Question about SQL database

[STIRRELL]

Hi all,
I wanted to reach out to SQL gurus and ask a question. We had a vendor build a SQL database. They are now saying because of the way they built it they can not have the SQL database pull information from a Sharepoint list. The purpose would be to link comments from a SharePoint list to the DB based on a unique ID in both the database and the list. I feel like that is saying you can't do a lookup in excel. Thanks for your information
Sharon

 

[Kyle123]

What they're saying sounds plausible, but it's difficult to know without much more information. What is the SQL database? There are many different types, Access, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MSSQL, Oracle etc.. None of those by default link to sharepoint, sharepoint is essentially a website provided by microsoft - there's nothing that links a standalone database to a particular website, kind of like there's nothing to link data in a database you have to the thread ids on this website - even if they're the same.

Databases typically don't integrate with other software*, and you probably don't use the database directly, they're typically provided with some sort of front end, this could be a website or an application on your computer. Linking sharepoint to a database would typically involve having to write a piece of software that pulls information from sharepoint, transforms it and then inserts it into your database - the ease of doing this very much depends on your scenario.

*there are of course exceptions

 

[STIRRELL]

Hi I know it is not an access database. The current database pulls information from our expense system called certify. My thought was if they can call from Certify why can't they call from SharePoint list and create a table and join the table based on the unique ID. Im sorry other than it's not access that is all I know.
thanks,
Sharon

 

[Kyle123]

It's technically possible, but there may be all sorts of issues/reasons that make your specific implementation difficult/cost effective and they either don't want to do it or the person you're speaking to doesn't have the authority/inclination to price it.

Just because it pulls form one system, it doesn't mean it can easily pull from another, the two are completely unrelated.