BACKGROUND: Launched in 1989 by Richard R. Rodgers,The Resource Network is committed to connecting diverse intellectual, financial and technical resources throughout today's increasingly globalized economy. The resulting relationships are expediting governmental initiatives and meeting humanitarian objectives, while enhancing performance and driving profit for myriad business interests. Thanks to collaboration cultivated by The Resource Network, individual innovators and established industries alike are able to identify opportunity, align energy and accelerate success. The overarching objective is socially conscious achievement that benefits the distinct yet interdependent objectives of governments, companies and consumers alike. The Resource Network partners with technology consulting firm Corporate Network Services (CNS) for network administration, application development and integration.
PLATFORMS: The Resource Network technical platform includes FileMaker and Microsoft SQL Server RDBMS; Microsoft Office applications including Outlook and SharePoint; Salesforce SaaS applications incorporated via Cloud computing. The product resides on a Microsoft Small Business Server.
PROBLEM SOLVED: The Resource Network system was conceived as a creative use of best-of-breed data resources that include Microsoft, Salesforce, FileMaker and other applications. We desired to synergistically tie together diverse data from multiple best-of-breed applications, including hosted or cloud-based applications. Connecting data to the Salesforce.com service cloud on the front end posed a challenge. It was unclear what solution, if any, could pull data from a Web service and transform it into data that could then communicate with ODBC-compliant applications such as FileMaker.
PRODUCT FUNCTIONALITY: The DataDirect OpenAccess for ODBC for Salesforce Data Source driver allows any ODBC compliant application to access data in Salesforce.com from applications such as Access, Crystal Reports, Excel, Microsoft Reporting and SQL Server. The driver was built using the DataDirect OpenAccess SDK.
STRENGTHS: DataDirect OpenAccess for ODBC for Salesforce Data Source driver provided fast, real-time, secure access to Salesforce.com data from any ODBC-compliant application. The product is easy to use and DataDirect provides excellent support.
WEAKNESSES: Increased speed would be helpful, as would a lower price.
SELECTION CRITERIA: We met with Salesforce.com in an attempt to figure out a solution, and DataDirect’s driver was suggested. We had past experience with DataDirect Technologies while developing sales information systems and were aware of the company’s excellent track record and ability to connect disparate data-driven systems. DataDirect’s track record in data connectivity and the ability of the DataDirect OpenAccess for ODBC for Salesforce Data Source to connect critical ODBC-compliant applications to Salesforce.com data sources using SQL was the critical factor.
DELIVERABLES: With 11,200 companies, 12,300 contacts from 205 countries and 800 opportunities in Salesforce.com, The Resource Network can today use its FileMaker SynergyPoint applications to grid that information with geocentric information contained in its SQL Server repository as well as with the information, communication and events management capabilities within FileMaker itself, to provide clients with a rich multidimensional perspective. The Resource Network can offer clients dynamic combinations of data from richly diverse sources including on-premise and the service cloud.
VENDOR SUPPORT: The DataDirect Technologies support team provided ongoing support and enhancement of the product throughout the implementation. They have always been quick to respond and always eager to help. The people behind the technology are a very important factor, and the support team at DataDirect Technologies has grown right along with their technology.
DOCUMENTATION: The DataDirect documentation has proved to be complete and easy to understand.
DataDirect OpenAccess for ODBC for Salesforce Data Source
DataDirect Technologies
14 Oak Park Drive
Bedford, MA 01730
(919) 461-4200
Product reviews are customer testimonials. We thank the author of this review for taking the time to share his or her expertise.
Be the first to comment on this post using the section below.