Box & SharePoint Integration

BOX.NET file metadata can be integrated and synchronized codeless with SharePoint on-premise using the Layer2 Business Data List Connector. In case you are looking for Online data integration, you will find the right tool here.

Benefits of Box.net Metadata Integration in SharePoint

• Very easy to setup in a few minutes: Create a SharePoint list, click "Connect to external data source" in the list settings, select the data provider, enter connection settings and data query as shown below. That's it.
• No changes in the ODBC data source required: No programming, no additional tools.
• Connected list data always up-to-date: The connected ODBC data query updates automatically in background (via SharePoint Timer Job), or alternatively, on-demand (Action Menu / Ribbon Button, URL, via workflow, API).
• One-way and optional two-way connection: You can write-back the changes made in the SharePoint list to the external ODBC data source automatically with full CRUD (Create / Update / Delete) functionality. The SharePoint list can act as a full-featured front-end for external systems.
• Well-known BCS "external list" issues and limitations are completely solved: ALL list features are to you. Views, sorting and grouping, filters, calculated fields, search, managed metadata. Lookups, additional columns and attachments can be created as normal. All kind of lists can be used, e.g. contacts, tasks, calendar, or custom lists. You can take external data offline via Outlook.
• Workflows and notifications on external data change: List workflows and change notifications per RSS or email can be used to take business actions in SharePoint, when external ODBC data records are changed.
• Application logging, reporting, and notifications: A SharePoint list is used to store settings and log information. SharePoint item versioning and workflows can be used to manage reporting and notifications. Direct notification per email in case of errors is supported as well.
• Highest Security, best performance, easy to maintain: SharePoint Secure Store can be used to store security relevant configuration information safely in one central place. Users are working with the SharePoint lists as an external data cache with highest security and performance. Large data sources can be synchronized.
• 100+ more external systems supported: Layer2 Data Providers included (e.g. for external SharePoint or Office 365, Exchange, Dynamics ERP/CRM, OData, XML/RSS, SOAP), vendor specific data providers can be used (e.g. SQL Server Oracle, MySQL etc.), 3rd party data providers also supported, e.g. for custom ERP/CRM, Facebook or Twitter. See here for supported systems and applications.

Box.net Specific SharePoint List Configuration Settings

​In the SharePoint General List Settings click "Connect to external data source".

While you cannot sync BOX files metadata directly with SharePoint, you can sync with your local synced file copy managed by BOX as an intermediate storage. You can use the Layer2 Business Data List Connector and the Layer2 Data Provider for File System to sync.

Please note that BDLC can only sync your files metadata into a SharePoint list

Figure 1: Example connection configuration to connect a native SharePoint list to your Box.net local folder via Layer2 Business Data List Connector.

Please note the following specific settings.

• Select the Layer2 Data Provider for File System to connect. The provider is part of the Layer2 Business Data List Connector solution and should be already installed, depending on installation options selected. You can also install separately if required.
• You can use a connection string like this to connect:
• Directory=myDirectory; UID=myUser; PWD=myPassword
• myDirectory can be D:\myDir, \\myServer\myshare, or \\127.0.0.1\c$\myShare (with any valid IP).
• If BDLC is unable to connect to your network share, you can install the Box.net sync tool on your SP server with an appropriate account and connect BDLC to this folder location.
• Box.net normally is using file shares like C:\Users\myUser\Box Sync\
• SQL-like data queries will be supported with next versions, e.g. only files with specific names, types or age.
• You can map your data fields to specific external source fields in the Layer2 Business Data List Connector. Please take care about data types (simple type conversions are supported).
• Select a primary key like "FileContent"
• You can use the connection for uni-directional synchronization only.
• No installation or changes are required at the data source or data destination.
• No programming required for setup a connection and sync.
• No need to open your local network for access from outside.

Box.net Connection Details

​Provider:
Layer2 Data Provider for File System

Connection string sample:
Directory=C:\\myBox\Box Sync; UID=myDomain\myLogin; PWD=myPassword; Authentication=Windows

Select Statement sample:

SharePoint Integration via Box.net - Limitations, Known Issues and Workarounds

While BDLC don´t support the synchronisation of documents and files, you can sync the documents metadata (like author, create date etc) to keep track of changes on these fields. 

Currently there are no known issues. Please contact sales@layer2solutions.com for help.

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