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Improve stability and reduce reliance on IT by leveraging ACL's ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) data access capabilities. Learn how to gain control of your data extraction process to increase output.
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Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
EXERCISE 3:
Data Access Drills
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
2ACL Services Ltd.
YOUR COACH
Shane Grimm, ACDA
20 years of experience with ACL
Certified ACL Trainer
Experienced coach of 1000’s of ACL users@shanegrimm
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
3ACL Services Ltd.
Getting Back in Shape
ACL BootCamp is a monthly webinar series designed to help ACL users of all levels learn new skills
Basic drills and also focusing on “problem areas”
#aclbootcamp
*Poll Question # 1
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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GUEST SPEAKER
Adrian Poon, CMA, CISA, ACDA
4 years audit experience with a Big 4 firm
Over 5 years experience using ACL
Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and ACL Certified Data Analyst (ACDA)
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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Introduction
ACL and Data Access
ACL is all about data access
We have been helping our customers access data for 25 years
*Poll Question # 2
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
6ACL Services Ltd.
Powerhouse of Data Retrieval
ACL Desktop provides access to data, such as:– Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access– dBase– Flat files– Report files (print-image)– Delimited files– XML– Various sources through ODBC
ACL AuditExchange extends this power to connect with:– DB2– SQL Server– Oracle
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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Hauling in Excel Files
Three steps:
1. Open file in Excel and review
2. Define file in ACL Desktop
3. Review and validate
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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Let’s see a Demo
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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Hauling in Excel Files
REVIEW
Excel file must be in a format that resembles an ACL Table» Remove blank lines» Remove subtotals or total lines
Column titles
Defining a range
Review and validate import
ACLScript to automate multiple imports
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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Sprinting with ODBC
Open DataBase Connectivity (ODBC)
A standardized method of transferring data to and from different database management systems
Many products use this technology to communicate with a database
WARNING: ODBC is capable of reading and writing. However, ACL is only capable of reading and will not write to your database
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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Sprinting with ODBC
You require a driver that is specific for your database
Every computer has its own set of ODBC drivers.
To see what drivers are installed on your computer Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC)
Microsoft Windows provides a few default drivers:» dBase Files» Excel Files» MS Access Database
Additional drivers can be added
Most databases require a User ID and Password
You must have a network connection to the database
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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Let’s see a Demo
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
13ACL Services Ltd.
Sprinting with ODBC
REVIEW
ODBC is a flexible method to access different types of data
Requires the correct driver specific to the database type» Most database manufacturers provide their own driver (not all are free)» Lots of good resources on the web. See Ken North’s site for a
comprehensive list of ODBC drivers: http://www.sqlsummit.com/ODBCVend.HTM
ODBC is read/write but ACL is read only
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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Sprinting with ODBC
REVIEW
ODBC uses a SQL WHERE clause to filter dataUnfortunately the syntax changes slightly depending on the database. Contact your database administrator for assistance writing a SQL statement
A database can have tables and views
ODBC data sources can be refreshed
ODBC imports can be scripted
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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Q & A
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
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Additional Resources
ACL Support Center Find answers to your most commonly asked questions
Knowledge base: Hundreds of tips and best practices to help you successfully access data, combine commands, create scripts
User Forum: Share tips and exchange experiences with ACL users around the globe
ACL Training ACL 105, Foundations of ACL: Instructor-led course with detailed section on
accessing different data sources
ACL 303, Functions and Scripts: Instructor-led course with detailed section on scripting your data imports
Copyright © 2011 ACL Services Ltd.
17ACL Services Ltd.
Additional Resources
ACL Consulting Team of subject matter experts and technical consultants with access to
thousands of analytic tests
Implementation methodology supports both onsite and remote solution development
Expertise across a variety of industries
Next ACL BootcampThursday, January 12, 2012
Exercise 4: Computed FieldsCross Training
Register at acl.com/bootcamp
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