The BI Connector can connect several types of datasource to the BI Cloud. In this article we shall describe the process for connecting an EXO, SAP B1 or Datapel Server datasource.
After Sign Up the system will display the BI Admin Console. You can also get to this Console by logging in at my.bi4cloud.com
You can connect a company file by selecting "+ Add Company"
Before you do this you should ensure you have the following
- Are you on the server where the EXO, SAP, Attache or Datapel SQL Server database is located or are you on a computer that has access to the SQL Server and does this computer stay on 24-hours a day ?
- Do you have the SQL Server login and password ?
- Do you know the name of the EXO, SAP B1, DataPel database to connect ?
If that's all go then press "+ Add Company" and web page showing all the available connection types will be shown, the Server connections are shown in the lower half of the screen and choose the system you want to connect by pressing on it's image.
This instigates a download of the BI Connector and once the download is complete you need to install the connector. Choose Open to run it.
The connector install will launch and you will need to press next to proceed with the install.
This program relies upon Microsoft .NET 4.0 and if that is not installed then it will be downloaded and installed automatically. This can take time on a slow internet connection.
Once the install is done press Finish
The BI Connector will now launch and you need to confirm you wish to Log In.
After pressing Log In the connector program displays a unique device key and simultaneously launches a web browser displaying the same key. The first window flashes and may be obscured by the browser window. You need to press Confirm in the browser window.
You will then be presented with the Bi4Cloud Authentication screen where you enter your BI4Cloud credentials (login and password) to connect and identify the connector to our Cloud.
After login as success dialog is displayed in the browser. To proceed you need to close the browser page.
The first time you install the connector the following screen will be displayed.
Types of Connection - Simple or Advanced
The above screen is used to connect a single company or datasource to our cloud servers. This is what we term a Simple connection.
The BETTER alternative is an Advanced connection which is accessed by clicking the Advanced Options link on the lower right side of this screen.
A Simple connection has the following attributes
- Only one company can be connected
- The connection information must be enter each time a refresh is required
- A simple connection refresh is only ever manually instigated so there is no overnight refresh or refresh on demand
The Simple option exists primarily for legacy MYOB Classic users who do not have access to the MYOB server or do not have the MYOB Admin password or don't have Windows Admin or keep they MYOB file on their computer and the computer is not always powered on.
Although a simple connection will sync data fine its limitations are such that we recommend using Advanced instead. Setup Simple Single Company with Manual Refresh
An Advanced connection has the following attributes
- Multiple companies and databases can be connected
- Connections can be a mix of a supported application i.e. MYOB Classic, EXO, etc
- Advanced connections can be set for Automatic mode and so data is refreshed overnight or on demand
We strongly recommend you use the Advanced connection to connect your data. Setup an Advanced Options with Auto Refresh
Note:The BI connector install creates a link on your desktop so that you can always use that to re-run the connector. So if you need to consider the above options you can use the desktop icon to re-run the connector.
Single Company Selection and Refresh
1. To connect single company to synchronise
- Choose the Product Type [EXO | SAP B1 | DataPel]
If you do not see the EXO, SAP, DataPel option check you have set Advanced Database in your organisation article here
- Next press the Build button
- A SQL connection dialog will appear
- Press the SQL Server down arrow to show the SQL Server options
- The program will search for available SQL Server connections - this may take a minute, once done you will need to select a connection
- Enter the SQL server credentials and then choose your database from the pulldown list
- The selected database is shown
- You can press Test button to test the connection
- press Save to save the details
- You now need to enter the name of this company as it will appear in BI for Cloud
- Then press Refresh to commence the sync
- You will see a progress marker with start time and completion times.
- The time it takes to extract and sync depends upon your server speed and you Internet connection speed
- Now that the sync is done you can run BI4Cloud
- We recommend that you open a web browser and goto my.bi4cloud.com and login
- For convenience there is a Start Analysing button that will do this in the connector but you should restrict use of this an instead login through the above web link.
Important Note
- Only install one connector for an Organisation.
- If you install more than one connector then they will overwrite and corrupt each others information on the cloud server.
- If you change servers ensure you delete the BI connector on the old server before installing the new one.
To access BI4Cloud use any PC or tablet, open a web browser and goto my.bi4cloud.com and login
Advanced Option with Auto Refresh
To connect one or more datasources you should choose the Advanced Options link from the bottom of the Simple screen. Once chosen then Advance Options will be your default.
- The following form will display
- if there was a previously connected datasource it will be displayed
- Note that the default Refresh Mode is Automatic - best to leave this as is.
- To add or change a connection press the Edit
- Choose the Product type [ EXO | SAP B1 | DataPel ]
If you do not see the EXO, SAP, DataPel option check you have set Advanced Database in your organisation article here
- Press Build button to open the SQL Dialog
- Choose SQL Server from the dialog
The system will look on for the database servers and populate the server list. This can take a minute or two. Use the down arrow to choose the Server that holds the SQL server database
- Choose the Server
- Enter the SQL server Credentials
- Select your database from the list of databases
- Press Test
- Press Save
- Ensure you enter the name of the company as you will see it in BI4Cloud
- Sync the data from the connection
- Refresh complete
- Now that the sync is done you can run BI4Cloud
- We recommend that you open a web browser and goto my.bi4cloud.com and login
- For convenience there is a Start Analysing button that will do this in the connector but you should restrict use of this an instead login through the above web line.
Important Note
- Do Not Leave the connector form up and running. If you do the connector will not poll our Cloud servers and no Auto Refresh will occur. Close all the connector forms.
- Only install one connector for an Organisation.
- If you install more than one connector then they will overwrite and corrupt each others information on the cloud server.
- If you change servers ensure you delete the BI connector on the old server before installing the new one.
To access BI4Cloud use any PC or tablet, open a web browser and goto my.bi4cloud.com and login
I'm Connected - What Now ?
We suggest you login to your BI4cloud account at my.bi4cloud.com and try the default favourites we have created running on your data.
There are several resources available so you can chose what works for you depending on your preferences.
1. I like to watch - Plenty of video resources at See It
2. I like to read - Articles on using BI4Cloud at Getting Started
3. I like to be shown - Book a free 15 mins free dem or buy some consultant time at Booking Appointment
4. Also this article on Getting Support can help
Happy Analysing.