Article published on the 3rd of February, 2023.
Contents
1. Introduction
Note that as of writing this article, the Export/Import feature is still in beta state. WorkPoint offers limited support on the feature, and use of the feature is at the user's own risk. Any feedback on the feature can be submitted to support@workpoint.dk and will be greatly appreciated.
Using the "Export/Import" feature, it is possible to export a WorkPoint solution, including business modules, site columns, and other elements, as a template. The solution template can then be imported into a different site on the same Microsoft 365 tenant, or even an entirely different one.
This feature can be useful e.g., if big solutions or features are first implemented on a test tenant, and then imported into a customer's production tenant when the solution or feature is completely configured.
Please note that WorkPoint recommends exported WorkPoint solutions and the target WorkPoint solution be on the same version of WorkPoint 365. It is also recommended that the two solutions use the same language settings.
2. Requirements
There are no requirements associated with the use of the Export/Import feature.
3. Exporting a WorkPoint solution
Exporting a WorkPoint solution can be done from the WorkPoint 365 Administration:
- In the WorkPoint 365 Administration, click "Export/Import Solution Template (Beta)" button in the left-side menu.
This opens the Export/Import Solution Template page:
Note that as of writing this article, the Export/Import feature is still in beta state. WorkPoint offers limited support on the feature, and use of the feature is at the user's own risk. Any feedback on the feature can be submitted to support@workpoint.dk and will be greatly appreciated.
- To export the current solution, click "Export".
This opens the "Export" page:
- In the Export page, you can provide a name and a description for the exported solution. This will appear in the "Export/Import Solution Template" page, and in the WorkPoint installer where this solution will now become available as a solution template.
- To begin the export job for the current solution, click the "Export" button.
- To cancel the export at this point and go back to the previous page, click "Back".
Upon clicking "Export", the export job for the solution will be started, and progress can be tracked in the "Export/Import Solution Template" page:
After a successful export, the solution should now be listed:
Note that the exported WorkPoint solution will appear in the Export/Import Solution Template page of any WorkPoint solution associated with the same customer Id as the originally exported solution.
- In the "Actions" section of existing solution templates, you have the following options:
- Import: This button is used to import the specific WorkPoint solution template into the current solution. It opens the "Import" page.
- Delete: This button is used to delete the WorkPoint solution template.
- Download: This button is used to download a WorkPoint solution template as a ZIP file. The downloaded solution template can be uploaded to other WorkPoint solutions, even ones using a different license key.
If the WorkPoint solution export failed, it will be displayed in the jobs list on the Export/Import Solution Template page:
- To view information about why the export job failed, click "Open" in the "Log" column of the job.
4. Uploading a WorkPoint solution
Exported WorkPoint solution templates are linked to a specific license key and they cannot be directly imported into a different WorkPoint solution using an entirely different license key.
Consider the following image:
In the image above, a customer with the ID 9287 has 4 exported solution templates associated with it. Meanwhile, another customer with the ID 2857 has none.
Downloading a solution template from the 9287 customer and uploading it to a solution associated with the customer with ID 2857 will make the solution template available on the solution and all solutions on the same Customer ID.
This enables partners to configure their own WorkPoint template solutions, and offer them to customers.
The process is illustrated in the following image:
5. Importing a WorkPoint solution
WorkPoint solution templates must be imported into an empty WorkPoint solution i.e., a WorkPoint solution with no business modules and ideally no global settings configured.
Importing a WorkPoint solution template is done from the "Export/Import Solution Template" page:
- Click "Import" for the solution template you wish to import into the current solution.
This opens the "Import" page:
Note that all settings are always imported from the solution template during the import job. If a setting is checked in the Import page, the current settings for that area will be overwritten by the settings coming from the solution template. If a setting is not checked, the settings from the solution template will be added to the currently existing settings for that area.
- In the Import settings, check which settings should be overwritten by the import job. All settings will always be imported, but if a setting is checked in the Import page, the current settings for that area will be overwritten by the settings coming from the solution template. If a setting is not checked, the settings from the solution template will be added to the currently existing settings for that area.
- When ready to start the import job, click the "Import" button.
The Import job is now queued and progress is visible in the Export/Import Solution Template page:
Please be patient - importing a WorkPoint solution template may take a while depending on the size of the solution being imported.