Configure and create datalinks
Once you have completed the ODBC setup, you can configure the Transaction Broker. The setup is a two-step process:
Define one or more Datalink records, establishing an association between a third party data source and the Accounts datafile.
Define the Details (selection criteria) to be applied to each Datalink.
Define Datalinks
Once you have configured all your datalinks, you can specify the selection criteria (Details) to apply to each one.
Toolbar buttons
To create a new datalink or edit an existing one, click Define datalinks on the toolbar. Existing datalinks are listed here.
Print: Print a report detailing your datalinks to printer, screen, or file.
Insert: Create a new datalink record. Click Insert to open the Datalink window.
Edit: Edit an existing datalink. Click the record in the list, then click Edit.
Delete: Remove an existing datalink. Click the record, then click Delete. Confirm deletion when prompted.
Datalink items: Once a datalink is set up, specify the Details and selection criteria for importing transactions.
Click a datalink name in the list and click Datalink items to open the Details window.
DataLink List
Active column: Right-click a datalink to toggle its active status — for the selected datalink, all datalinks, or all except the selected one.
Datalink record
Name, Active and Validate only options
Enter a name for the new datalink and tick Active. Only active datalinks are processed when Transaction Broker runs.
Untick Active to temporarily disable a datalink without deleting it. Tick it again to reactivate.
Tick Validate only to test your data against the Transaction Broker and Dimensions database without updating any account data.
Datalink type, Enclose Table, and Details
Select the datalink type from the drop-down. There are 8 types:
ODBC: Transfers data from one ODBC-compatible database to another.
OMNIS SQL: Transfers data from an Omnis datafile into the target datafile.
Access LAN: Transfers data from an Access Accounts (Horizons or Foundations) datafile into the target datafile.
EMAIL: Collects data from an email form and uses it to update your Access Accounts data.
XML (IN): Processes incoming Orders sent using XML (BASDA Schema 3).
XML (OUT): Processes outgoing Orders sent using XML from Horizons.
TEXT Input: Transfers data directly from a text file (tab-delimited or CSV).
XML Currency Rates: Downloads currency exchange rates in XML format from the internet and applies them to the specified accounts file.
For all types except Email and XML, you can use the Enclose Table option to specify the character required by your source datafile to enclose and separate individual table names.
Either select from the drop-down or enter the character manually. If you are unsure which character is required, refer to the documentation for your source datafile. By default, Transaction Broker does not use an Enclose Table character.
Connect to
For all datalinks, select the Access Accounts software to connect to and enter information about the source database.
Access Dimensions/ Dimensions Lite
Enter, or look up, a Data Source Name.
Enter the Username, Password, and User ID (or use Windows Authentication).
Enter, or look up, the Database Name.
Click Check OK to validate the connection and user details.
Access Horizons v5
Enter, or look up, a Data Source Name.
Enter the Username, Password, and User ID (or Windows Authentication).
Enter, or look up, the Database Name.
Click Check OK to validate the connection and user details.
Access Horizons/ Foundationsxp
Enter the Datafile path name or browse to locate your Access Accounts datafile.
Enter the User ID and password.
Click Check OK to validate the connection and user details.
Update Frequency
In the top right, set the Update Frequency. This controls how often Transaction Broker runs this datalink.
Tick the checkboxes for the weekdays on which Transaction Broker should run.
You can then specify:
at: A set time for Transaction Broker to run.
and/or every: A set frequency in hours, minutes, and seconds.
For 5 second updates, enter real-timeline interval.
If you use this option, you can also specify No initial delay. This means that when you start Transaction Broker, this datalink will run straight away and then at the set interval, rather than waiting for the interval and then running.
You can also Allow 'On Demand' which will enable you to run the datalink manually whenever you wish to, as well as running automatically at the set frequency.
on demand only: Transaction Broker runs only when started manually.
If Transaction Broker is set to run at a set frequency, you can pause processing during a set time window each day — for example, when a backup is running. Tick Pause Processing and set the Start and Finish times. Transaction Broker resumes at the Finish time. You can also configure Pause Processing in System Options.
Finish Defining Datalinks
When finished creating your datalink, click Accept to return to the Define Datalinks window. The new datalink appears in the list.