1) What is ODBC? - It stands for Open Database Connectivity.
2) How can ODBC benefit me in my the performance of my job?
The possibilities are endless. The reality depends on
- Your willingness to venture into to new ways of approaching existing processes and procedures.
- Your willingness to embrace technology and learn more about applications such as Excel, SSRS Reports, Access, and Word.
3) What are some practical uses of ODBC?
- Producing invoices for clients that have rigid and voluminous invoicing requirements by live linking information in Protrax into an Excel workbook.
- Create an Access interface database and live link the Protrax tables in Access to execute mass changes quickly & efficiently.
- Use to design & create reports & modify invoice formats using SSRS Reports.
- Live link information into 3rd party software to reduce redundancy and leverage the power of the Axium Protrax database.
4) How do I setup an ODBC data source? - Click here for step by step instructions
5) How do I get started?
It is great to get out and learn these types of things on your own. I learned the majority of my knowledge experimenting and performing my own research. However, I can honestly say it took me several years to master the concepts. You have to have solid knowledge of:
- ODBC
- Protrax data files. Where an how the data is stored.
- The application you are interfacing with such as Excel or Access.
If you want to accelerate your learning and employ some of the uses of ODBC sooner rather than later, then seek the assistance of Certified Axium Consultant or other training source. It helps immensely if your training is centered around Protrax and not an unrelated database such as Access. You can contact me for assistance or a referral in your local area. email me at: mbrennan@unlockthedata.com.