The document compares Infowise Ultimate Forms and InfoPath as solutions for creating forms in SharePoint. Infowise offers a more comprehensive, code-free platform with extensive features and compatibility across SharePoint versions, while InfoPath is an XML-based solution that requires SharePoint Enterprise and is no longer being updated. Key distinctions include Infowise's superior integration, customizable layout, and support for diverse data sources and actions, compared to InfoPath's limited functionality and retirement status.

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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 Writable/read-only/hidden
through conditions
Writable/read-only/hidden
using rules
View permissions Based on current user,
with custom default view
None

9. 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

10. Features: ColumnTypes
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.
None

11. 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

12. 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

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

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

15. 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

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

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

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

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

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