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Colligo Contributor for SharePoint | Product FAQ

  1. What is the difference between Contributor Pro, Client, Add-In for Outlook, and SDK?
  2. What software is needed to work with Colligo Contributor?
  3. What hardware is required?
  4. Do I need to install anything on our server?
  5. How does licensing work?
  6. How much disk space is used to install Colligo Contributor?
  7. What type of content can I take offline?
  8. How do I synchronize the Contributor client with my SharePoint® site(s)?
  9. How do I synchronize Outlook with a SharePoint® document library?
  10. How do I configure the synchronization options for Colligo Contributor?
  11. How can I modify content that I have taken offline and synchronize it back to the SharePoint server?
  12. What about security?
  13. How do I upgrade to the latest version of Colligo Contributor?
  14. What support is provided for Colligo Contributor?

 

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

Colligo Contributor Client is a standalone desktop client that supports synchronization of SharePoint® document libraries, forms, lists, views, and metadata to a local encrypted data cache. It allows mobile workers to access and update SharePoint content when offline, automatically updating changes to SharePoint when online.

Colligo Contributor Add-In for Outlook integrates SharePoint document libraries and lists with Microsoft® Office Outlook®. It enables information workers to easily drag-and-drop emails (including metadata and attachments) into SharePoint, all within the Outlook interface.

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.

Colligo Contributor Pro incorporates all of the features of the Client, Add-in, and SDK. It is targeted at power users and corporations that want to deploy a mix of features and interfaces to their users.

For more details, please see the Features Matrix here >


What software is needed to work with Colligo Contributor?

Please see system compatibility and requirements here >


What hardware is required?

Please see hardware requirements here >

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, and Add-In 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 Client - How It Works

Colligo Contributor Add-In for Outlook - How It Works

Colligo Contributor Pro - 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, 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: http://support.colligo.com/default.aspx. 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.