You can use data from the ClearSCADA database in Third Party ODBC client applications such as SAP Crystal Reports and Microsoft Excel. The data can be used in reports, spread sheets, other databases, and so on.
To use a Third Party ODBC client application to access your ClearSCADA system, you need to install the Data Access components of ClearSCADA on the same computer as the Third Party ODBC client application(s). This is because the Third Party ODBC applications need to use the Data Access components to connect to a ClearSCADA database.
We refer to computers that run Third Party ODBC applications and have Data Access components installed as Third Party ODBC Clients.
Communications between the ClearSCADA server and the Data Access components installed on the ODBC client work in a similar way as communications between a ViewX client and a ClearSCADA server. The only difference is that with an ODBC client, there is a single link that is used for client to server messages and server responses. There is no server advise link for unsolicited messages from the server. For more information, Understanding Client - System and Server Advise Connections.
To allow a Third Party ODBC client to access the ClearSCADA system, the Data Access components have to be:
- Installed on the computer that runs the Third Party ODBC application(s)
- Able to access a valid connection to ClearSCADA on the ODBC client PC
- Associated with a valid Data Access license.
To connect a computer that runs Third Party ODBC applications to the server, you can either:
- Use a DSN Configure an ODBC Client - System Connection using a DSN:
- Check that the ClearSCADA Client connections are configured correctly Configure an ODBC Client - System Connection using a DSN. A full ViewX connection is not required - a Data Access connection can be used instead.
- Check that you have a valid Data Access license by examining the License Details display (right-click on the server icon in the Windows taskbar then select the License Details option).
Or:
- Create an ODBC Client-System Connection programmatically, using a ClearSCADA ODBC Connection string.