External List and Column Data in K2

SharePoint 2010 BCS allows for the configuration of external lists and external data columns exposing line of business system data via standard list-based APIs and user interfaces.

Refer to Microsoft documentation for more information on configuring line of business systems for access via external lists and external data columns: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee556826.aspx.

K2 ensures that interactions with external lists and external data columns look and feel as if they were standard lists and columns throughout the K2 platform. This allows for external list and external data column support in process design via list item wizards (Create, Edit, Delete, Copy and Get Item Reference) and list context browsers. Additionally, external lists and external data columns can be enabled via K2 SmartObjects using the same tooling as standard lists. Please refer to K2 for SharePoint - K2 SmartObject Service Management for more information.

Although external lists behave similar to standard lists in SharePoint, they do not provide event hooks which limits full fidelity with standard lists in the K2 platform. Please refer to the following list of K2 list-based capabilities to determine external list support.

Supported

Event Wizards
- SharePoint Lists and Libraries
- SharePoint List Items
  - Create, Update, Copy, Get, Delete
  - NOTE: A runtime error will occur if there is no associated method operation.
- SharePoint Search
  - Search in SharePoint List or Library
- Item Reference
- SharePoint List Item Reference
Object Browser
- SharePoint Object Browser Lists
SmartObject Management
- K2 SmartObject Site Lists and Libraries

Not Supported

Process Wizards
- SharePoint Events Process
- SharePoint Workflow Integration
Event Wizards
- SharePoint Workflow Integration Client Event
- SharePoint Search
  - Search across a List or Library
Object Browser
- Content Types
K2 Studio
- Process Helper
K2 Designer for SharePoint
- K2 Process ribbon button