Connect Microsoft SharePoint MOSS/WSS portal lists directly to external data with new version BDLC V1.5

Online, January 25, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Hamburg, 2010-01-20 - Microsoft SharePoint technology is increasingly used in SMBs and larger companies as a business collaboration platform for the enterprise and the web, to connect and empower people, to cut costs with a unified infrastructure and rapidly response to business needs.
The free Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 or - depending on requirements - the Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 are used to implement business solutions for collaboration, document management, enterprise content and records management, business intelligence, forms service and company-wide search. The fast, easy and complete integration of external LOB data, e.g. from databases or Office files, is a common requirement in the use of Microsoft SharePoint technology. Existing data integration solutions for SharePoint - such as the Business Data Catalog (BDC) - are often complex at the facility, require additional tools, bring with them limitations or they are available for certain SharePoint editions only.

Quickly connect business data to MOSS and WSS lists without any programming or tools

The Business Data List Connector (BDLC) for SharePoint offers a "SharePoint External List" by connecting a real SharePoint list (no Web Part) to external business back-end data, using a very simple web-based list settings dialogue. No programming or additional tools are required. The BDLC can be configured easily with a few simple list settings, such as connection provider, connection string and a SQL query statement. The new version 1.5 supports more connection provider than ever, for example SQL Server, Oracle, OLEDB (e.g. Microsoft Office), ODBC or other custom provider installed. The desired data can be populated to the list and presented with the familiar UI and navigation features of common SharePoint lists made available: Views, sorting and grouping, filters, calculated fields. Lookup features can be created as usual for presentation of and interaction with external data in SharePoint lists. The Business Data List Connector extends the SharePoint collaboration and search capabilities as well as the Office user experience to include external business data and the processes that are associated with that data.

Start workflows in SharePoint to take business actions on external data changes

The list data can be updated manually or automatically in background, using a timer service. List workflows and notifications per RSS or email can be used out-of-the-box, to take business actions in SharePoint, if external LOB data records are changed. For example the Business Data List Connector can be used to implement a sales dashboard application, which empowers end users to gain insight into the underlying ERP or CRM data in a reusable way, e.g. with aggregations and transformations and quickly being notified in case of changes.

Free shareware version download today

The new SharePoint add-on BDLC V1.5 comes with a robust installer to allow it to be easily deployed within any SharePoint environment, including farms. It is available for SharePoint starting with WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007. You can download it directly on the vendor's product pages at www.layer2.de/en/products.

Free to use for SharePoint User Groups (SPUG)

All components offered by Layer2 are completely FREE to use within a registered SharePoint User Group web site (back-link and logo required).

Cost-free partner program for implementers and affiliates

A cost-free partner program was launched to support companies that are interested to sell and implement Layer2 products around the world. Registered affiliates can market Layer2 products by placing links on their web sites to the relevant product pages of the Layer2 web shop on www.share-it.com. They will receive a 20% commission for each sale of these products via their web site. Additionally implementers receive qualified leads to make use of Layer2 solutions in their own projects.
Please register and join today!