Automate Business Processes with Microsoft InfoPath, Business Connectivity Services, SharePoint Workflows and Microsoft Word Services

Keenan NewtonSenior Technical Product Manager - SharePointMicrosoft

OSP317

Session Objectives

Identify the various components that can be used to create composite applications on SharePoint.Describe best practices in creating composite applications on SharePoint.

Agenda

About SharePoint Composite ApplicationsBuilding the Solution

Describe the ProblemBusiness Connectivity ServicesInfoPathWord ServicesWorkflow

What are SharePoint Composite Applications

Built on SharePointLeverage one or more out of the box or custom features.These features can typically live on there ownLike any other type of application

Data AccessDomain (Business) LogicUI

Mostly Developed Declaratively… not programmatically

Composite Application Best Practices

Configure/Define before CodeEnables the End-User to solve business problems in a re-usable way.Can minimize IT involvement; IT can focus on Architecture and Re-usable componentsUse ALM methodologies - Ideally without the user knowingUse the Sandbox, CSOMTarget Office365 even when On-PremLeast impacted during upgrades

The Business Problem… Interviewing and New Hires

The Business ProcessCreate new job requisitionApprove job requisitionApply for jobInterview candidateOffer jobOnboard new hire

Today it’s chaoticManaged by emailLack of accountability and trackingCopy & Paste errorsError prone

The Process

Candidate AppliesInterview

Candidate

Offer Candidate Position

Add New Job Postings

On-Board New Hire

Development ResponsibilitiesIW Power UserDomain Related Tasks

Create ListsCreate External ListsCreate InfoPath FormCreate Workflows

Pro DeveloperNon-Domain Related tasks

Create Active Directory Web ServiceCreate Offer Letter Workflow ActivityCreate Document Conversion Workflow ActivityExtended Copy List Item Activity

The Completed Solution

demo

Outlook Forms andTask panes

SharePoint lists

SharePoint Workspace with InfoPath Forms

Artist Tracker > Artists

Artists

Contracts Artist Name Address City State

Artist

Mandible

Artist Name: Mandible

Agent:Andrew Datars Quartet

Stuck in the Mud

Tastes like chicken

Deathrattle

Jay Hamlin Trio

Down on the Bayou

Concourse

Down on the Bayou

Concourse

Concourse

Jay Hamlin Trio

My Artists

Search results Office Apps

Pervasive external data with Business Connectivity ServicesBusiness Connectivity Services

External Content Type (ECT)

Superset of entity capabilities; describes:Structure of the external system (Fields, Methods, Connection)How this data behaves within SharePoint and Office

Manage and reuse from a central location

Added to the Business Data Connectivity service through:SharePoint DesignerVisual Studio 2010Import into the Business Data Connectivity service as part of a model

Connectivity - Authentication

OOB Support for:Windows AuthFBAClaims based Authentication

Authentication modesRevert to SelfPassthroughSecure Store Service

Can store windows credentials or non-windows credentialsA credentials page is available to gather credentials from a user and store it in SSSExtensibility through ISSSProvider to plug in another SSO

BCS Best Practices

Never use Revert To SelfUse PassThrough or SSO

Stay away from External List Lookup ColumnsEnd-Users typically do not make good data connectionsThinking “Out-Of-The-Box” Tip

Use the External Data Store to initiate the WF/_vti_bin/workflow.asmx

Using BCS to View and Add New Hires to AD

demo

Robust process automation with InfoPath Forms

Rich formatting and user experience

Data validation

InfoPath Web Part

InfoPath

InfoPath Form-based Applications

Integration with SharePoint componentsWorkflowReportingCustom Web pages  

Design custom workflow initiation and task forms.Integration with Business Connectivity Services - create, read, update, and delete external business dataInfoPath WebPart – embed browser forms within a SharePoint page

InfoPath Best Practices

Handle lookup data trimmingExternal Lists Lookup

Data FillOn* Event RulesEasier for End-Users to layout

Candidate Profile Form with InfoPath

demo

Word (Automation) ServicesProvides SaveAs functionalitySupports Open XML, Word 97-2003, Rich-Text (.rtf), Single Web-Page (.mhtml) formatsSupport “open file” automatic tasks

Updating the Table of Contents, the Table of Authorities, and index fields.Recalculating all field types.XML mapping.Merging of alternate format chunks.Setting the compatibility mode of the document to the latest version or to previous versions of Word.

Export to PDF or XPSMost Scenarios will involve Open XML SDK 2.0 for Microsoft OfficeCan’t handle RIM

Creating an Offer Letter with Word Services and Custom Workflow Activities

demo

Enhance out-of-box functionality with Visio & Visio ServicesWorkflow

Design workflow in Visio

Publish and use in SharePoint

Improve with SPD

Creating Workflows with Visio

Visio provides graphical way to gather workflow requirements

Design not Develop

Export and Import To SharePoint

Best Practices with WorkflowAlways try to

Configure - OOTB or SPDExtend – Custom ActivitiesCreate – Custom Visual Studio Workflows

Create new Activities to satisfy custom logic/data accessCreate VS Workflows when you need custom flowsLeverage Re-usable Workflows whenever possibleWhen writing Custom Activites architect the activity to call a WCF service

Hire Workflow

demo

In Review: Session Objectives

Identify the various components that can be used to create composite applications on SharePoint.Review best practices in creating composite applications on SharePoint.

Email: keenan.newton@microsoft.com

Related Content

Breakout SessionsOSP305 - Developing Collaboration Solutions in the Cloud with Microsoft SharePoint Online – 1:30 5/18 (today)

Hands-on Labs OSP277-HOL - Building a Recruitment Portal Composite App, Part 1OSP376-HOL - Building a Recruitment Portal Composite App, Part 2

Find Me Later At… The SharePoint booth in the Expo

Resources

www.microsoft.com/teched

Sessions On-Demand & Community Microsoft Certification & Training Resources

Resources for IT Professionals Resources for Developers

www.microsoft.com/learning

http://microsoft.com/technet http://microsoft.com/msdn

Learning

http://northamerica.msteched.com

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