How much does MashPoint cost and where can I download it?
MashPoint is an absolutely free download, courtesy of your friends at Bamboo.
What version of SharePoint does MashPoint support?
MashPoint supports:
- Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) 3.0; and
- Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007.
With what type of backend data or services will MashPoint work?
MashPoint will work with:
- Databases (ODBC, Microsoft SQL Server, OLE DB, and Oracle);
- Web Services; and
- Custom providers.
Does MashPoint support Action, User Profiles, and Search?
Custom Actions are supported in the native MashPoint; User Profiles are supported if MashPoint is running on top of the BDC; and we plan to support Search in a future release.
Compared to the Microsoft BDC, what features are not available in the first Beta release of MashPoint?
Features not implemented in the Beta1 MashPoint release include:
- Any user with access in the Web Applications associated with the Bamboo Shared Service Provider (BSSP) can use the APIs, but only users accessing the BSSP can modify MashPoint metadata (i.e., upload, delete, and modify application definitions). Whether the user has access to the data in the external system depends on what authentication mechanism is configured: If PassThrough authentication is used, the user's identity is used to access the data; if RevertToSelf is used, the application pool account is used to access the external system;
- No Export of application definitions;
- No Editing/Adding of custom Actions from the WebUI;
- No Bamboo Single Sign-On (SSO) Provider exists, but if you're running (non-Enterprise) MOSS, you can use Microsoft SSO. You may also write your own SSO Provider, or use one that you have already written; and
- No Integration with User Profiles unless MashPoint is running on top of the BDC.
Will any of the above features be represented in the next Beta release of MashPoint?
Security on metadata will be implemented in the next Beta release, and we may have a simple SSO provider available in that release as well.
When can I expect to see the next MashPoint Beta release?
We're targeting the end of June for the next release.
Compared to the Microsoft BDC, what features are "extra" in the first Beta release of MashPoint?
The ability to write custom providers and use them from MashPoint is an extra feature not found in the BDC.
Are there any features that work differently from their BDC counterparts?
No, all features which MashPoint has in common with the BDC behave just as do their BDC counterparts.
Can I create a List Column or Site Column based on a MashPoint entity?
Yes, but creating a List Column or Site Column based on a MashPoint entity will require coding a custom column.
What application files are available in MashPoint today?
The following application files are available in the Beta1 MashPoint release:
- All BDC application definitions should be supported provided they don't use Profile filters or other unsupported features;
- AdventureWorks sample;
- Amazon Web Services sample; and
- Microsoft CRM.
Which Bamboo Web Parts are compatible with MashPoint in this first release?
Bamboo Web Parts which are compatible with MashPoint in the Beta1 release include:
Does MashPoint work with application definition files generated by BDC Meta Man or Microsoft Definition Editor?
Yes, MashPoint works with application definition files generated by both BDC Meta Man and Microsoft Definition Editor.
Does Bamboo Shared Services work with multiple WSS Web Apps in a farm?
Yes, Bamboo Shared Services works with multiple WSS Web Apps in a farm.
What is the Bamboo Shared Services Provider (BSSP)?
BSSP exists solely to host MashPoint, and it is through BSSP that you will manage MashPoint.
Will I be able to get technical support for MashPoint?
Yes, technical support will be available via the MashPoint forum.
What features are being planned for future releases of MashPoint?
A few of the new features scheduled for future MashPoint releases include:
- Support for SharePoint lists;
- Support for Relationships between entities in different LOB systems (allowing users to relate data in their CRM system with data in SharePoint lists);
- Support for the Entity Framework;
- Support for REST-based Web services;
- One-to-one Object Model mapping with the BDC API;
- Enhanced support for updating data; and
- Security on metadata.
Posted
May 25 2008, 01:03 PM
by
Lam