Build, protect and deploy apps across any platform and mobile device
Deliver Awesome UI with the most complete toolboxes for .NET, Web and Mobile development
Build rich, smart HTML5 and JavaScript apps for any platform, browser or device
Automate UI, load and performance testing for web, desktop and mobile
Use Angular, TypeScript or JavaScript to build truly native mobile apps
Rapidly develop, manage and deploy business apps, delivered as SaaS in the cloud
Automate decision processes with a no-code business rules engine
Build mobile apps for iOS, Android and Windows Phone
A complete cloud platform for an app or your entire digital business
Deploy automated machine learning to accurately predict machine failures with technology optimized for Industrial IoT.
Optimize data integration with high-performance connectivity
Connect to any cloud or on-premises data source using a standard interface
Build engaging multi-channel web and digital experiences with intuitive web content management
Progress DataDirect Cloud is a Salesforce-preferred connectivity service for Salesforce Lightning Connect.
Last fall at Dreamforce 2014, Salesforce enhanced their developer tooling focused on mobility with the announcement of “Salesforce1 Lightning.” This is a huge deal as it introduces many new features focused on making application development and business automation “lightning fast.”
Lightning is made up of a number of tools and components. One that we are particularly excited about is Lightning Connect. Lightning Connect allows you to, in Salesforce’s own words:
Connect and access data from external sources with point–and-click simplicity. Incorporate data from legacy systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, you name it) in real time in Salesforce application objects. Dramatically reduce integration time to unlock and modernize back-office systems.
Translation? Your data that has been outside of the Salesforce ecosystem can now be programmatically integrated into your Salesforce applications in real-time without copying the data from the on-premise system to Salesforce!
How can you get started learning about Lightning Connect? Salesforce is very good about posting resources to help users learn about new capabilities. There’s a very brief commercial video that provides a high-level overview of Lightning Connect.
If you’d like to get more technical, Salesforce has a video presentation from Dreamforce 2013 entitled “Introduction to External Objects and the OData Connector.” This is one of the first presentations that Salesforce gave on the subject, before they made access to external data available under the Lightning Connect brand. I think it is very good at explaining what problem Lightning Connect solves and why Salesforce developers, administrators and architects should care.
To fully leverage Lightning Connect and OData, you’re still going to need a data integration service to bring everything together. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to call Progress® DataDirect Cloud™ a Salesforce recommended solution with ready-to-go connectivity. The combination of the DataDirect Cloud OData service and Lightning Connect means you can quickly connect your back-office and legacy systems to Salesforce1 platform, even those behind your firewall—so they are able to work in tandem with up-to-date data readily accessible wherever you are. All while using the familiar Salesforce1 interface that your users know and love. This is a game-changer for your business and well worth looking into.
In addition to the videos I have linked above, you can learn more about the Salesforce1 Lightning platform and Lightning Connect from their website. You should also swing by our site where you can read about DataDirect Cloud and consider signing up for a free trial so you can start leveraging the power of OData immediately.
View all posts from Greg Stasko on the Progress blog. Connect with us about all things application development and deployment, data integration and digital business.
Copyright © 2017 Progress Software Corporation and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
Progress, Telerik, and certain product names used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. See Trademarks for appropriate markings.