Developing Collaboration Solutions With Access 12 And Windows SharePoint Services “v3”

1. Developing Collaboration Solutions With Access 12 And Windows SharePoint Services “v3” Clint Covington OFF307 Lead Program Manager Microsoft Corporation

2. Introducing Access 12 Allows end users to easily track information, build quick business applications, and collaborate via Windows SharePoint Services (WSS).Gives professional developers and IT highly RAD, customized, and easy to manage business applications that combine the best of the client and server. Pro Developers / IT Whole new class of apps integrated with WSS Rich and reach interfaces Server-side manageability Highly RAD Utilize managed code Confident upgrade path Power Users End Users WSS for collaboration WYSIWYG authoringfor forms & reports “Codeless” macros Outlook data collection Much easier to use Out-of-the-box apps Easy to add a field, form, and report

3. Out-of-the-box templates New UI including ribbon and navigation pane Easy filtering Extensible templates

4. New Template File Format • ACCDT is based on the Open Packaging Conventions file format • XML describes the manifest and database properties, table schema, sample data • Text files describe queries, forms, reports • Getting started shows all ACCDT files in the Office\Templates\[lcid]\Access directory • Customize, deploy via SMS to different groups • SDK for developing templates

5. Import Contacts From OutlookData CollectionCreating Reports Just Got Easier

6. Import From Outlook Sub SetWSSProperties()     Dim db As DAO.Database     Dim td As DAO.TableDef     Set db = CurrentDb     Set td = db.TableDefs("Customers") ' Set the WSSTemplateID table property so that the table will migrate to the right list type     ChangeProperty td, "WSSTemplateID", dbInteger, 105     ' Set the WSSFieldName field properties so that the fields will migrated correctly     ChangeProperty td.Fields("ID"), "WSSFieldID", dbText, "ID"     ChangeProperty td.Fields("First Name"), "WSSFieldID", dbText, "FirstName" ChangeProperty td.Fields("Company"), "WSSFieldID", dbText, "Company" ChangeProperty td.Fields("Job Title"), "WSSFieldID", dbText, "JobTitle" ChangeProperty td.Fields("Business Phone"), "WSSFieldID", dbText, "WorkPhone" ChangeProperty td.Fields("Home Phone"), "WSSFieldID", dbText, "HomePhone" … End Sub

7. Import Contacts From Outlook • Launches the Outlook Global Address Book • RunCommand acCmdAddFromOutlook • Save a record as an OutlookContact • RunCommand acCmdSaveAsOutlookContact • Extensible to developers through table and column properties • Table prop WSSTemplateID=105 • Field prop WSSFieldID = [field name]

8. Access Data Engine - ACE • Engine based on Jet code-base and installed with Office, 100% backwards compatible with Jet • Connects to external data sources • Foundation for richer support of complex data • Multi-choice combo box (M-M joins) • Attachments • Append only • Read and write Excel “12” file formats • SharePoint ISAM enhancements • OM changes to DAO and ACE OLEDB provider (ADO)

9. Complex Data Structures Made Easy • Many to many joins are difficult to create • Queries are complicated • UI metaphors aren’t naturally built into database front-end tools

10. Complex Data Structures Made EasyAttachments

11. Linking to Windows SharePoint Services (WSS)Advertise Access Views In SharePointOffline ListsWorkflow

12. Getting Data From WSS • Reduces network traffic • Data is fetched via Web services • First request in session downloads all list data, subsequent requests pull changed items • Lazy population of table on background thread provides snappy user experience • WSS passes a token for last updates, GetListItemChangesSinceToken returns changes including deleted items • Change log APIs optimized for synchronization • Use offline for explicit refreshes of the cache

13. Offline Object Model • Use read-only properties to determine offline state • IsOffline TableDef property • HasOfflineTables database property • Use RunCommands to invoke methods • acCmdTakeOfflineSharePointLists • acCmdReconnectSharePointLists • acCmdSynchronizeSharePointLists • acCmdDiscardChangesSharePointLists • acCmdDiscardChangesRefreshSharePointLists

14. WSS Tracking Features • Tracking improvements to ‘list’ architecture • Version history for all SharePoint items • “Append-only” comment fields • Multi-valued lookup fields • Large list indexing support • Feature areas • List history and versioning • Project Tasks list • Email support • Distribution list support • Sync APIs for Access and Outlook synchronization • UI extensibility • Alerts and RSS • Updated ‘Issue tracking’ template • Integration with Windows Workflow Foundation for approval or custom workflows

15. Managed Code In Access • Managed Add-ins • Implement Extensibility.IDTExtensibility2 • Managed Task Panes • Implement ICustomTaskPaneConsumer • Expose custom properties in the managed task pane and access through Applications.ComAddins • ‘Form button that opens a managed task pane • Private Sub cmdOpenTaskPane_Click() • Application.COMAddIns(“ManagedTaskPaneAddin.Connect”).Object.taskpaneVisible = true • End Sub

16. Programmable Task PaneeBay Web ServiceExcel service Web service

17. Other Tracking Sessions • OFF310: Windows SharePoint Services: Developing Collaboration and Tracking Applications • OFF201: Office “12”: Introduction to the Programmable Customization Model for the Office “12” User Experience (Part 1) • OFF302: Office “12”: Developing with the Programmable Customization Model for the Office “12” User Experience (Part 2) • OFF322: Building a Solution Using a Spreadsheet in Server-Based Scenarios • OFF415: Windows SharePoint Services: Developing Custom Workflows

18. Summary • Microsoft is committed to Access as a developer platform • SharePoint Services integration allows developers to build new types of collaborative applications • Developers can build and deploy tracking templates

19. © 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

20. Appendix

21. New ACCDB file format • Can be emailed and stored in SharePoint document libraries • Default for all new database • Supports complex data features • Multiple value lookups • Attachments • Append only • SharePoint list offline • Office file encryption not Jet encoding