Linking fields to external data sources

In addition to creating relationships between containers and items, you can configure links to external data sources for individual fields. This option is available only for Simple Text, Single Select, and Integer field types. This feature enables you to integrate other applications with FootPrints that uses a common external data source, such as Microsoft SQL Server. The SQL server supports both encrypted and non-encrypted connections and uses only the default certificate to establish an encrypted connection with FootPrints.

The following topics are provided:

• • To add a link to an external source
  • To update a link
  • To remove a link
  • Related topics

To add a link to an external source

1. Open the item where you want to add the link:
   1. Click the Administration tab.
   2. In the appropriate section, perform one of the following options:
      • Click the container that contains the item that you want to modify. 
      • Click Manage to open the container Administration page and then double-click the container.
   3. In the left pane, click the item link (such as Record Definitions in workspaces or Contacts in address books).
   4. In the Items page, double-click the item that you want to modify.
2. In the left pane of the Item details page, click Fields.
3. Select the field that you want to modify and then click Link to Data Source.
   You can only select Simple Text, Single Select, or Integer field types. The Link Device Name to Data Source page appears.
4. In the Data Source section:
   
   1. In the Server Address field, enter the name or IP address of the SQL server.
   2. In the Server Port field, enter the port number for the server.
   3. In the Database Type field, select an appropriate option: 
      • Sql Server 
      • Postgres 
   4. If you select Database Type as Sql Server, in the External DB Security Type field, select an appropriate option:
      • For non-encrypted connection: None

      • For encrypted connection: SSL Connection (Default certificate)
        

        Note

        To complete the encrypted connection configuration, on the Java tab (C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Tomcat 7.0\bin > Tomcat7w.exe), you must enter the -Djsse.enableCBCProtection=false parameter and restart the Tomcat service.

   5. In the Database field, enter the name of the source database.
   6. In the Server User ID and the Server Password fields, enter the credentials needed to access the data source server.
   7. Click Connect.
   8. In the Table or View field, select the table or view where the data is stored.
   9. In the Map item fields to external source fields table, select the fields from the external source that match the fields in FootPrints.
5. (Optional) To enable the lookup fields for the users, in the Enable Lookup Triggers for section, select the appropriate option:
   • Agents: Select this option to enable field lookups only for users with Agent role.
   • Customers: Select this option to enable field lookups only for users with Customer role.
   • Both: Select this option to enable field lookups for users with Agent and Customer roles.
6. (Optional) If you want a lookup triggered under certain conditions, in the Trigger Lookups Automatically section, select an appropriate option:
   • When a customer submits a record
   • When a user links a contact and the field value is populated automatically
   • When a dependent lookup field is populated as a result of this lookup
     You can select multiple options.
7. (Optional) To display multiple results in a list, perform the following steps:
   1. Select Multiple Result Display.
   2. Select at least one Primary Sort option in the Sort Order for Multiple Results section.
8. If you selected lookup triggers, in the Lookup Order field, drag the Lookup Key Field entries to reflect the order in which they should be performed.
   Lookups located lower in the list will overwrite any values populated by lookups located higher in the list.
9. Click Save.
10. To implement your changes, in the breadcrumb trail, click the container link, and then click Save and Publish.

To update a link

1. Open the item where you want to modify a link:
   1. Click the Administration tab.
   2. In the appropriate section, perform one of the following options:
      • Click the container that contains the item that you want to modify. 
      • Click Manage to open the container Administration page and then double-click the container.
   3. In the left pane, click the item link (such as Record Definitions in workspaces or Contacts in address books).
   4. In the Items page, double-click the item that you want to modify.
2. In the left pane of the Item details page, click Fields.
3. Select the linked field that you want to modify and then click Link to Data Source.
   The Link Device Name to Data Source page appears.
4. Modify the settings as needed, using the information in To add a link to an external source.
5. Click Save.
6. To implement your changes, in the breadcrumb trail, click the container link, and then click Save and Publish.

To remove a link

1. Open the item where you want to remove a link:
   1. Click the Administration tab.
   2. In the appropriate section, perform one of the following options:
      
      • Click the container that contains the item that you want to modify. 
      • Click Manage to open the container Administration page and then double-click the container.
   3. In the left pane, click the item link (such as Record Definitions in workspaces or Contacts in address books).
   4. In the Items page, double-click the item that you want to modify.
2. In the left pane of the Item details page, click Fields.
3. Perform one of the following actions:
   • Select the field that you want to unlink and then click Manage Linked Fields. The Manage Lookup Order dialog box appears. Click Remove Link. A confirmation message appears. Click Yes.
   • Select the linked field that you want to unlink and then click Link to Data Source. The Link Device Name to Data Source page appears. Click Remove Link. A confirmation message appears. Click Yes.
4. Click Save.
5. To implement your changes, in the breadcrumb trail, click the container link, and then click Save and Publish.

Related topics

Types-of-fields

Configuring-fields-with-selection-lists

Mapping-fields-to-external-data-sources