Adding a VisualSPC Data Source

The VisualSPC connector allows you to connect and configure the following ShopFloor SPC database types for use with Proficy Portal:

For a list of ShopFloor SPC (VisualSPC) releases supported for use with the VisualSPC connector, see System Requirements.

In the Administration application, you can add and configure a VisualSPC connector to the Proficy Portal server by opening the Quality folder and selecting the VisualSPC node. The Administration application displays the following fields:

VisualSPC Data Source Properties 

Property

Description

Logical Name

Specifies the name for the data source. This name need not be the actual name of the database you are connecting to.

Visual SPC Database Type

Specifies the type of database to connect to (Access, Oracle, or SQL Server).

Access Database

Specifies the path and name of the Access database you are connecting to. Click the ellipsis button to browse for the database. The Access database must reside on the Proficy Portal server. By default, the ADO driver is used to connect with an Access database.

Advanced button

Click this button to display more options (connect string and driver settings). This button is available only if you select the Access option.

Oracle Tablespace

Displays the tablespace name for the Oracle database. This field is available only if you select the Oracle option.

Driver Information

 

Driver

Specifies the type of data you want to connect to; for example, DB2, SQL Server, Oracle.

URL Syntax

Displays the syntax used for the driver's URL. This is specified in the JDBC Configuration utility for each driver. The syntax is intended to help you enter the database URL on this window.

Example URL

Displays an example of the driver's database URL. This is specified in the JDBC Configuration utility for each driver. The example is intended to help you enter the Database URL on this window.

Connection Information

 

User Name

Specifies the login name to use when connecting to the relational database.

Password

Specifies the password to use when connecting to the database.

Database URL

Specifies the URL of the database. Use the text in the URL Syntax and Example URL fields to help you enter the exact URL you require.

For example, if you are configuring an Oracle database, the URL syntax is jdbc:oracle:thin:@servername:portnumber:servername. Copy this line from the URL syntax field and replace the text after the at-sign (@) with the database's server name and port number, followed by server name again.

NOTE: If the User Name and Password fields are filled in, then you do not need to include them in the Database URL.

To add a VisualSPC data source

  1. In the Proficy Portal client application, click the Administration button on the main toolbar. The Administration application appears.

  2. Click the Connectors & Data Sources button. A directory tree appears.

  3. Expand the Quality folder and click the VisualSPC node in this folder. The Add New VisualSPC Data Source window appears.

  4. In the Logical Name field, enter the name of the data source.

  5. Select a Visual SPC Database type (Access, Oracle, or SQL Server).

  6. If you select an Access database, enter the path and filename of the database in the Access Database field, or click the ellipsis button to browse to and select the database. Click the Apply button and you can skip the remaining steps.

  7. If you want to specify a connect string and driver for an Access database, click the Advanced button to display additional fields and skip to step 10 to continue.

  8. If you select the Oracle option, skip to step 10 to continue.

  9. If you select the SQL Server option, skip to step 10 to continue.

  10. From the Driver list, select the driver name. The URL Syntax and Example URL fields are filled in automatically (from the JDBC Configuration Utility).

  11. In the User Name field, enter the user name you will connect to the database with.

  12. In the Password field, enter the password you will connect to the database with.

  13. In the Database URL field, enter the URL of the database you are connecting to. You can use the URL Syntax and Example URL fields to help you determine the URL.

  14. Click the Apply button to save your changes. The Test, Copy, Remove, and Reset Browse Cache buttons appear.

  15. NOTE: If you add a new Part or Characteristic to your database, or you edit an existing Characteristic name in your database, you must click the `Reset Browse Cache' button to see the new Part/Characteristic in the Proficy Portal Data Source Browser.

  16. Click the Test button to see if your connection is functioning properly. You will receive a message that the data source test passed or that it failed. If the test passed, you are ready to retrieve data. If the test failed, refer to Verifying a ShopFloor SPC Connection.

See Also

Managing a Data Source