SHAREPOINT

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SharePoint 2013 Performance Best Practices

SharePoint 2013, the newest version of the web application development platform is already giving a tough time to developers working on it with little knowledge. Indeed, the challenges that are faced by developers working on the platform are quite extensive and heavy much like the platform itself. Well, if you are new to the particular development platforms, you must always remember to integrate some tips ensuring highest performance level of the same. Likewise, experience developers must take a cue of the ideas while, taking up any development work as it would help you strengthen knowledge as well as promote discussion, which would ultimately lead to the development of a great application.

Here is a look at the best practices following which is sure to help you build something greater and better with SharePoint:

Always take note of the best time to cross the divide

A pertinent issue that often emerges with the development project while working on the platform is the best way of interacting with other systems in the network. Since, the web application relates to a composite application platform, this particular question needs to be answered quite often. Well, the solution rests with the idea of viewing the architecture of SharePoint from the web application. This particular approach stands as the easiest for now. While writing or coding Web parts, it is always advisable to make use of the object model of the platform.

Additionally, you can also make use of Web controls that function pertaining to a particular web application or ASP.NET form codebehind. The object model offers a rich and well known set of classes that allows you to interact with the web application development platform. Viewed from the perspective of the object model of SharePoint, the web application stands as an essential security boundary. Generally, the use of the object model for initiating interactions between the web applications must be avoided in all causes.

Gain advantage from the capabilities of the Native SharePoint

Development team often face issues that take away the opportunity of gaining complete benefit of the capabilities of native SharePoint. Well, the first issue implies at the platform being wide and extensive, which often makes it easier to develop custom solutions rather than offering time in understanding the offerings of the web application without any sort of custom coding. Secondly, the business owners often creates a list of detailed requirement, application behaviors, and wireframes that leaves little room for flexibility during the time of using OOB capabilities.

However, incorporating the offerings of the SharePoint often provides dividends, even if the deliverable at the end takes a slight move than the original requirement. The trick of gaining the advantage lies in complete understanding of the technology by the development team. Additionally, they also need to communicate the value and other advantages relating to a specific implementation of the application to the business organizations.

Gain knowledge regarding essential SPDev task and information

This particular purpose allows the developer to explain the common tasks that he might need to take up during software development in detail. When it comes to packaging the solutions pertaining to the SharePoint, the ways tend to be multiple. While on the one hand, you can completely rely on manual creation of diamond directive files (DDFs) and manifest.xml, the implementation of the Visual Studio projects cannot be ruled out completely, on the other hand. The use of VseWSS projects tend to be easier than the conventional process of manual creation of DDFs.

However, it is also important for you to note that some alternatives at times emerge to be useful for the enterprise and commercial deployments that also include the WSPBuilder, SPDeploy, STSDev, and DDFGenerator. It is advisable that you evaluate each tool carefully to find out what suits your needs the best. The trick lies in creating Solution packages for incorporating deployment rather than taking up manual deployment of code components.

Find out Solutions Off – Server

Every time, you get to work with SharePoint, you must make it a point to work on solutions that are free of any sort of dependencies that are often imposed by the development process. By making use of the Visual Studio development server, SharePoint Web services, ASP.NET Web Part framework support, along with third-party tools, you can easily finish the development task on a standard and general work station as against on a computer functioning on SharePoint.

Since SharePoint works on top of ASP.NET and IIS, the web development server that comes integrated with Visual Studio often makes a wonderful start point to begin with the process of SharePoint development. For instance, you can go onto developing HTTP handlers, Web controls as well as Web Parts in the particular light ambiance.

These a few of the best practices that can easily pave the road to successful SharePoint application development integrated with high performance and scalability.

We provide SharePoint 2013 mobile development services. If you would like to talk to one of our SharePoint developers or would like to take a look at the work they have done, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

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7 Apps that Bring SharePoint to the iPad

The need for the right applications is immense when it comes to catering to the vast range of mobile users. People making use of iPad and iPhones need to access SharePoint content too and it is for this reason that it becomes essential to bring SharePoint to the iPad. The unconventional applications are often found working effectively for the purpose.

Now, quite a lot of options are available for making Microsoft SharePoint accessible on the device. The traditional iPad browser paves the way for a somewhat satisfactory experience. Several factors need to be considered in this regard. For instance, content editable attribute is supported by the desktop version of Safari while such facility is not made available by the Safari on the iPhone OS. This attribute is used by the application development platform and other collaboration products such as that of the Office Web Apps. This ensures a rich editing experience within a supported browser.

On the other hand, offline support and a richer experience is facilitated by certain apps that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store. Here is an overview of some of the popular as well as prominent apps that helps in bringing SharePoint to the said device.

1. SharePlus Office Mobile Client

SharePlus emerges to be one of the most prominent and universally used iOS Client for SharePoint that enables carrying the highly valuable information assets of this web application development platform on the Smartphones or tablets, irrespective of the prevailing scenario of connectivity. The app works well on several OS like Android, iOS, Mac and Blackberry.

2. Filamente

Filamente is often considered to be the most beneficial and user- friendly apps that offers a simple yet intuitive way of interaction with the development platform from the mobile devices. Setting up Filamente for the team site is quite easy and hassle- free. Other advantages of this application come in the form of a rich text editor plus link to Dropbox feature.

3. Moprise: SharePoint Documents for iPad

Morpise is an excellent collaboration client for iPad. This application, featured by Apple in iPad @ Work, enables users to access, share as well as collaborate any of their SharePoint document on the larger screen.

4. Harmon

The version 1.2.3 of this application of 2.5 MB comes with a rather intuitive user interface while also bringing forth an easy setup for the team site.

5. Briefcase Pro

Briefcase Pro is one such app that facilitates effective search from anywhere. The application has an intuitive user interface coupled with a fairly rich text editor.

6. Native iPad

Native iPad, as an application, is widely preferred primarily because purchase of additional software is not a necessity for the same. The application has no offline capability, which ensures that the security risks are much desired. Above all, it facilitates text input for list items.

7. SP- Dashboard

Coming up to be yet another useful app for bringing SharePoint to the iPad, SP- Dashboard for iPad allows users to browse SharePoint data in a much easier and efficient manner. It offers a good experience of navigating through the SharePoint sites and viewing the lists, libraries and documents. Additionally, one can also define the favorite lists, documents as well as libraries for fast access while renaming the favorites for a better overview.

With this application at your service, presentation of the SharePoint data with complete mobility becomes possible. As the retrieved data is automatically updated and stored on the device, there is no need of an internet connection for accessing the data.

All of the above- mentioned applications and products are intuitive with some of them being better than the others. The apps not only serve the purpose of bringing SharePoint to the iPad but also reduce the cost of ownership in the long run. Sharepoint 2013 mobile development teams can help you build mobile apps using SharePoint 2013 within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide SharePoint bespoke development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified sharepoint programmers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

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Steps for SharePoint and PHP Integration

With the help of document libraries and custom lists, it is possible to read list data directly from SharePoint into the existing PHP application. In this way, a number of possibilities can be explored. Certain PHP tools are available through which it is possible to leverage the potential of the .NET Connector within the world of PHP. It ensures convenient access to SharePoint data such as documents and items. If developers are capable of working with recognized ADO.NET frameworks as well as SQL, it enhances the production quality, thus making the development process faster.

Connection of PHP applications

Developers now can avail the facility of connecting their respective PHP applications to SharePoint with the help of SQL, with the same convenience as is applicable in case of an ordinary database. Existing PHP tools are able to handle predefined lists such as the ‘Task list’ or the ‘Calendar’. Custom document libraries as well as lists can also be handled.

Seamless Integration with SharePoint

PHP tools available in the market assist in saving a lot of time when it comes to integrating with the document management system. With the help of these tools, you will be able to make use of the following aspects:

Convenient installation is possible by simply including the library files, then setting up the connection settings to the SharePoint installation service.

Through the use of the tools, it is possible to completely handle custom list items, develop any list that is required and that too, instantly. Moreover, predefined list items can also be managed. Again, you can also manage document libraries, folders as well as documents. You can even go for storage of data in database or dynamically read through the SharePoint integration service.

Developers can effectively leverage these tools to work faster, developing better as well as increasingly flexible solutions. Every input-output from SharePoint gets transformed into the recognized database computer language Structured Query Language. Therefore it is easy to normalize the development process. As a result of this, developers with no prior expertise in SharePoint integration or development are able to conveniently work with document libraries along with list data.

Benefits of SharePoint and PHP Integration

Through the integration of SharePoint with PHP, there are a number of benefits that are achieved:

The threshold of requisite knowledge is considerably brought down while working with data and integration pertaining to the document management system.

The productivity of developers can be enhanced

The maintenance costs can be lessened.

The need for specific training for developers can be brought down to a great extent.

The integration ensures easier support to data connectivity.

Features and Steps

Through the SharePoint integration service provided by a number of companies, the document management system can be queried like a regular database, irrespective of whether you are making the selection from amongst a default list, an edited version of a default list, a document library or a custom list. The data will be retrieved and made available to meet the specific requirements. You can go for the following:

Choose explicit columns (SELECT Title, Id, FROM customList)

Choose everything (SELECT * FROM customList, include the .all in the list name to obtain each element that is available from the list)

Make the choice by view (SELECT * FROM viewName, customList.)

There are PHP tools offering support for creation, reading, updations and deletion with the help of SQL syntax in addition to stored procedures. Comprehensive handling of list items is made convenient along with management of document libraries as well as the respective items (documents and folders).

Whether it is SharePoint 2010 development, or any other version, by leveraging a diverse collection of PHP classes, developers are capable of easily integrating SharePoint and PHP.

We provide sharepoint development services. If you would like to know what makes us expert sharepoint programmers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

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How Can You Integrate DotNetNuke 6 & 7 with SharePoint?

DotNetNuke has already established itself as one of the most popular as well as preferred web content management systems, based on Microsoft. Net. DotNetNuke websites are known to offer excellent user experience while also letting the brands enhance their identity. The recent trend is that of integrating this content management system with that of Microsoft SharePoint, of which the latest version has recently come out in the form of SharePoint 2013.

The integration is quite helpful for the businesses in a number of ways. Here is a brief overview of how the integration of DotNetNuke with SharePoint can be executed with success.

Effective Document Management with SharePoint

SharePoint is undoubtedly the most preferred as well as even sought- after system for document management, helpful for businesses of varying size or nature. Now, this platform is built into cloud, which allows maximum storage and accessibility. Consequently, the professionals in a team have an opportunity to share as well as collaborate on apparently large amounts of data and documents. Additionally, the platform integrates effectively with Outlook and this enables enhancement of the significance of the social tools. All this leads to a carefully organized atmosphere. The team members can also convert the raw data into important interactive reports.

Integration of DotNetNuke with SharePoint

The best thing about integrating the web content management system with the web application development platform is that the two of them integrates quite seamlessly. An automatic integration implies that no further efforts are required when it comes to operating the system. The DNN Community can merge with the platform in a rather hassle- free manner by means of using the custom modules. The primary idea, here, is to design a system that allows the platform to communicate from behind a firewall with the people facing the website. Now, all this means that the documents can be pushed into the portal on the DotNetNuke website with higher level of safety and efficiency. At the same time, the filter rules can be designed to track down the individual documents to find out as to where they go.

DNN Enterprise and SharePoint Connector

In instances where the platform is used as the document management system, integration of the same with DotNetNuke Enterprise Edition is actually of real benefits. The custom integration saves a lot of money of the enterprise while investment that is made is actually worthy.

The DNN Enterprise SharePoint connector comes up as a powerful and significant feature, supporting both 2007 and 2010 versions of the platform. The firewall issues can be avoided at the same time. Content, on the other hand, stays fresh and is published directly from the SharePoint Document Library. It is the DotNetNuke role- based security network that performs the essential function of protecting the published documents.

Making Use of the SharePoint Folder Provider

The SharePoint Folder is particularly useful in integration with DotNetNuke 6. It enables the DNN users to store as well as synchronize the files contained in the document libraries, located in 2010 version of this platform.

Here is an overview of the features of this Folder and the way it helps:

The communication between the web application development platform and the DotNetNuke 6 becomes faster and more direct by virtue of the folder. It paves the way for multiple providers to indicate to different document libraries from either the similar platform based sites or from the different ones.

The SharePoint Folder facilitates a number of functionalities such as addition cum deleting of folders, uploading, downloading, renaming of files along with synchronization of the files and folders. Above all, this Folder actually acts as a strong base for several DNN modules, which make use of the DotNetNuke file system. Custom SharePoint development teams can help you build projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide SharePoint application development services. If you would like to talk to one of our SharePoint developers or would like to take a look at the work they have done, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.