MYOB odbc connection with Access

[Luke Bellamy]

Hi,
I have been investigating the ability to pull data from MYOB into my
access XP app.
I have been reading all the doco and have sampled the ODBC direct v5.7 demo
available.

1. MYOB uses a proprietary database format correct? I was hoping it could be
a mdb or dbf file
just renamed to ".myo" that I could connect to an extract data.
If this is the case I absolutely have to use their ODBC direct drivers. But
there must be some
way to read the database without using their drivers as their are "password
recovery" tools
that work?
The reason I want to do this... see point 2.

2. With MYOB v15 when you create a file you must register/activate it
online. Then
if you wish to pull data from it using the ODBC direct software from MYOB
you must
again register the file online. Not only do they have to enter their serial
number everytime but
also my "MYOB partner" identifier.
To me this is unacceptable for ODBC drivers that are supposed to make life
seamless and
easier. Instead MYOB have gone and ruined it by putting a "activation"
process in their for
each file you want to read data from. Very annoying.

 

[Albert D.Kallal]

1. MYOB uses a proprietary database format correct? I was hoping it could

be a mdb or dbf file

Well, the popular Simply Accounting uses JET, and mdb files (but, they
re-named the file extensions, and you also have to join the correct
workgroup file (which is also re-named!!!). ). So, if you figure out how to
attached to the workgroup file, then you *can* open simply accounting files.
I done this with Simply accounting to import data. Simply Accounting even
supplies a nice pdf file with all of the tables and fields explained...very
nice!!.

However, MYOB is not based on JET to my knowledge...., so, you can't open
MYOB files direct with ms-access.

If this is the case I absolutely have to use their ODBC direct drivers.
But there must be some

Well, at least they provide drivers. Can you use MYOB as a automation
object? (often this is MUCH better then odbc anyway). So, that would be the
first thing I check... (this would also eliminate the need to install/setup
the odbc drivers...which you explain below is painful). So, check if it can
be used as a com/automaton object...

to pull data from it using the ODBC direct software from MYOB you must
again register the file online. Not only do they have to enter their serial
number everytime but also my "MYOB partner" identifier.

Gee, that does sound bad. I would have NO problem if they had/have some
activation feature for their software. Up to that point, no problem.

However, having to activate the ODBC drivers every time sounds like a
different matter....(are you sure about this???).

Instead MYOB have gone and ruined it by putting a "activation" process in
their for each file you want to read data from. Very annoying.

Ok....it does sound like you are sure!!! (yuk!!). Like a I say, I have NO
problem with a activation scheme for the software package, but for each odbc
driver that connects, that does seem problematic...

Hum, this is really not much of a ms-access question at this point. I would
find out if there is a forum/group for MYOB....see what they come up
with.....and foremost look/ask about MYOB be a automation object...

 

[Luke Bellamy]

Thanks Albert,
Your right thinking about it now that it's not really an Access question
but
my application is in Access and I've found a few people asking about this
sort of interaction. Thought it might be of interest to others that have
accounting
like access applications.

To answer your question am I sure about the activation. Well I'm as sure
as asking them 3 times if this is really how it works and shaking my head.
I'm with you in that I have no problem with product activation but as far as
activating ODBC drivers I can only ask why they ruined it. Not really in the
spirit
of ODBC.
And to repeat myself... for every file.... thats just activation gone
mad!!!!!

Thanks for your input,
Luke