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This article is part of the complete 'External calendar integration (Outlook/Google Calendar)' documentation. For a complete overview, see: External calendar integration (Outlook/Google Calendar) |
Introduction
At Spacewell, our Workplace software integrates with Microsoft Exchange to facilitate room reservations and calendar synchronization, providing an efficient workspace management solution for organizations. Over the years, we have adapted our approach to accommodate IT and data privacy concerns from our clients, particularly those in sectors like banking and consultancy, where data security and compliance are paramount. This document details the evolution of our integration approach, explaining the transition from user-centric to room-centric synchronization and the benefits and limitations of each model.
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In the 2010s, Spacewell’s integration with Microsoft Exchange was based on our MCS software, which utilized a user-centric model. This approach offered User-Centric Integration and thus full-access to employee calendars by our software, through the Microsoft Graph API, allowing our software to access, read and write into users' calendars directly.
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4. Comparing User-Centric and Room-Centric Models
Feature | User-Centric Model | Room-Centric Model |
|---|---|---|
Data Access | Direct access to user calendars (MS Graph API) | Syncs only room calendars, no user data access |
Integration with Outlook | Seamless extension of Outlook features | Limited to room management actions |
Privacy and Compliance | Higher data access, leading to IT and DPO concerns | Easier acceptance with minimal data access |
Reservation Management | Full control over user-created reservations | Limited to room-based actions (accept/decline/end/extend) |
Adoption Rate | Slower due to privacy concerns | Higher due to simplified integration requirements |
5. Future Directions and Enhancements
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