MailChimp & SharePoint Integration

MailChimp can be integrated and synchronized codeless with SharePoint on-premise using the Layer2 Business Data List Connector. In case you are looking for Online data integration, you will find the right tool here.

MailChimp Data Integration in SharePoint

• Very easy to setup in a few minutes: Create a SharePoint list, click "Connect to external data source" in the list settings, select the data provider, enter connection settings and data query as shown below. That's it.
• No changes in the ODBC data source required: No programming, no additional tools.
• Connected list data always up-to-date: The connected ODBC data query updates automatically in background (via SharePoint Timer Job), or alternatively, on-demand (Action Menu / Ribbon Button, URL, via workflow, API).
• One-way and optional two-way connection: You can write-back the changes made in the SharePoint list to the external ODBC data source automatically with full CRUD (Create / Update / Delete) functionality. The SharePoint list can act as a full-featured front-end for external systems.
• Well-known BCS "external list" issues and limitations are completely solved: ALL list features are to you. Views, sorting and grouping, filters, calculated fields, search, managed metadata. Lookups, additional columns and attachments can be created as normal. All kind of lists can be used, e.g. contacts, tasks, calendar, or custom lists. You can take external data offline via Outlook.
• Workflows and notifications on external data change: List workflows and change notifications per RSS or email can be used to take business actions in SharePoint, when external ODBC data records are changed.
• Application logging, reporting, and notifications: A SharePoint list is used to store settings and log information. SharePoint item versioning and workflows can be used to manage reporting and notifications. Direct notification per email in case of errors is supported as well.
• Highest Security, best performance, easy to maintain: SharePoint Secure Store can be used to store security relevant configuration information safely in one central place. Users are working with the SharePoint lists as an external data cache with highest security and performance. Large data sources can be synchronized.
• 100+ more external systems supported: Layer2 Data Providers included (e.g. for external SharePoint or Office 365, Exchange, Dynamics ERP/CRM, OData, XML/RSS, SOAP), vendor specific data providers can be used (e.g. SQL Server Oracle, MySQL etc.), 3rd party data providers also supported, e.g. for custom ERP/CRM, Facebook or Twitter. See here for supported systems and applications.

MailChimp Specific SharePoint List Configuration Settings

In the Business Data List Connector the data connection must be configured as follows:

Figure 2: Example connection configuration to connect a native SharePoint list to a MailChimp data entity via Layer2 Business Data List Connector.

• To connect to MailChimp you need the  CDATA ADO.NET Provider for MailChimp installed, some kind of driver - available from a 3rd party vendor. The data provider is not part of the package and must additionally be licensed directly with the vendor.
• Select this data provider to connect. You will find specifications, e.g. supported data entities, query support etc. on vendor's home page.
• You need to create or use existing API key in MailChimp (Account -> Extras -> API Keys)
• You need to register your BDLC as "Registered App" in MailChimp (Account -> Extras -> Registered Apps).
• You can use a connection string like this to connect:
  API Key=myApiKey;
  

• You can make use of all SQL queries that are supported by the data provider, for example:
  select * from ListMembers where ListId=myListId 
  
• You can map your data fields to specific external source fields in the Layer2 Business Data List Connector. Please take care about data types (simple type conversions are supported).
• Bi-directional synchronization is NOT supported.
• No installation or changes are required at the data source or data destination despite the CData providers.
• No programming required for setup a connection and sync.
• No need to open your local network for access from outside.

MailChimp Data Connection Details

​Provider:
CData ADO.NET Provider for MailChimp 2016

Connection string sample:
API Key=myApiKey;

Select Statement sample:
select * from ListMembers where ListId=myListId

SharePoint Integration via MailChimp - Limitations, Known Issues and Workarounds

• Due to the data model some details are not present in certain lists. Please look at the provider vendors specifications.
• Bi-directional sync is not fully supported. It seems that the data provider cannot make use of the dynamic SQL generation to insert new records properly. Update and delete actions are supported.

Please contact [email protected] for help.

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