System, method and computer program product for conditionally sharing an object with one or more entities

Abstract

In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for conditionally sharing an object with one or more entities. These mechanisms and methods for conditionally sharing an object with one or more entities can enable enhanced data sharing, simplified data security, etc.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method, comprising:
 a computing system providing access to a database record to a first set of entities;   the computing system monitoring a field associated with the database record;   the computing system determining that a value stored in the field has been modified;   in response to the determining, the computing system applying a sharing rule filter to the database record; and   based on the applying, the computing system granting access to the database record to a second, different set of entities.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first set of entities is a first set of tenants of a multi-tenant database system. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first set of entities includes a first tenant of a multi-tenant database system, and wherein the second set of entities includes a second, different tenant of the multi-tenant database system. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the database record includes a custom database object. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising receiving the database record from a particular one of the first set of entities. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the database record is created by the particular one of the first set of entities via an application hosted by the computing system. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the computing system includes a plurality of individual servers. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the granting access includes granting a specified access level. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the specified access level is a read-only access level. 
     
     
         30 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer instructions capable of causing operations comprising:
 hosting a database system over a network interface;   providing access to a database record to a first set of entities via the database system and over the network interface;   monitoring a field associated with the database record;   determining that a value stored in the field has been modified;   in response to the determining, applying a sharing rule filter to the database record; and   based on the applying, granting access to the database record to a second, different set of entities.   
     
     
         31 . The medium of  claim 30 , wherein the operations further comprise allowing an administrator to modify the sharing rule filter. 
     
     
         32 . The medium of  claim 30 , wherein the granting access includes allowing the second set of entities to search for the database record. 
     
     
         33 . The medium of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the second set of entities includes a plurality of hierarchically organized users. 
     
     
         34 . The medium of  claim 33 , wherein granting access to a particular user includes granting access to all users hierarchically above the particular user. 
     
     
         35 . The medium of  claim 30 , wherein the sharing rule filter includes at least one rule based on a cross-entity field reference. 
     
     
         36 . The medium of  claim 30 , wherein the operations further comprise storing, at a share table, information regarding all entities which have been granted access to the database record. 
     
     
         37 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer instructions capable of causing operations comprising
 providing access to a database record to a first set of entities, wherein the database record has a specified object type;   monitoring a field associated with the database record;   determining that a value stored in the field has been modified;   in response to the determining, applying a sharing rule to the database record, wherein the sharing rule is specific to the specified object type; and   based on the applying, granting access to the database record to a second, different set of entities.   
     
     
         38 . The medium of  claim 37 , wherein the operations further comprise applying the sharing rule to all database records having the specified object type. 
     
     
         39 . The medium of  claim 37 , wherein applying the sharing rule comprises applying a plurality of sharing rules. 
     
     
         40 . The medium of  claim 39 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving, from an administrator, a limit on a number of sharing rules for the specified object type.