Chris-Linfoot.net

• Lotus Notes 7.0.3 clients against a Lotus Domino 7.0.3 server.
  
  
• Salesforce Connector for Lotus Notes version 3.2 installed.
  
  
• Salesforce credentials stored and tested in the Salesforce connector which connects to and authenticates with the Salesforce API successfully.
  
  
• Attempts to mark items for sync led to the error:
  
  Invalid Context
  
  The current database is not enabled for use with the Salesforce integration plug-in. Check the custom template classes parameter at Salesforce Options | User Permissions. (15)

I had suspected that this was a known issue with a simple solution - specifically what to enter in that field custom template classes. Finding that solution was like pulling teeth but it did turn out to be simplicity itself.

The Salesforce connector seems to assume a Notes client version of 6 and it seems to check the client version by looking at the template names used by the user's mail file and personal address book. Specifically, it is looking for StdR6Mail and StdR4PersonalAddressBook respectively.

The Salesforce connector is also said to be supported on Notes 7, but of course a Notes 7 user is unlikely to be using a Notes 6 mail template and so the Salesforce connector needs to be told what mail template is in use.

This is on the Salesforce Options dialog, in the last tab titled User Permissions.

There is a field there labelled Custom template classes, and all that is necessary to Make the Salesforce connector correctly recognise a Notes 7 mail database is to type the name of the mail template in use into that field and save the settings, then restart Notes. The address book template does not need to be explicitly nominated as it is still named StdR4PersonalAddressBook.

See? Simplicity itself and, so it transpires, documented in the Salesforce help system though that help document had proved elusive.

Now. You know me. I never know when to stop and, although the Salesforce connector is not supported on Notes 8, I thought I'd try it.

Here's the thing. On Notes 8 Basic configuration, using the mail template StdR8Mail, it seems to work pretty well. The address book template still does not need to be explicitly nominated as it is still named StdR4PersonalAddressBook, even on Notes 8.

OK. Let's be really stupid and try it in Notes 8 Standard Configuration (Eclipse).

Well, the Salesforce connector loads correctly when Notes loads and it may even work, though there are limitations.

• Firstly, the Salesforce options do not appear in the context (right click) menus in Notes 8 Standard Configuration. That might not be a problem, as these options are also surfaced through the Actions menu, but...
  
  
• That Actions menu is illustrated on the right here. Observe plentiful white space where Salesforce options should appear. I seem to recall that Volker posted some similar artefact observed in the Notes 8 UI a while ago.
  
  These menu options do actually work but, as you can't see what they are, you need to have a good memory for the names of the options and their relative positions in the menu.

So, in summary, Notes 8 Standard Configuration is a no go, but classic Notes 6, 7 and 8 are actually OK.

Category: Software
Technorati: SalesForce.com

1. Tanner26/04/2008 21:03:46
Homepage: http://www.tannershamrock.com

We'll be integrating with Lotus Notes relatively soon. That should be fun.

Hey, if anyone is looking for a part time Salesforce.com APEX developer to perform any range of customizations, email me at tannershamrock@gmail.com.

2. Alan Head12/06/2008 14:43:33

Sounds like Salesforce need someone with a little Domino knowledge to sort out the support minefield they've just created with that one. I'm sure I'm not alone in running an environment with multiple mail templates and there is undoubtedly a better way to validate client version...

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