (The Inference Engine): This is the heart of the system. Imagine it as the brain that reads and understands all the rules. It takes a look at each rule, figures out which ones are relevant at the moment, and then applies them.
2. Ruleset Translator: This part acts like a translator. It takes the rules, which are written in a way humans can understand, and turns them into a format that the machine, or the Ruleset Executor, can work with.
3. Rule Set Tracking Interceptor: Think of this as the observer. It keeps an eye on what the Ruleset Executor is doing. It's particularly useful when you need to check on the system's performance or troubleshoot issues.

Understanding the Workflow through a Three-Stage Algorithm

The workflow of the Microsoft Rules Engine can be seen as a three-step process:

1. Match Stage: Here, the engine starts by looking at all the information it has and checks which rules apply. It's like sifting through a bunch of puzzle pieces and finding the ones that fit the current situation.
2. Conflict Resolution Stage: Sometimes, more than one rule might seem applicable. This stage is about deciding which rule fits the best. It's like having multiple solutions to a problem and figuring out the most suitable one.
3. Action Stage: After choosing the right rule, it's time to put it into action. This stage is about doing what the rule says, whether it’s sending an email, updating a record, or anything else the rule is designed to do.

Microsoft Rules Engine works as a comprehensive, intelligent system that helps businesses automate their decision-making process. It carefully evaluates, selects, and applies rules to make efficient and accurate decisions based on the specific requirements of the situation.

Microsoft Rules Engine: Components and Workflow

The Business Rule Engine, a key component of the Microsoft Rules Engine, stands as a sophisticated infrastructure for executing rule sets. It operates as a dynamic execution context, orchestrating the evaluation of conditions and the execution of actions based on predefined rules. To comprehend its functionality, it's essential to delve into the core components that make up this engine.

Microsoft Rules Engine in Action

In the Microsoft Rules Engine, rules are expressed in a way that's easy for both technical and non-technical people to understand. This approach is known as 'declarative'. Instead of describing step-by-step how a decision should be made (like in traditional programming), it simply states what the desired outcome is under certain conditions.

For instance, a rule in a bank's loan processing system might be written as: “If the applicant's income is less than 30% of the loan amount, then decline the loan application.” This format makes rules transparent and easy to understand for everyone involved, from developers to business analysts.

Working Memory and Agenda Dynamics

1. Working Memory: Think of working memory as a storage area where all the current information (or 'facts') relevant to the rules is kept. As the engine processes rules, it adds, removes, or modifies these facts. For example, when processing a loan application, the working memory might contain facts about the applicant's income, credit score, and the amount of the loan.‍
2. Agenda: The agenda is a dynamic list of all the rules that are currently applicable based on the facts in the working memory. When a fact in the working memory triggers a rule, that rule gets added to the agenda. For example, if an applicant's income changes and now meets the criteria for a certain rule, that rule is added to the agenda for processing.

Example Rules: Evaluating Income and Credit Rating

Let's look at two example rules to see how they work in action:\

1. Rule for Evaluating Income:

Creating Rules in Nected: An Example

To illustrate how Nected can handle a rule-making scenario, let's consider the same example used for Microsoft Rules Engine - evaluating an applicant's income for a loan application. In Nected:

1. Rule Setup: Using the no-code editor, the user can quickly define a rule, such as "If Applicant.Income / Loan.Amount < 0.3, then Decline Loan Application".
2. Data Integration: Nected's seamless database integration allows the rule to directly interact with the relevant applicant data.
3. Complex Logic Handling: Nected supports various rule types, including 'SimpleRule' for straightforward if/then/else logic, 'DecisionTable' for scenarios requiring evaluation of multiple variables, and 'Ruleset' for managing a collection of rules.
4. Rule Components: A Nected rule consists of input sources, conditions, output data, and actions. This structure enables users to define the logic, specify the output, and determine the subsequent actions to be taken based on the rule outcome.

Overall, Nected's Rule Engine offers a more intuitive and flexible approach compared to the Microsoft Rules Engine, making it an appealing alternative for businesses seeking efficient rule processing capabilities.

Nected vs. Microsoft Rule engine

In the evolving landscape of rule engines, a comparative analysis between Nected and the Microsoft Rules Engine unveils distinct features and advantages. The table below highlights key aspects, providing insights into their respective strengths.

Use Case	Salesforce Business Rule Engine	Nected
Automating Decision-Making	Specialized in automating decisions within Salesforce, like eligibility for discounts.	Offers automation beyond Salesforce, ideal for diverse system environments.
Implementing Business Logic	Implements logic specifically within Salesforce, e.g., handling specific order sizes.	Flexible in applying business logic across multiple platforms and systems.
Enforcing Policies	Enforces policies within Salesforce applications, such as mandatory email verification.	Potentially enforces policies more broadly across various software environments.
Personalizing Customer Experiences	Personalizes experiences within Salesforce, like product recommendations based on history.	Could provide integrated customer experience personalization across various apps.
Managing Risk	Manages risk related to sensitive data within Salesforce, controlling data access.	Offers risk management features potentially extending to a wider range of apps.

In summary, Nected's Rule Engine distinguishes itself with its no-code, low-code advantage and a focus on rapid development, aligning closely with the goal of iterating and releasing faster. On the other hand, the Microsoft Rules Engine, while powerful and versatile, may require a more traditional coding approach and is well-suited for users with a deeper technical understanding. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs, expertise, and preferences of the development team.

Conclusion

The comparison between Nected and Microsoft Rules Engine highlights how each caters to different needs in the world of rule-based systems. Nected's Rule Engine, with its no-code, low-code approach, offers an accessible and swift development process, making it ideal for users seeking rapid development cycles and flexible integration with databases and APIs. Its user-friendly interface and ability to rapidly iterate on custom use cases make it a standout choice for a broad range of applications.

Conversely, the Microsoft Rules Engine, while requiring more technical expertise, provides a robust and versatile environment, especially well-suited for systematic policy execution and for those comfortable with a traditional coding approach.

For those looking to streamline their decision-making processes and enhance efficiency, exploring Nected's Rule Engine could be a transformative step. Its intuitive design and rapid development capabilities offer a practical, efficient solution in the evolving landscape of automated decision-making. Dive into the world of Nected and experience the power of a modern rule engine at your fingertips.

Microsoft vs Nected FAQs:

Q1: What types of objects does the Microsoft Rules Engine support natively?

The rule engine supports .NET objects natively. For handling data from a database, ADO.NET objects can be used directly, and the engine provides helper classes for simplifying database data usage in rules.

Q2: How does the Microsoft Rules Engine handle rule priorities in conflict resolution?

The default conflict resolution scheme is based on rule priorities within a policy. Rules with higher priorities execute first, providing a configurable mechanism for defining execution order.

Q3: Is coding expertise required to use Nected's Rule Engine?

No, Nected's Rule Engine adopts a no-code, low-code approach, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. The platform provides user-friendly interfaces for rule creation.

Q4: Can Nected's Rule Engine integrate with external databases and APIs?

Yes, Nected's Rule Engine offers seamless integration with databases and APIs. It provides a variety of connectors, including popular ones like Zoho API, enabling dynamic, data-driven decision-making.

Q5: How does performance compare between Nected and Microsoft Rules Engine when handling large datasets?

Nected's Rule Engine is designed for efficient handling of large datasets with its no-code approach, offering seamless integration and dynamic interaction with databases. In contrast, Microsoft Rules Engine's performance can vary based on the data binding method used and may require more consideration for optimizing performance with large datasets.

Q6: What are the key differences in the user interface between Nected and Microsoft Rules Engine?

Nected's Rule Engine features a user-friendly interface with no-code, low-code elements like tokenized JSON and simple JavaScript editors, making it accessible for non-technical users. Microsoft Rules Engine, on the other hand, has a more sophisticated interface that might be better suited for users with a deeper understanding of rule-based systems and coding.

Q7: Can both rule engines handle complex logical operations effectively?

‍Nected's Rule Engine allows for complex logical operations using a variety of rule types such as SimpleRule and DecisionTable, which can handle intricate scenarios with ease. Microsoft Rules Engine is optimized for logical AND operators, but using many OR operators in conditions can lead to longer processing times, which might require careful structuring of the rules for optimal performance.