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What is the difference between Contributor Pro, Client, File Manager, Add-In for Outlook, Uploader for Outlook, and SDK?

Colligo Contributor Pro is client software that enables users to easily access, modify, and create SharePoint content through three desktop interfaces: (1) a standalone desktop client for instant SharePoint access, both online and offline, (2) an Add-In for Microsoft Outlook® for 2-way access, email drag and drop and automatic metadata capture, and (3) a Windows Explorer® extension for seamlessly linking folders on a users file system with SharePoint document libraries.

Colligo Contributor Client is desktop software that increases SharePoint adoption by providing a seamless user experience online and offline. It enables information workers to instantly access, modify, and create SharePoint documents, list items, and metadata – anywhere. Mobile and remote workers remain productive, regardless of network latency or unavailability, while working in the field, traveling, or from branch offices.

Colligo Contributor File Manager is an easy-to-deploy Microsoft® Windows® Explorer extension that increases SharePoint adoption by seamlessly linking folders on a users file system with SharePoint document libraries. Local folders become “SharePoint aware” – online or offline – so users can access advanced features such as metadata, content types, and document templates, while adding and editing files using familiar desktop operations. In addition to the Windows Explorer interface, SharePoint folders can be accessed from any application that uses the standard Windows File Open/Save dialog.

Colligo Contributor Add-In for Outlook increases adoption of SharePoint for email and content management. It delivers instant 2-way access, both online and offline, to SharePoint libraries and lists – all from within the Microsoft® Outlook® interface. Users can simply drag-and-drop emails and attachments into document libraries and folders, instantly capturing critical metadata. The built-in attachment Manager enables users to easily move email attachments to SharePoint, replacing them with links.

Colligo Contributor Uploader for Outlook increases adoption of SharePoint for email and attachment management. It delivers a cost effective and intuitive way to upload content to SharePoint and browse document libraries and lists – all from within the Microsoft® Office Outlook® interface. Users can simply drag-and-drop emails and attachments into document libraries and folders, instantly capturing critical metadata.

Colligo Contributor SDK contains a .NET API plus relevant technical information and specifications that enable developers to build custom applications and tools that programmatically access the Contributor Application Run-Time engine. The SDK was designed specifically for Colligo partners, such as systems integrators and VARs, with customers that require custom desktop implementations for SharePoint.

For more details, please see our Product Comparison Chart

What software is needed to work with Colligo Contributor?

Colligo Reader & All Contributor Products – Server Software Compatibility:

• Microsoft^® Windows^® SharePoint^® Services (WSS) 3.0 OR
• Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) 2.0 OR
• Microsoft Office^® SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 OR
• SharePoint Portal Server (SPS) 2003

Colligo Reader & All Contributor Products – Operating System Compatibility:

• Microsoft Windows XP Professional OR
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 or greater OR
• Windows Vista^®

Colligo Reader & All Contributor Products – Software Requirements:

• Microsoft.NET framework 2.0. which is available from Microsoft here
• Integration with Microsoft Office requires Office 2000 or later
• Microsoft Office 2003 SP2 or 2007 required if you wish to make use of InfoPath forms libraries

Contributor Add-In & Contributor Pro – Additional Software Requirements:

• If using Microsoft Outlook 2003: Office 2003 Primary Interop Assemblies available from Microsoft here
• If using Microsoft Outlook 2007: Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies available from Microsoft here plus for list Support in Outlook 2007, 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 1 (SP1) here
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office Second Edition (VSTO 2005 SE) Runtime available from Microsoft here

Hardware Requirements:

• Windows-based PC (1 GHz minimum, 20MB of free disk space, 256MB RAM)

Do I need to install anything on our server?

No, there is no server component or modification needed for any products within the Colligo for SharePoint^® family. You can easily download and install Colligo Contributor without IT support and quickly be able to view your SharePoint site content offline.

How does licensing work?

Colligo Contributor Pro, Client, File Manager, Add-In for Outlook, and Uploader for Outlook licenses can be purchased from the online store, directly from Colligo Networks, or from a Colligo for SharePoint Partner. A unique license key is issued to you upon receipt and acceptance of your order. If you purchased directly from Colligo Networks or one of our Partners, you will be provided with a user name and password to access a secure extranet site, where you can quickly and easily download your install file. If you purchase via the online Colligo Store, you will be provided with a download link at the time your purchase is completed. For more information on pricing and availability of the Contributor SDK, partners and customers should contact partners@colligo.com.

How much disk space is used to install Colligo Contributor?

The download size of Colligo Contributor is under 5 MB and its installed footprint is only about 11 MB.

What type of content can I take offline?

The Colligo Contributor product line provides support for most SharePoint^® content that is commonly used, including:

• Document Libraries – including document libraries, form libraries, InfoPath Forms, and picture libraries
• Metadata & Views – including views based on changing variables ([Me] and [Today]
• Lists – including custom lists and standard lists (Task, Issues, Events, Announcements, Contacts, Links, Agendas)
• Microsoft^® Outlook^® Emails – including metadata (To, From, CC, Subject, Sent Date, etc.) and attachments

How do I synchronize the Contributor client with my SharePoint® site(s)?

It is very easy. There are a number of convenient ways to select content for synchronization to Colligo Contributor. There are also several synchronization configuration options. Please click on the specific product below for step-by-step instructions:

Colligo Contributor Pro - How It Works

Colligo Contributor Client – How It Works

Colligo Contributor File Manager – How It Works

Colligo Contributor Add-In for Outlook – How It Works

Colligo Contributor Uploader for Outlook – How It Works

How do I synchronize Outlook with a SharePoint® document library?

It is also very easy. Colligo Contributor Pro and Contributor Add-in for Outlook both feature a SharePoint add-in for Microsoft^® Office Outlook^®. When you install Colligo Contributor Pro, please ensure that the optional add-in is selected. Once deployed, you can select the “Connect to Outlook” icon in the Internet Explorer toolbar from any SharePoint 2007 (MOSS 2007 or WSS 3.0) document library. Select “Make this list or library available offline” if you want to cache the content to your local data store. Or simply click Yes to the Colligo Contributor Outlook Add-in prompt to sync the document library in online-only mode. A sub-folder will be added in your Colligo for SharePoint folder tree. The naming convention is the site name and document library name – at any time you can personalize these folder names. The content from the SharePoint Library will be automatically synchronized in Outlook. Any modifications you make to files will be automatically synchronized if you’re online. If working offline, your changes will be synchronized when you’re back online. For step-by-step instructions, please click here.

How do I configure the synchronization options for Colligo Contributor?

It’s easy to set a number of synchronization options with Colligo Contributor. Configuration options allow you to set prompts for metadata and a storage location for the local data store. Synchronization options include synchronize on startup, when a list or document library is viewed, and when content is modified or added. You can also set background synchronization based on a specific time interval. These options help you keep content current based on your synchronization preferences. With the desktop client, you can access the Colligo Contributor Options page from the top menu bar – simply select View and then Options. With the Add-In for Outlook, right-click the Contributor icon on the system tray and select Open Colligo Contributor. Then select View and Options. For step-by-step instructions, please click here.

How can I modify content that I have taken offline and synchronize it back to the SharePoint server?

Colligo Contributor Pro, Client, File Manager, and Add-In for Outlook all provide local caching and 2-way synchronization. After modifying content while offline, changes will be automatically synchronized to the SharePoint server when you are back online. If working online, changes are automatically synchronized based on a change you’ve made or on a configured interval. With Contributor Pro or Client, to initiate an immediate synchronization, you can simply click “Synchronize” in the top menu and any changes made on the server will automatically be updated to Contributor. With all the Colligo Contributor products, your current synchronization status can be viewed anytime using the systray icon – you may also right-click on the icon to initiate synchronization or cancel a synchronization in progress. In order to ensure that the correct version of a document is preserved, Colligo Contributor features sophisticated, yet easy to use, conflict resolution. Sync options – including Sync on View and Sync on Change – can configured in the Options Panel found in the View dropdown from the menu bar.

What about security?

Encryption of stored site content is available as a configuration option in Colligo Contributor. By default, encryption is turned off. However, by modifying a configuration setting, encryption of all stored site content can be enabled. Encryption is only available on Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista, and only if the disk is NTFS-formatted.

How do I upgrade to the latest version of Colligo Contributor?

All purchased licenses of Colligo Contributor include Basic Support, which entitles customers to email support, .dot releases (all .x minor upgrades), and discounts on purchasing major upgrades (all X. releases). Please contact support@colligo.com for the latest .x release. Enterprises purchasing 25 licenses or more of Colligo Contributor can also buy the Contributor Support Plan at the time of purchase. The Contributor Support Plan includes live telephone support, designated contacts, and software assurance for all major releases (X. upgrades). If you are looking for a major upgrade, please contact Colligo at sales@colligo.com for information about your account and Support Plan.

What support is provided for Colligo Contributor?

Support for Colligo Contributor is available through our support site: Colligo Support. All purchased licenses of Colligo Contributor include Basic Support, which entitles customers to email support, .dot releases (all .x minor upgrades), and discounts on purchasing major upgrades (all X. releases). Enterprises purchasing 25 licenses or more of Colligo Contributor can also buy the Contributor Support Plan at the time of purchase. The Contributor Support Plan includes live telephone support, designated contacts, and software assurance for all major releases (X. upgrades). Please click here to learn more or contact Colligo at sales@colligo.com for more information.