A Direct Workgroup Configuration consists of two separate workgroups each containing their own data. In this configuration, there is no data replication involved. Neither workgroup keeps a copy of any of the data in the other workgroup. Any accesses made from one workgroup to another are done directly. It is possible to access most of the data in the remote workgroup via a Direct Configuration, however access to the workgroup depends entirely on what data that workgroup wishes to let you see.
Depending upon the mechanism you choose for accessing data via the Direct Workgroup Configuration (see Remote Workgroup Replication Strategies), you may have either full or only partial access to the data held in the workgroup. If you have partial access, you will be restricted to sending e-mail, notifications, meeting requests and task assignments to users belonging to the remote workgroup. If you have full access then, from within OfficeTalk, you will be able to open the remote workgroup and you will have access to a lot more data including diaries, projects, planners, meetings and contacts.
For example, to access the diary information of a user belonging to a remote workgroup via a direct configuration, you can simply select the workgroup name from the user drop down list in diary mode. This will open the remote workgroup.
Once you have done this, the drop down is populated with users belonging to the remote workgroup. Simply select the required remote user from the drop down list to show their diary information.
An advantage of a Direct Workgroup configuration over a Mirrored Workgroup configuration is that the workgroups can remain independent databases and do not need to merge with each other. A further advantage is that, since the remote workgroup data is accessed directly, all data is always fully up to date.
One disadvantage is that access to all data in the remote Workgroup is not possible. For example, you do not have access to any history information held in the remote workgroup. A further disadvantage is that any immediate data access requires that all users have direct or dial-up access to the Remote Workgroup's database. As a result, data transfer must be made over a potentially slow direct ODBC connection, hence the term Direct Workgroup Configuration.