Vault Connector to Forma Data Management

The Vault Connector connects Vault Professional with Forma Data Management. Engineering teams push Vault files, folder structures, properties, and attachments to Forma projects. Construction and extended teams then access that data without manual exports.

The Vault Connector Agent runs on the Vault Server. An administrator enables the connector and maps Vault folders to Forma hubs and projects. Users then sync files and folders on demand.

What the integration provides

The Vault Connector to Forma Data Management integration enables:

Folder-level mapping between Vault and Forma Data Management projects
Property mapping between Vault file properties and Forma Data Management properties
Configurable sync rules based on Vault property values
Attachment synchronization, including design representations and visualizations. By default, we sync all files referenced by the current file, including all levels of the reference hierarchy
On-demand Sync to Forma from the Vault client for files and folders
Go to Forma navigation from synced Vault objects
Sync status tracking with dedicated Vault properties and task queue visibility

How Forma differs from Fusion Manage

Both destinations use the same Vault Connector service. They target different data models.

Fusion Manage synchronizes Vault Items and BOMs. Configuration focuses on workspace and Item property mapping. The on-demand action is Sync to Fusion Manage from Item Master. Status properties include Fusion Manage Link State, Sync Status, and Synced Date.

Forma Data Management synchronizes Vault files and folders. Configuration focuses on hub, project, and folder mapping. The on-demand action is Sync to Forma for files and folders. Status properties include Forma Link State, Forma Sync Status, and Forma Synced Date.

Configure each destination on its own tab in Vault Connector Management. You can map to only one Forma hub at a time. Changing hubs clears existing Vault Connector Forma configurations.

Integration components

The Forma integration includes these components:

Vault Connector Agent: Server-side service that pushes data from Vault to Forma
Folder mappings: Links Vault folders to Forma Data Management folders, with optional sub-folder mapping. The following settings are configured per folder pair:
- Property mappings: Maps Vault file properties to Forma Data Management properties
- Sync rules: Conditions that control what syncs when you run Sync to Forma
- Attachment settings: Controls for design representations, visualizations, linked files, and file extensions
Sync methods: On-demand sync from the Vault client
Status tracking: Forma Link State icon, Forma Sync Status, and Forma Synced Date on Vault files

Requirements

Before using the Vault Connector with Forma Data Management, ensure the following requirements are met:

Vault Professional license for the connector service account
A user or network license for the service account. Network-license users must set the license server address in ADMS Console so the connector can obtain a license. See Vault licensing
Vault Connector enabled in ADMS Console (see Enable the Vault Connector for Forma)
Access to a Forma hub and Forma Data Management project, with at least Edit permission on the target folder
Vault service account with access to all Vaults on the server that participate in sync
Administrator permissions to configure folder and property mappings in the Vault client
Internet access from the Vault Server to Forma Data Management

Connector specifications

The Forma integration operates with these specifications:

Installs on Vault Server as part of the Vault Connector Agent
One-way push from Vault to Forma Data Management
Vault is the source of truth for synced properties (changes in Forma are overwritten on the next sync)
One Forma hub per Vault Connector configuration at a time
Logs connector activities in ADMS Console logs
Uses HTTPS for communications during transit

Configure the connector

Complete these tasks to configure the Vault Connector for Forma Data Management:

Use the connector

After configuration, users sync and open Forma content from the Vault client. This end-user task lives in the Work with Files and Folders in Vault section:

Sync Files and Folders to Forma

For frequently asked questions about the Vault Connector, see Vault Connector FAQs.