M
Matthew Monahan
Guest
Matthew Monahan, Principal Product Manager, Progress DataDirect Cloud
Sumit Sarkar recently put Lightning Connect to the test with DataDirect Cloud.
In Winter ‘15, Salesforce launched Lightning, the next-generation of the Salesforce1 platform. Salesforce1 Lightning includes a component framework and a new set of tools for partners, developers and business analysts that help you build apps, integrate data and automate business processes lightning fast. Salesforce1 Lightning includes Lightning App Builder, Lightning Component Framework, Lightning Process Builder and my favorite, Lightning Connect which enables Salesforce1 applications to access external data from systems like SAP or Microsoft SharePoint in real time with point-and-click simplicity.
Taking on the Lightning data integration challenge
Never one to back down from a challenge, Principal Systems Engineer at Progress® DataDirect®, Sumit Sarkar, recently put Lightning Connect to the test in honor of Lightning Developer Week. Despite being new to developing on the Salesforce platform, Sumit was able to connect the Progress sales cloud with on-premise corporate business systems to create related lists of invoices grouped by account that can be accessed in real time. Prior to Lightning Connect, this seemingly simple task was well beyond the scope of Salesforce developers and administrators.
Proof of Concept from start to finish
In the spirit of Salesforce1, the project was done using point-and-click configuration from end-to-end. To begin, Sumit connected his external data source through Progress® DataDirect Cloud™, as suggested by the DataDirect Salesforce Account Team. After that, connecting the data to Salesforce is a simple process of creating related lists in the developer sandbox. The entire project took less than five days from concept to completion.
Now you try!
You can learn more about DataDirect Cloud’s support for Lightning Connect on our website, and for those who want to give it a shot themselves, Sumit chronicled his experience on the Salesforce Developers blog. This process should work for any corporate business system or database.
Lightning Connect provides nearly unlimited, easy access to data through External Objects. That’s a big deal for Salesforce devs and IT professionals looking to take their ideas to the next level without going through the grueling ordeal of data integration. Sumit’s project gained him a reputation as an expert on Salesforce development even though he claims to be a newbie, so watch out! He might just take on your next challenge!
Author information
Principal Product Manager, Progress DataDirect Cloud at Progress
| LinkedIn |
Continue reading...