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@chrysalisbts presented by Andy Hopkins [email protected] (425) 761-4143 @AndrewSHopkins REAL WORLD | SHAREPOINT implementing advanced business solutions

InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

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InfoPath allows powers users and developers to rapidly create rich smart forms that integrate directly with SharePoint. It includes features that allow form designers to add business rules and integrate line of business data into their forms. But what if you need to update multiple SharePoint lists with one form? What if you have complex data structures (like in the real world)? What do you do when you’ve reached the edge of InfoPath capabilities? In this session, we will examine real world InfoPath use cases where integration of third party tools or custom development are a must. We will look at sample forms and walk through code examples to better understand how to implement these solutions. We’ll also look at a leading ISV solution (Qdabra qRules) to see how quickly a developer can add the most commonly required features to their InfoPath forms. Lastly, we’ll discuss the implications to SharePoint administration when you opt to build more complex forms. Join Andy Hopkins of Chrysalis | BTS as he discusses: -How to identify scenarios that go beyond out of the box InfoPath -Identify new application scenarios that can be facilitated through InfoPath and extensions -How to address complex data structures in InfoPath forms -Real world insights on what works and what doesn’t

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Page 1: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

presented by

Andy Hopkins [email protected]

(425) 761-4143 @AndrewSHopkins

REAL WORLD | SHAREPOINT implementing advanced business solutions

Page 2: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

presented by

Andy Hopkins [email protected]

(425) 761-4143 @AndrewSHopkins

REAL WORLD | SHAREPOINT advanced form solutions in SharePoint

Page 3: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

• Real World SharePoint

• Andrew (Andy) Hopkins - Chrysalis BTS

• Patrick Halstead – Qdabra Software

• What will we discuss today?

Welcome

Page 4: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

• Form based Business Process • InfoPath fields as web part connection

parameters to create mash-ups • Enhance workflow processes through custom

workflow forms • InfoPath fields to build advanced SharePoint

views • InfoPath Form Web Part Integrating forms into

SharePoint pages • Custom development

4

Advanced Usage Scenarios

Page 5: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

FORM BASED BUSINESS PROCESS USING INFOPATH FORMS TO MANAGE END TO END BUSINESS PROCESS

BACKGROUND

Page 6: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

InfoPath Form Services Limitations

• Repeating data cannot be mapped to fields

• Getting user information

• User SharePoint Web Services

• Images and file attachments

• Cannot add custom event handler for “Save” event

• Disable save and save as – use submit button instead

• Rule “Close the Form” doesn’t support prompt on browser-based forms

• Disable the ribbon

• Custom message boxes cannot be displayed

6

Not supported in based browser forms

Page 7: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

AUTOMATING EXPENSE REPORTS USING INFOPATH FORMS AND DECLARATIVE WORKFLOW

BACKGROUND

Page 8: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

Expense Report End to End Business Process - Approval through Payment

Expense Report Saved

Initial Save EmailTO: Preparer

Start Employee Review

Start Approval Workflow

Start Manager Review

NoIs Preparer also

Employee? Yes

Approved

Employee Review Email

TO: Employee

Deleted Task Email

TO: EmployeeCC: Preparer

Rejected Task Email

TO: PreparerCC: Employee

Deleted Rejected

Manager Review Email

TO: Manager

Pause 3 additional days

Pause 5 additional days

Manager Review EmailReminder 1

TO: Manager

Manager Review EmailReminder 2

TO: ManagerCC: Employee

Start Reviewer ReviewApproved

Rejected Task Email

TO: Employee

Rejected

Deleted Task Email

TO: ManagerCC: Employee

Deleted

Reviewer Review Email

TO: Reviewer

Rejected Task Email

TO: Employee

Deleted Task Email

TO: Modified ByCC: Employee

DeletedRejected

Start Approver Review (ML)

Pause 14 additional days

Reviewer EmailReminder

TO: Reviewer

No Action Taken

Approved

No Action Taken

Rejected Task Email

TO: Employee

Deleted

Approval Email

TO: EmployeeApproved Start Payroll Review

Payroll Processing

TO: ExpenseReport-Payroll

Funded Email

TO: EmployeeFunded

Rejected Task Email

TO: Employee

Deleted Task Email

TO: TaskModifiedByCC: Errorhandling

DeletedRejected

Expense ReportWorkflow

Rejected

Deleted Task Email

TO: TaskModifiedByCC: Errorhandling

Page 9: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

InfoPath Advanced – Code Challenges

• Code extensions required for • Copying, sorting tables • Converting images to links • Mapping repeating data to lists • etc.

• Common practices quick and dirty • Programmers hardcode lookups • Versioning/migration nightmares • No multi-dev environment for IP

• Maintenance costs • Code itself requires a developer • Changes require recompile • Separate DLLs duplicate logic

A

B

C

D

E

Page 10: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

InfoPath Extensions – Code Best Practice

• Use a Single Common Library • Example: qRules fills 130 feature gaps • No developer required

• Commands are data source agnostic • Not tightly coupled to form’s schema

• Inexpensive • Write once, use multiple • qRules is ~5 hours of developer cost

• Easy to upgrade • Re-inject updates to get new features

• qRules Benefit • Thousands of enterprise users • Works in browser, filler, 2007-2013

Q

Page 11: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

Demo – Using Common Library with Rules

• Demo • Copying Repeating Data

• Pros: make your form’s data-driven

• Editing List Data from InfoPath • Pros: use SharePoint lists as InfoPath database

• Solutions: • Use out-of-box Rules and

• Write Common Library

• Try qRules common library

Page 12: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts

Resources and Contact Real World SharePoint

Please Give Us Your Feedback

• Matt will send you an email with a link to the presentation and the eval or visit… www.chrysalisbts.com/index.php/events/rws/search/eval/

Successful SharePoint is About Community

• Share your Real World SharePoint stories #RWSharePoint

• Ask the global SharePoint community for their insight #SPHelp

• Attend or speak at SharePoint Saturday (We’d love to meet you at #SPRedmond)

• Join your local SPUG

Attend Qdabra InfoPath Master Class

• Next online classes in August (Master & 101)

• Next in-person Master class in September

Real World SharePoint Presentations

• www.slideshare.net/andyhopkins

Andrew (Andy) Hopkins

[email protected]

• @AndrewSHopkins

Patrick Halstead

[email protected]

• @PatrickHalstead

Page 13: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

@chrysalisbts 14

&

Page 14: InfoPath Forms Services Breakdown: Supporting Complex Business Processes and Multiple Data Source Integration

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presented by

Dave Healey [email protected]

(206) 734-9414