The OData Protocol

The Open Data Protocol (OData in the following) is a standardized web protocol. It supports the simple integration and manipulation of data and is designed in a significantly more user-friendly way than previous web services for developing web and mobile applications. OData is based on open web standards like HTTP, Atom Publishing Protocol and JSON, and like the World Wide Web, is constructed based on the REST (Representational State Transfer) architectural style. Complex database requests can be accomplished with OData using the URL alone. Consequently, OData is also known as ODBC for the web.

1. Connector for OData

The Connector for OData allows data to be consumed and provided. When you consume data with the Connector for OData, the following features are available to integrate OData services into Intrexx:

• Creation of applications (web/mobile) with the Intrexx Portal Manager based on the functionalities of the service.
• Integration of OData services into Intrexx processes.
• Read and write access to data in real time.
• Navigation to related data records.
• Service function calls.
• Access to binary files (documents, images, etc.).
• Various authentication methods that adhere to the users and permissions concept set by the service.

System requirements

The Connector for OData supports version 2.0 of the OData specification. Some characteristics specified in version 3.0 and later may already be available, but are not officially supported. For problem-free communication between the provider and an OData client, the appropriate port(s) must be opened, depending on the connection type (HTTP / HTTPS).

In order to create applications in Intrexx, OData services can only be used that provide a corresponding service metadata document. The connection test in the Intrexx service configuration checks this condition and returns a corresponding error message if no metadata is available. Furthermore, at least one Intrexx user is required for configuring and creating the service. This user must also possess all required rights to create OData services in the Integration module of the Intrexx Portal Manager.

Setting up the data source

A new OData connection can be set up from the conext menu New data source.



Information about the context menu functions can be found here.
Information about licensing can be found here.
Troubleshooting and the appendix are here.
Examples of accessing function parameters in Groovy can be found here.

2. Connector for SAP Gateway

The Open Data Protocol (hereinafter OData) is a standardized Web Protocol, that is used by SAP Gateway. It supports easy integration and manipulation of data, and is specifically designed to be far more convenient for the development of web and mobile applications than traditional web services.

OData is based on open Web standards including HTTP, Atom Publishing Protocol and JSON, and, like the World Wide Web, is built on the REST architecture style (Representational State Transfer). Complex database queries can be entered using OData via the URL alone. Accordingly, OData is also known as "ODBC for the Web". The Intrexx Connector for SAP Gateway offers the following key features for the integration of SAP systems in Intrexx:

• Creation of applications (Web/Mobile) with the Intrexx Portal Manager on the basis of the functionality of the Service.
• Integration of SAP Systems in Intrexx processes.
• Read and write access to SAP data in real time.
• Navigation through records in standing relationships.
• Calling service functions.
• Access to binary files (documents, images, etc.).
• Various authentication methods, including compliance with the user and permissions concept specified by the SAP system.

System requirements

To use the Intrexx Connector for SAP Gateway successfully, at least SAP Gateway 2.0 Service Pack 2 is required. United Planet recommends Service Pack 3 or higher.

The Connector itself supports the OData Specification Version 2.0. Functions, which are specified in Version 3.0 or higher, may in some cases already be available, but are not supported officially. For the creation of applications in Intrexx, only OData Services that provide a corresponding Service Metadata Document can be used. The connection test in the Intrexx service configuration checks for this condition, and issues an appropriate error message if no metadata is available.

To ensure smooth communication between the Intrexx Portal Server and the SAP Gateway server, the appropriate ports must be released, dependent on the connection type (HTTP / HTTPS). Furthermore, for configuring and building applications with the Connector for SAP, at least one user with the necessary privileges to access the metadata of the OData Services is required.

Setting up the data source

A new OData connection can be set up from the conext menu New data source.



Information about the context menu functions can be found here.
Information about exporting SAP Gateway connections can be found here.
Troubleshooting and the appendix are here.

3. Connector for Microsoft SharePoint

The Connector for Microsoft SharePoint enables you to integrate SharePoint lists and document libraries into Intrexx applications and processes. The Connector expands Intrexx data groups with features that allow you to communicate with SharePoint using the HTTP and OData protocols and to transmit the data structures of both systems in the format needed for the other. With this, accessing the SharePoint server with Intrexx always takes place in the context of a SharePoint user, although any SharePoint authentication type is supported. The Connector for Microsoft SharePoint offers the following features:

• Read and write access to fields and files in SharePoint lists and document libraries using Intrexx external data groups.
• Intrexx users can log in to SharePoint using Windows, Forms-based or Identity Provider authentication.
• Intrexx allows you to use Groovy scripts to carry out direct SharePoint queries.

System requirements

The Connector for Microsoft SharePoint from Intrexx (included as of version 7, online update 8) supports the SharePoint versions 2010 and 2013. Some features, however, are only available when using SharePoint 2013.

The adapter itself supports the SharePoint OData service on the basis of the OData specification 2.0. Features, which are specified in SharePoint 2013 with the OData version 3.0 service, are used to some extent by Intrexx for features specific to SharePoint 2013. When creating an application in Intrexx, the OData service must provide a corresponding service metadata document. The connection test in the service configuration tests this condition and delivers an appropriate error message if the metadata is not available.

So that communication between the Intrexx portal server and the SharePoint server runs smoothly, the corresponding ports must be opened, which ports depends on the connection type (HTTP / HTTPS). When using HTTPS, a security certificate must be imported via the portal's properties dialog. Furthermore, at least one SharePoint user will be needed for the configuration and when developing applications with the adapter, this user needs to have the necessary permissions to access the metadata of the OData service. Additionally, this SharePoint user needs to be able to log in to SharePoint either with Windows-based authentication (user/password) or with forms-based authentication.

Licensing

You require a license to be able to use the Connector for Microsoft SharePoint. Please request a license either directly from your partner or from United Planet at the following email address info@unitedplanet.de. The license key will be sent to you via email.

Creating a SharePoint connection

A new SharePoint connection can be set up from the context menu New data source.



Information about the context menu functions can be found here.