Creating ODBC Connections

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Overview

This document outlines the manual steps to create ODBC connections for an Access database and an SQL database in the Windows 7 environment as it relates to connecting a SEOM data file to external shipping software applications, or to connect additional workstations to a new SQL data file that was converted from Microsoft Access.

If an SQL data file is used by SEOM, it is preferable to utilize the same ODBC connection created by the program when the Microsoft Access database was converted to SQL in order to avoid human errors. Review the settings of the ODBC connection on the workstation or server where the data file was converted from Microsoft Access to SQL so that you can duplicate them on additional workstations.

If an Access data file is used, the preferred method to create an ODBC connection is through the WorldShip Setup function,  found at Main Menu > Shipping Functions > UPS WorldShip Setup. This function automatically creates a 32-bit ODBC connection for a Microsoft Access data file.  

If ODBC connections are made manually on a 64-bit operating system, please read the Knowledge Base article, Windows 64-bit Operating System Considerations before proceeding.   

Create an ODBC Connection to a Microsoft Access Database in Windows 7

  1. Click the Start Menu.

  2. Select Control Panel.

  3. Select System and Security.

  4. Select Administrative Tools and double-click Data Sources (ODBC).

  5. Click on the System DSN tab.

  6. Click Add.

  7. Select Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb) from the drivers list and click Finish.

  8. Enter a meaningful name for the data source, such as SEDataFile or SEStoreNameDataFile, if more than one data file is used. Enter a brief description of the connection, as well.

  9. Click Select to navigate to the location of SEOM’s data file. To determine the name or location of the data file used by the program, press CTRL+SHIFT+C at the Main Menu. This displays details about the file names (and their locations) used by SEOM. Look for the entry "Stone Edge Data File" to obtain the name and path information for your store’s data file.

  1. Click Options. Make sure that the Read Only and Exclusive options are NOT checked then click OK.

  2. The path for the data file appears in the list of System Data Sources in the ODBC Database Administrator window.

  3. Click OK.

Create an ODBC Connection to a Microsoft SQL Server Database in Windows7

If you are using a 64-bit machine, please refer to the topic Windows 64-Bit operating System Considerations.

  1. Select the Start Menu.

  2. Select Control Panel.

  3. Select System and Security.

  4. Select Administrative Tools and double-click Data Sources (ODBC).

  5. Select the System DSN tab.

  6. Select Add.

  7. Select SQL Server from the drivers list and click Finish.

  8. The next screen as you to enter a name for the data source. Make it a meaningful name, such as SEDataFile or SEStoreNameDataFile name, if more than one data file is used. Make a note of the name entered here, as it will be needed in future steps. Enter a brief description of the connection, as well. Select the appropriate instance of SQL Server with which to connect. It is possible to type in the name if it is not in the drop-down list.

  9. Select Next.

  10. The next screen asks for information about the method of authentication used to connect to the data base. This topic describes the method recommended by Stone Edge Technologies Inc., however, check with your system administrator about the proper settings for your environment.

  11. Select With Windows NT authentication using the network login ID and password.

  12. Connect to SQL Server to obtain default settings for the additional configuration options. should already be selected.

  13. Select Next.

  14. Select the SEOM store file from Change the default database to : and leave Use ANSI quoted identifiers. and  Use ANSI nulls, paddings and warnings. selected.

  15. Select Next.

  16. Leave Perform translation for character data. selected.

  17. Select Finish.

  18. Select Test Data Source to verify the connection. You should see the message " Tests Completed Successfully!".

  19. Select OK three times to exit the dialog.

Additional Information

Windows 64-Bit Operating System Considerations

Windows 7

Created:

Revised: 8/2/12

Published: 04/13/16