These days, most of our projects involve integrating multiple cloud-based services with Claris FileMaker. This approach allows us to use each service for what it does best, versus duplicating the functionality in our solutions.
Recently, we successfully integrated FileMaker, our preferred development platform, with Microsoft Exchange using the powerful Microsoft Graph API. The goal was to streamline contact management for a network of medical clinics by synchronizing patient data between FileMaker and the Exchange environment.
This integration allowed clinic staff to easily access patient contact information via their iPhone’s native Contacts app, which supports Caller ID – a critical feature request for this client.
Data synchronization projects, while offering numerous benefits, can present unique challenges. One of the primary hurdles lies in defining clear and concise requirements upfront. A thorough understanding of the desired outcome is crucial to ensure a successful implementation.
In this project, our analysis revealed that a unidirectional push of contact data from FileMaker to Exchange was sufficient to meet the client’s specific needs. Implementing a bidirectional synchronization would have introduced unnecessary complexity and increased the risk of data conflicts, potentially leading to inconsistencies and errors.
To gain deeper insights into the technical aspects of this project, we interviewed Joe Ranne, Senior Application Developer with Portage Bay Solutions, who spearheaded the integration effort.
Joe: My primary focus is always on a thorough understanding of the target API. I review the API documentation, paying close attention to available endpoints, authentication methods, and data formats. This review allows me to design an accurate data mapping strategy between FileMaker and the API. By carefully considering data transformations, error handling mechanisms, and logging capabilities I can ensure data integrity and smooth out any necessary troubleshooting.
With this project in particular, we had to work closely with the client’s IT team to get the access permissions correct, since the multi-clinic nature of their environment made security more complex.
Joe: The Microsoft Graph API offers quite good documentation, but you have to pay close attention to authentication and authorization mechanisms. Obtaining the necessary permissions and managing access tokens needs careful planning and coordination, especially because healthcare data is involved. It’s crucial to adhere to security best practices so that we are not opening any holes in the security environment or displaying personally identifiable health data where not appropriate.
Joe: We implemented a unidirectional synchronization of contact data, selectively pushing relevant information from the FileMaker database to the Microsoft Exchange Online environment. We used the “Create Contact” endpoint within the Microsoft Graph API.
This approach effectively added new contacts, or updated existing ones, in the Exchange environment, ensuring that clinic staff had the most up-to-date patient contact details readily available within the native contacts app on their iPhones. Having this seamless access enhanced features like caller ID, enabling staff to quickly identify incoming calls and respond accordingly.
Joe: While the overall integration process was relatively smooth, we did encounter a minor hurdle in obtaining the necessary permissions to access and modify contact data within the Exchange Online environment. Fortunately, we have a great working relationship with this client’s IT team and were able to get things figured out.
Joe: I think this project serves as a great example of the interconnected API world we live in. By effectively utilizing the Microsoft Graph API, we were able to meet a key business requirement for our client that might have been impossible otherwise.
This successful integration of FileMaker Pro with Microsoft Exchange Online demonstrates the significant benefits of leveraging modern APIs to extend the capabilities of business applications. By carefully planning, executing, and maintaining the integration, organizations can unlock new capabilities and create more sophisticated workflows. This project serves as a valuable case study for other organizations seeking to use the power of cloud integration to enhance their operations and improve overall business performance.
Curious to learn more about Graph API? Portage Bay Solutions has recently launched a new online course taught by one of our Senior Application Developers, Joe Ranne. Through the FileMaker and Microsoft Graph API Integration for Beginner course you can learn the process of integrating FileMaker with the Microsoft Graph API. You’ll get a solid understanding of this integration and see how cloud-based services can enhance your FileMaker solutions.
This course assumes that you have a basic understanding of databases and web technologies, and prior experience with FileMaker is required. However, you don’t need prior experience with the Microsoft Graph API. You must also have a Microsoft monthly subscription and FileMaker licensing.
Sign up today!
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