InfoPath Dev

We are in debate between having "SharePoint as Service", meaning just having access to a hosted Site Collection and everything under that, but no access to the server, sql etc....  

 The other option is having a complete Farm set up with full access to everything.  The company is strongly leaning toward SharePoint as a Service.

 If we go the route of SharePoint as a Service, I'm assuming that I'll be able to activate SharePoint Server Enterprise Site Collection features, which will enable InfoPath Forms Services.  My big question is if once I'm logged into the Site Collection as the Site Collection admin, will I be able to open InfoPath Designer on my laptop and publish an InfoPath form directly to a Form Library, make a data connection or create a new content type from a InfoPath form?  Some say yes, some say I will have to package all the InfoPath files into a WSP and upload it through site settings.  Also, would I be able to use custom code if needed?

 Big thanks in advance

skivaly21:

We are in debate between having "SharePoint as Service"

Opening a free demo account and trying it yourself  or simply just googling requires less time than debating.

skivaly21:

will I be able to open InfoPath Designer on my laptop and publish an InfoPath form directly to a Form Library, make a data connection or create a new content type from a InfoPath form?

Yes, I use Office 365 (Sharepoint 2010 Online) site and publish all kind of Infopath form templates to Office 365 site, create data connections, etc.
Though, there are some restrictions and limitations. I cannot say that they are very well documented.
Besides,  server side of Sharepoint Online is being continuously patched, updated and upgraded by Microsoft.

Opening Infopath Designer on your laptop does not depend on anything, you can do it even without network connection, work offline and then publish or submit your changes to Sharepoint when online. It is possible to use Infopath even without any Sharepoint.

skivaly21:

some say I will have to package all the InfoPath files into a WSP and upload it through site settings

I use Infopath Designer 2010 to create and publish Infopath form templates to Sharepoint Online site from x86 (32-bit) Windows XP Pro in which I cannot even install Sharepoint  or package/create Sharepoint projects in Visual Studio (I have 2005,  2008, 2010)

skivaly21:

would I be able to use custom code if needed?

Yes. You will need to install VSTA (Visual Studio Tools for Applications) as part of MS Office setup (you can add components later if you did not install it from the start).

Hi Gennady,

 Thanks for answering my questions.  It really puts my mind at ease!  I may have some questions for you in the future.  I'm just starting a large InfoPath project and it's going to be a long fun road.

 Thanks again

Gennady Vanin (Геннадий Ванин, Новосибирск):

Yes. You will need to install VSTA (Visual Studio Tools for Applications) as part of MS Office setup (you can add components later if you did not install it from the start).

Oooops, this was in Infopath (Office) 2010 and before.

It has been changed in Infopath 2013  further on. And this is what probably will be offered through Sharepoint Online for new users as well as old one will be probably gradually migrated.

I do not paln to try it in the nearest future since neither Office 2013 nor Visual Studio 2012 is possible install on my Windows XP. And I do not have time to migrate.

Still, my advice holds. It is better to poke yourself than asking opinions of others.