QuoteWerks® SharePoint integration

Data in QuoteWerks® - a product by Aspire Technologies, Inc - can be integrated codeless with native SharePoint lists using the Layer2 Business Data List Connector via OleDb. Read below how this integration works.

In case you are looking for SharePoint Online data integration, you will find the right tool with the Layer2 Cloud Connector.

Benefits of QuoteWerks Integration in SharePoint

• Create a SharePoint list, click "Connect to external data source" in the list settings, select the .Net Framework Data Provider for OleDb, enter connection settings and data query as shown below. That's it - no programming, no changes in QuoteWerks, no additional tools.
• Connected data always up-to-date: The connected data 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 SharePoint to the external data source automatically with full CRUD (Create / Update / Delete) functionality. The SharePoint list can act as a full-featured front-end for a QuoteWerks query.
• 100+ external systems supported: Layer2 Data Providers included (e.g. for SharePoint/Office 365, Exchange, Dynamics, 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 ERP/CRMs, Facebook or Twitter. See here for supported systems and applications.
• 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.
• SharePoint workflows and notifications on QuoteWerks data change: List workflows and change notifications per RSS or email can be used to take business actions in SharePoint, when external business data records are changed.
• 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.
• 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.

QuoteWerks Specific Configuration Settings

​In the Business Data List Connector the data source or destination entity must be configured as follows to connect to QuoteWerks.

• Select the .Net FrameWork Data Provider for OleDb to connect. The provider is not a part of the Layer2 Business Data List Connector. You can download it here:.Net FrameWork Data Provider for OleDb
• You can use a connection string like this to connect:Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0; Data Source=C:\Applications\QuoteWerks\Products.mdb;Persist Security Info=False;
• Several different authentication methods are generally supported. See provider specification linked above for more.
• You can map your data fields to specific external fields in the Layer2 Business Data List Connector. Please take care about data types (simple type conversions are supported).
• Please enter an appropriate primary key (column with unique values), depending on query (see data preview for this).
• No installation or changes are required at the QuoteWerks data source.
• Data synchronization can be started manually in SharePoint or scheduled in background by the Layer2 Business Data List Connector. Only data changes are processed (no delete / bulk import).
• No programming required for setup a connection and sync. No touch of the QuoteWerks system.

QuoteWerks Connection Details

.Net FrameWork Data Provider for OleDb

Connection string sample: 
Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0; Data Source=C:\Applications\QuoteWerks\Products.mdb;Persist Security Info=False;

Select Statement sample:

SELECT ID,Availability,Cost,Price,List,Manufacturer FROM products

QuoteWerks Data Integration Known Issues

• You can use Access SQL to query, but only syntax that is supported by the Microsoft data provider.
• Access primary key(s) are not automatically set. Enter your primary key (e.g. an Access counter field ID) to the data entity definition as a primary key. If not set, records are deleted and re-inserted with each sync.
• Bi-directional sync is supported.
• Please take care with table names that include a "-" sign like "customer-contacts". It looks like there are issues in some Microsoft data provider versions leading to errors on insert.

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