InfoPath Dev

I'm very new to InfoPath and to SharePoint. Our company would like to create a new Project InfoPath form and post it to the SharePoint form Library to allow people to create and edit projects, then have it email other departments for approval. We also want the ability to query over that data and grab only projects that are open or for a specific person, then to update the current status with a brief notes description.

Out of all of the information I have gathered, I'm confused as to the best way to approach this project. So far it seems like the best way would be to create new SQL Server databases to hold the information and then upload all of the database fields to columns in sharepoint, where we can then query the data. Am I correct on this thought? Also, If I create the initial project form template for the users fill out, and then I put a button on the form for them to enter their weekly updates, would that be a new form? if it would need to be a new form, would I be able to put that form in the same form library as the initial project template form that they fill out.

Thank you for you help as it is much appreciated!
Angie

Hi Adub21,

Using InfoPath,u can design forms with controls such as textboxes, dropdowns and so on.U can use this form to accept information from the users.Validations can be provided to the controls such that only validated data can be entered into the forms.

The InfoPath form can be integrated to databases so that u can fetch or add data into the database.
We can also integrate InfoPath to a webservice

SharePoint is a portal.The form library in SharePoint is the place where u publish the InfoPath form.The form library is where the form resides.Users can fill a form and submit it to a different form library or save it depending on their needs.

So it is InfoPath using which u can acccess ur SQL database and modify or add data to it.
SharePoint is used as a repository where u publish the form template, after which users can fill out the forms and store it.Form Library stores the forms filled by the users.

Hope things are much more clear.

regards,
Abhishek

Thank you for your response -- it is clear what you are saying and that part of the two products, I do understand. I'm unclear about the best way to store the data, SQL Server or access, etc. and also i'm unclear about if we can have multiple forms in one form library.

The users want to go out to the form library and fill out the form for each project, and do weekly updates in a notes section, which from what I have read, would be best to be done in a seperate view off of the first form.

The last queestion for this posting is what the best way to send data back and fouth. Should I use managed code or JScript?

Thank you for your help!

Hi Adub21,

For your first question, best way to store data is Sql server,

For your second question, what you mean by "multiple forms in one form library",
As per my understanding, do you want to save number of forms in one form library, if it is, we can save number of forms in one form library,

You can do updation without seperate view of the first form,

For last question , best way to use managed code.

Thanks.

Hello.

To be honest, I'm not sure if I need to do multiple views of one form or mulitple forms. The first section will have the form for the project managers to fill out. Then I need either a view or another form where the project managers can get a listing of only their projects and update a notes section for them on a weekly basis. Do you know if that would be another view or another form by chance?

Also, from what I've read, it sounds like I need to upload all of the fields in the new tables I will create so that I can query the data as a whole because Sharepoint puts each document out to the server as a seperate file??

Hi Adub21,
U can use 2 separate views to implement this.
One view to fill information by the Project Managers and the other view, where the project manager's list of projects are displayed.
Regards,
Abhishek