How to create and add a new LOB application definition using BDC Metaman

Line of Business applications can be integrated into SharePoint 2007 using the Business Data Catalog. The out of box Microsoft tool is OK to use, but for this article we will be working with the Free Trial version of BDC Metaman by Lightning Tools. It is superior in many ways to the Microsoft tool and takes a lot of the trouble out of creating application definitions, custom actions and more. If you have not done so yet you will need to download the developer version from their website. If you are all set let’s begin.

1. Double-click on the BDC Metaman to start the program and click Connect to Datasouce dropdown and choose your Datasource. For this example we will be connecting to a SQL Server 2005 Datasource.

2. Choosing this option will bring up the “Connect to Datasource” window with the Database tab already select. This is where we select our Server Type, Server Name, and Authentication method. For authentication method we will use SQL Server Authentication.

3. You will now see a list of Databases on the Server.

4. Expand the appropriate database and select the appropriate table. Drag the selected table onto the design surface to expose its contents.

5. Now let’s build the definition file by selecting Build > Configure Definition File. Save the .xml file to an easily accessible location like your desktop.

6. With out .xml definition file saved we are now ready to navigate out browser to the SharePoint Central Administration Page. Once there click on the your Shared Services Administration: SharedServices1. Note: This is the default name, if you changed yours it will be named differently.

7. In the lower right hand corner select Import Application Definition under the Business Data Catalog header.

8. Browse to the location you saved your application definition file using BDC Metaman. Select the appropriate options. For this example we will be importing definitions, localized names, and properties. The file type is a model. Click Import when you are ready to upload the file.

9. SharePoint will now Import the Application Definition file.

When it is done you will (hopefully) receive a success message.

Conclusion: BDC Metaman is a fast way to create an simple application definition file in a limited number of steps.

Please note: I found a problem with a line in the application definition file created by BDC Metaman. I would get the following error: BDC data list getting an “unable to connect to instance” whenever trying to pull data from the BDC. Thankfully, it was a simple fix. If you are experiencing a similar problem simply open your application definition .xml file using notepad or some other editor and change the following line:

PassThrough

 To read:

RevertToSelf

Related posts:

1. Create a SharePoint Site using the Browser Interface The SharePoint 2007 administrator browser user interface is very useful for creating sites and sub-sites in a relatively short amount of time.  The following Flash Video Tutorial will demonstrate how to create a site, setup the site’s groups, add a web part from the site’s web part gallery, and customize the web part’s chrome.  Please [...]...
2. SharePoint Browser Crash Solution One of the most common problems around the office seems to be the browser crashes when attempting to open files in a SharePoint document library.  Luckily, most of the time it is an easy fix.  Problem: Internet Explorer crashes (stops responding) when you try to open an Office document in a SharePoint document library. Scenario: [...]...
3. Sharepoint Database Restore Procedure Accidents happen… If Sharepoint has crashed and your database needs to be restored, here is how you can do it; this is a high level overview. 1. Restore database to a new Database 2. Dismount content database from Site you are restoring by using the central administration admin utility from DOS on one of the [...]...
4. Proper way of moving sites between web applications Sometimes sites need to move from one location to another. Here is how you do that using the Sharepoint CLI utility stsadm. Note: Always perform in a test environment. An empty site must be in place before a cabinet file can be imported 1. Use MOSS07′s sts_adm.exe tool on test server located in directory: C:\Program [...]...
5. Import Outlook Calendar to SharePoint SharePoint makes it very easy to export Calendars from SharePoint to Outlook.  But what if you have an Outlook calendar that you want on SharePoint?  This becomes more difficult and you could quickly find yourself lost on how to complete this task.  Don’t worry though, it’s not that hard.  The following article will explain a [...]...