Current Iteration Outlook Contacts Sync SQL Server – Iteration 4 for more details.

Iteration 3 Outlook Contacts Sync SQL Server – Iteration 3 for more details.

Iteration 2 Outlook Contacts Sync SQL Server – Iteration 2.

The OutlookSyncSQL sample is the first phase of our transition to agile samples development. The idea is to break down a sample into user stories and short iterations. Sample iterations will have functional code; however, the sample will not be fully baked until the final release. Therefore, the expectation is that iterations might not contain the same fit and finish as a final release.

We value your feedback on the process of creating SQL Server samples that reflect your needs.

Please post a comment on this page or contact us directly:

Derrick VanArnam (derrickv@microsoft.com)
Susan Joly (susanjo@microsoft.com)


Iteration 1
Wired up the Outlook add-in to perform CRUD operations against a local SQL Server Express database to address user stories 1, 2, 3, and 10. As far as user story number 10, the sample will use the AdventureWorksLT2012 sample database.

Iteration 2
Packaged and released current state of the sample to CodePlex.

Iteration 3
Iteration 3 shows how to sync a SQL Express LocalDB database containing Outlook contacts to a SQL Server instance using the Microsoft Sync Framework 2.1. This version also includes code to host a WPF User Control on an Outlook Task Pane to invoke Microsoft Sync Framework synchronization from within Outlook.

Iteration 4
Iteration 4 shows how to use MVVM and a SyncWorkflow to sync a SQL Express LocalDB database containing Outlook contacts to a SQL Server instance using the Microsoft Sync Framework 2.1. The synchronization code was moved into a NotifySyncUpdatedActivity code activity. The NotifySyncUpdatedActivity executes the synchronization. A SyncModel is added to the workflow context as an extension. An Updated action defined in SyncModel : ClientModelBase notifies the sync ViewModel that the model has been updated. A WPF user control is bound to the ViewModel defined in the Outlook Addin.

Final User Stories
1. As an Outlook user, I want to synchronize contact fields to a SQL database.
2. As an Outlook user, I am occasionally disconnected from the network / internet. Therefore, I need my contacts available while offline.
3. As a user, I want to manual synchronize my Outlook contacts with a contact table.
4. As a user, I want my contacts automatically synchronized with a SQL Server or SQL Azure contact table.
5. As a user, I want to be able to easily configure the sample application. (Decided to remove this user story)
6. As an administrator, I need to allow a list of specific users to read/write to a specific SQL table during a synchronization session.
7. As a user, I want to easily install, and cleanly un-install the Contact Sync Addin
8. As an Outlook user, I want to see the progress of an Outlook / contacts table synchronization. (Decided to remove this user story)
9. As an Outlook user, I want to view a history of synchronization values.
10. As a user, all of my existing contacts must be preserved while and after running the sample.