sharepoint bdc vs business data list connector (bdlc)
DESCRIPTION
The BDLC connects a SharePoint list (no Web Part) directly in the list settings with external LOB data, with Workflows, if external data changes:The fast, easy and complete integration of external LOB data, e.g. from databases, is a common requirement in the use of Microsoft SharePoint technology. Existing solutions, such as the Business Data Catalog (BDC) in SharePoint 2007 or the Business Connectivity Services (BCS) in SharePoint 2010, are often too complex at the facility, bring with them limitations or they are are available for MOSS (Enterprise Edition) only.The SharePoint Business Data List Connector by Layer2 on the other hand, connects a REAL SharePoint list (no Web Parts) to almost any external business data, using a very simple list settings dialogue. It can be configured easily, with 3 simple settings only:1. Enter connection string 2. Enter select statement 3. Enter primary keys (if there are any)Then the required list structure is created automatically and modified external data is updated very fast in background. The desired data can be presented without any restrictions, with the full read-only functionality of common SharePoint lists made available: views, sorting and grouping, filters, calculated fields etc. can be created as usual.Workflows and notifications per RSS or email can be used, to take business actions directly in SharePoint, if external business data records are changed.The SharePoint Business Data List Connector (BDLC) is available for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS, all editions) and also for the free Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 (WSS). It will be released for Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 and Windows SharePoint Servicves 4.0 with availability.TRANSCRIPT
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9/15/2009 1Layer 2 GmbH | Eiffestr. 664b | 20537 HamburgTel.: +49 40 28 41 12 30 | [email protected] | www.layer2.de/en/
What is the SharePoint Business Data List Connector?
The SharePoint Business Data List Connector (BDLC) connects custom SharePoint lists (no Web Parts) directly with almost any external business data, simply in the list settings dialog with 3 steps only. All SharePoint list features are available as usual, e.g. alerts and workflows, to take business actions in SharePoint, if external data records are changed.
LOBBDLC
Custom SharePoint List (No Web Part)
External LOB data, e.g.- databases (e.g. SQL Server, Oracle)- office data (e.g. Excel, Access)- text files (e.g. csv) and more
Fast batch update in background
(changed data only)
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SharePoint BDLC – Why we made it?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
Existing solutions such as the Business Data Catalog (BDC, MOSS 2007) or the Business Connectivity Services (BCS, SharePoint 2010) are not available for all SharePoint editions or for the Windows SharePoint Services (WSS). The BDLC works with all SharePoint editions and WSS.
BDC and BCS are not easy to configure. Tools, XML, customizing is required. The BDLC is easily configured in the list settings with 3 inputs only. Every admin can do it.
Existing solutions use Web Parts to display the data – not lists. That causes limitations compared to real SharePoint lists. With the BDLC all list features can be used, e.g. views, grouping, alerts, workflow. No problems with search at all.
SharePoint users are very familiar with lists. Lists are the common way to work with data in SharePoint.
With the BDLC list alerts and workflows can be used, to start business actions in SharePoint, if external data records are changed.
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SharePoint BDLC – Activation: How does it work?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
Install the BDLC
Activate the BDLC Feature for the Site Collection
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SharePoint BDLC List Creation – How does it work?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
Goto Site Actions
Chose Create
Select Business Data List Connector in Custom Lists
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SharePoint BDLC List Settings – How does it work?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
Goto List Settings
Chose Business Data List Connector Settings in Custom Settings
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SharePoint BDLC List Settings – How does it work?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
Enter the Connection String and validate it
Enter the select string andvalidate it
Enter the primary key(s)(if any)
Create the list structurewith one click
Update the data with oneclick
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SharePoint BDLC Connection String – How does it work?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
Connection strings areavailable for virtually anyexternal data sources, e.g.
Databases like Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, Informix, DB2 etc.
Microsoft Office data likeExcel, Access etc.
Text data files.
Connection strings areavailable for externalSharePoint lists too...
See FAQs to find yourconnection string
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SharePoint BDLC Select Statement – How does it work?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
Select statements areavailable for virtually anyexternal data sources, e.g.
Databases like Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, Informix, DB2 etc.
Microsoft Office data likeExcel, Access etc.
Text data files.
Select Statements areavailable for externalSharePoint lists too...
See FAQs to find yourselect statement
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SharePoint BDLC Primary Key(s) – How does it work?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
In most cases your external data would have one or more primary key(s).
If a primary key is available, then the advanced update features can be used.
For more information about possible primary keys / field names please take a look into your result set using the Preview button.
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SharePoint BDLC List Structure – How does it work?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
To create the list structure required to display your external data, please press "Create”.
The fields of the result set of the given select statement are mapped to common SharePoint list fields automatically.
You can rename the fields afterwards manually or you can change field types as usual in SharePoint
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SharePoint BDLC Data Update – How does it work?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
To update the data in your SharePoint list with your external data, please press "Update”.
If valid primary key(s) are given, modified data is updated only.
Updates can be done automatically in background (see next silde).
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SharePoint BDLC Background Update – How does it work?
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
You can optionally enable background updates.
The updates are done automatically, one time per hour by default.
You can modify this interval later on.
If primary key(s) are given, updates can be done very fast.
Modified data is transferred only with batch updates using a timer job
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About Layer2
1991: Formation as “Cords und Jacobi, EDV-Beratung und IT-Dienstleistungen” in Hamburg / Germany
2001: Renamed to Layer2 GmbH
2003: Focusing on Microsoft technologies, particularly .NET and SharePoint
2007: Market entry Austria and Switzerland
2008: Microsoft Certified Partner
2009: Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Hamburg
Nuremberg
Layer2 – The SharePoint Experts from Hamburg (Germany) – www.layer2.de/en/
GERMANY
Layer2 is a specialist for creating custom components and solutions for Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies.
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9/15/2009 Layer 2 GmbH | Eiffestr. 664b | 20537 Hamburg | www.layer2.de/en/ | Sales@layer2de 14
What are you waiting for? www.layer2.de
You can download an evaluation version of the SharePoint Business Data List Connector (BDLC) today at:
http://www.layer2.de/en/products/Pages/SharePoint-Business-Data-List-Connector.aspx
See FAQs or contact [email protected] for more information. Please note, that there are more SharePoint features and web parts available on www.layer2.de/en/.
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