Infowise Ultimate Forms vs. InfoPath Feature-by-feature comparison of form solutions for SharePoint

Why do we need forms in SharePoint? Lists are a great for information Built-in forms are quite basic More advanced solution needed for real life applications

InfoPath Forms XML-based form generator and filler Integrates with SharePoint Not a native SharePoint solution SharePoint Enterprise required Retired, no more new versions

InfoPath Forms InfoPath-generated list forms: Replace built-in forms Submits to SharePoint items Limited functionality Mainly a layout feature Form libraries: Non-native solutions Saves data as XML files Extended functionality Layout and data structure

Infowise Ultimate Forms A complete code-free platform for building SharePoint forms and business solutions Extremely feature rich, up to 18 individual components inside Works on free SharePoint Foundation Much more than just forms: reporting, business logic, integration, etc.

Design and Integration Design environment Integrated into SP, accessible anywhere Stand-alone application, local installation required Integration 100% integrated Non-native UI and functionality SP License Foundation (free), Standard, Enterprise Enterprise only

Features: Layout Form layout Tabs, tab permissions, sections, groups, multi-column layout Sections, drag-n-drop design Look and feel Configuration + CSS-based styling Designer-generated styling SP UI integration 100% native look Distinct, foreign look

Features: Permissions Tabs Tabs and groups with subsections Groups. Tabs can be implemented as views Tab permissions Writable/read-only/hidden through conditions Writable/read-only/hidden using rules Column permissions View permissions Based on current user, with custom default view None

Features: Data Structure Storage List item based, completely integrated XML file based, stored in document library* Repeating sections Real items in related lists, visible in forms and views Repeating sections in XML, do not map to SP items, not visible in views Related items summary Automatically calculated, subject to filters. Columns do not need to reside on the form Summary functions within the forms

Features: Column Types Support for built-in column types All column types are supported Some column types are not supported (Managed Metadata), others: reduced or modified functionality Support for custom column types All custom column types from all vendors supported None Custom column types provided Associated items, cascading lookup, color choice, KPIs, document link, etc.

Features: Validation and Defaults Default values User-specific; passed through URL; content type-specific Common to all users Validation rules Specific to users, subject to conditions, regex pattern support Subject to conditions, support for email/URL patterns Validating related items Run validation rules based on summary of related items Not supported

Features: Actions Types of actions 16 types of actions: update/create/delete items, manage permissions, create list/site, print, etc. Set field value Execution On add/update/delete, on timer, manual (ribbon button) On value change

Features: Lookups Cascading Yes, unlimited levels Yes* Add new value No Filter values

Features: Signatures Signature type Electronic Digital Signature providers Active Directory credentials, hand-written Digital certificate Displayed in Forms, views, print Forms only

Features: Printing Print templates User-defined, multiple templates with automatic/manual selection Print screen Export/email Convert to PDF and email, with attachments None* UI integration Print from forms and views, print multiple items at once Print from forms only

Features: External Data Data sources Any DB type, web services MS SQL only, web services Filter external data Yes Automatic import/export Emails, web service, any DB None

Features: Color-coding Type Background color, font color, icons Background color, font color, boldness, underline Displayed in Forms, views, calendars*, print-outs Forms only

Features: Item IDs Templates Multiple, automatically selected Not supported Format Combination of text, column values, functions, numerator Applied New item, modified item

And we didn’t even cover Actions* Alerts Color-coded calendars Charts and graphs Color-coded views KPIs List search Voting Much more…

Infowise Ultimate Forms Freedom to build the forms you need Meet us: SharePoint Fest NYC 2014, WPC 2014 www.infowisesolutions.com