MFSQL Connector modules

MFSQL Connector is available as separate modules with different functionality and pricing.

This documentation describes the functionality of all the modules of Release 4.  Contact support if your licensed package does not include a specific procedure or functional element described in the documentation.

MFSQL Connector Data Exchange

This  module is used where the Connector is deployed to perform only data exchange  with no need for extensive development of integrations and applications using M-Files APIs.

Examples of usage of this module:

• Extract metadata from M-Files into SQL for reporting, trouble shooting or analysis and data cleansing

• Upload metadata from SQL into M-Files. This is particularly relevant when the data preparation is complex or requires the extensive data management tools of SQL.

• Simple extraction of data from a third party system and updating the data into M-Files

• Combine M-Files metadata with other corporate data that is not in M-Files for reporting and analysis

The data Exchange module includes the following:

• Assemblies

• Tables, Procedures and functions to allow exchange of class table data between M-Files and SQL

• Context Menu in M-Files to action updates.

When to use Data Exchange instead of M-Files External Connectors

M-Files External Data Connectors	MFSQL Connector: Data Exchange
ODBC connection	Vault & Database in different locations
Update timing is set on a schedule	Update is near immediate and is highly configurable
No data manipulation	Encrypted data exchange
Simple source data structures	Complex data management with conditional criteria
Limited Valuelist lookups	Multiple joins and combinations
Source and target data is similar	SQL based data preparation
Limited triggers for update process	Alignment of source and target data
	Batch preparation of data updates
	Multiple triggers for data update

MFSQL Integration Connector

This module includes Data Exchange and additional procedures and functions to assist the developer to develop extensive integrations and applications around M-Files using SQL.

Examples of use cases when this module is required:

• Building complex integration services with third party application

• Complex metadata structure management and analysis

• Process management and error handling

• Exploring M-Files Event Log in SQL

• Optimising large volumes of data and updates.

• Iterative development cycles using the helper functions and procedures

This Developer module add the following components:

• Helper and accelerator procedures and functions

• ETL module

• ASPNET security provider for deployment of membership manager with Code On Time

• Exporting M-Files Event Log

• Integrating M-Files Reporting Tool with the Connector

• Error Logging and analysis

• Extended Context menu functionality allowing for calling an SQL Procedure from an action menu in M-Files, or workflow state change, or event handler.

  Example uses include:

• Accessing other intranet (and public) web applications using a menu option button in M-Files

• Starting a SQL update process such as updating information from a third party system from within M-Files using a menu option button.

• Performing a complex data preparation or copy function including multiple objects using a context sensitive button in M-Files

• Automatically call a SQL store procedure to perform complex functions when a workflow state change takes place.