In today’s data-driven business environment, having access to accurate, up-to-date information across systems can make a crucial difference. If your organisation uses Microsoft SharePoint to manage lists, libraries or documents, but also relies on line-of-business (LOB) systems and SQL databases for reporting, CRM, ERP or analytics — it can be challenging to keep everything in sync. That’s where AxioWorks SQList comes into its own.
What is SQList?
SQList is a tool designed to bridge SharePoint and SQL Server by exporting SharePoint lists and libraries into fully synchronised SQL Server tables. Once set up, it continuously keeps those tables updated so that your SQL-based systems always reflect the latest SharePoint data.
The value lies in converting SharePoint’s collaborative, list-oriented data into a relational, query-friendly SQL format — making it simple to integrate with other systems, run analytics, build reports, or combine with data from your LOB applications.
Why Integrate SharePoint with LOB Systems?
Many organisations use SharePoint lists for document management, workflows or basic data records. However, when it comes to enterprise workflows, such as invoicing systems, CRM, inventory, HR or operations — those usually live in external, SQL-based applications (LOB systems). Integrating these sets of data allows you to:
- Combine SharePoint data with LOB data for unified views and better insights;
- Run cross-system queries and generate reports that include context from both SharePoint and LOB systems;
- Ensure your analytics and business intelligence always draw on live, up-to-date data;
- Avoid manual exports or error-prone copy-and-paste efforts;
- Maintain performance and scalability even as data grows.
Traditional integration methods — such as using external lists, custom code, or complex web services — often come with limitations or maintenance burdens. For example, methods like Business Connectivity Services (BCS) allow consuming external data in SharePoint, but they do not always support all SharePoint features (versioning, workflows, etc.), and can complicate security and permissions management.
How SQList Works — Simple Setup, Continuous Sync
The architecture of SQList is straightforward yet powerful:
- SQList runs as a Windows service (the “SQList Service”) and comes with a management interface (SQList Manager) for configuration.
- Connect using standard SharePoint web services (HTTP/HTTPS) and standard SQL Server connections — no modifications to either the SharePoint environment or SQL Server required.
- Select the lists and libraries you wish to export; SQList automatically generates corresponding SQL tables, including support for lookup columns, relationships, and attachments/document binary content when applicable.
- The service cycles through configured SharePoint sites and lists, polls for updates, and applies changes to the SQL tables. By default, after each cycle it waits a short period (e.g. 10 seconds) before repeating — giving near real-time synchronisation.
- Depending on your licence and configuration, SQList can process lists sequentially or in parallel — speeding up replication for larger systems.
- Because it uses standard protocols and ports (SharePoint over 80/443; SQL Server over 1433 by default), there’s seldom a need for major firewall or network changes — making deployment low friction.
Benefits of Using SQList for LOB Integration
By exporting SharePoint data into SQL Server tables and keeping them synchronised, SQList opens up a range of benefits for integrating with LOB systems:
- Real-time or near real-time data access: Data changes in SharePoint are propagated rapidly into SQL, so LOB systems always work with current information.
- Unlimited querying and reporting: SQL tables do not suffer from SharePoint’s view threshold limitations or performance constraints. Large datasets, cross-site joins and complex queries become possible.
- Seamless integration with analytics tools: Once in SQL, data can feed into BI tools (e.g. Power BI), reporting frameworks (SSRS), custom LOB applications, or other systems — making SharePoint data part of your broader data ecosystem.
- Reduced complexity and maintenance: There’s no need for custom code, custom APIs or complicated workflows. Once configured, SQList handles synchronisation automatically.
- Scalable and reliable: SQList supports all recent versions of SharePoint (on-premises and Online) and SQL Server (on-premises or Azure). It scales with growth and supports multiple sites/databases with flexible replication options.
- One-time licence, predictable cost: The licence model is straightforward: a perpetual licence ensures no unexpected subscription renewals — beneficial for business budgeting.
Use Cases — When SQList Adds Most Value
SQList is most useful where organisations need to combine SharePoint data with other business data sources, for example:
- Feeding SharePoint list data into ERP or CRM systems for unified business processes;
- Building dashboards or reports that span SharePoint and LOB data (e.g. employee records, documents, workflows, financial data);
- Running cross-site or cross-system analytics without recreating or manually exporting data;
- Allowing Business Intelligence teams to access SharePoint data through SQL — without relying on SharePoint APIs or facing performance issues;
- Migrating legacy SharePoint-based data into a SQL environment for modernisation or consolidation.
How to Get Started with SQList
Getting started is straightforward. Install SQList on any machine that can reach both SharePoint and SQL Server (they do not need to reside on the same server). Then:
- Open SQList Manager and configure your SharePoint connection (on-premises or Online) and your SQL Server database connection.
- Select the lists and/or libraries you want to synchronise.
- Start the SQList Service — it will build the necessary SQL tables, map relationships, and begin the synchronisation process automatically.
- Optionally: configure multiple instances, run parallel synchronisation, or tune synchronisation cycles for performance (especially useful for large sites or heavy usage).
- Once data is in SQL, connect your LOB systems, BI tools or custom applications to those tables — your SharePoint data is now part of your unified data platform.
Why SQList Often Beats Custom Integration or Manual Exports
Some organisations attempt to build their own integration tools or rely on manual exports to move data from SharePoint to SQL. Others try to keep everything inside SharePoint — but SharePoint wasn’t built as a relational database, and limitations soon arise. For example, SharePoint lists may struggle with relational complexity, performance at scale, or limitations such as view thresholds and lack of cross-site querying support.
In contrast, SQList offers a ready-made, supported and robust solution. It requires no custom development, works with standard SharePoint and SQL configurations, and gives you the scalability and performance of a SQL-based architecture without sacrificing the convenience and familiarity of SharePoint.
Take the Next Step — Give SQList a Try
If you’re managing SharePoint lists, libraries or document repositories — especially across multiple sites — and you also use LOB systems or SQL-based applications for reporting, analytics or operations: SQList can help you bring everything together. With a simple installation and configuration, you can transform your SharePoint data into a first-class part of your enterprise data landscape.
We invite you to try SQList and see how easy it is to—
- convert SharePoint lists into SQL tables,
- keep them synchronised in real time,
- and integrate SharePoint data into your LOB systems, BI tools or custom analytics.
Visit the SQList page on our website for further details, documentation and to start your free trial.
