Creating a Connection

To be able to access a Jiwa database, a connection must first be created to point to it. After a connection is created, it is remembered for the current windows user and can be selected from the "Connection Name:" drop down in the future. To this end, a user can have their own set of regularly used connections such as LiveDatabase, JiwaDemo, LiveDatabase_QA (for testing), etc.

From the main Login Dialog, click on the "Connections..." button to start the Connection Wizard. 

 

Click "Next>" to move to the "Select a Task" screen. 

 

We want to create a new connection, so ensure that the "Create a new connection" radio button is selected, and then click "Next>" to reveal the "Enter New Connection Details" screen: 

 

The first piece of information that should be provided on this screen is the "Connection Name" - provide a name that identifies the connection. Using the name of the database as the connection name would be a sound choice. Then, select whether the database to be connected to resides on a SQL Server or on a LocalDB instance.

If the database resides on a SQL Server, select the "Connect to a SQL Server" radio button and enter the following details:

• Server - Type in the name of the SQL Server upon which the database resides, or click the down arrow to view a list of SQL Servers discovered on the local network.

• Database - Once a SQL Server has been selected, use the "Database" drop down to select a database from a list of Jiwa databases found on the server.

If the database resides on a LocalDB instance, select the "Connect to LocalDB" radio button, and simply choose the Jiwa database from the "Database" drop down.

Click on the "Next>" button to continue on to the "Summary" screen. 

 

This screen consists of a tree that contains the action that is about to be performed, and the details of that action. Once the action and details have been verified to be correct, click the "Finish" button to create the new connection. This displays a progress screen which will indicate the current progress of the operation. 

 

A "Stop" button is available to cancel the operation - note that the current action may have to complete before the overall operation can be aborted.

When the operation is complete this screen will indicate whether the operation succeeded or failed - if a failure occurs and error message will be included. The "Report" button can be used to save a record of the operation in the form of a PDF file. The contents of the PDF file will include the status of each action, and any accompanying messages. Click "Close" to return to the main Jiwa login dialog screen. 

Modifying a Connection

Existing connections can be modified. Specifically, the name of a connection can be changed, or the database to which it points can be changed.

From the main Login Dialog, click on the "Connections..." button to start the Connection Wizard. 

 

Click "Next>" to move to the "Select a Task" screen. 

 

We want to modify an existing connection, so ensure that the "Create an existing connection" radio button is selected, and then click "Next>" to reveal the "Select an existing connection" screen: 

 

Select the connection to be modified from the drop down list, then click "Next>". 

 

On the "Modify Connection Details" screen (shown above), the name of the connection can be changed, as well as the server and database pointed to by the connection. After changes have been made, click on "Next>" to go to the "Summary" screen: 

 

This screen consists of a tree that contains the action that is about to be performed, and the details of that action. Once the action and details have been verified to be correct, click the "Finish" button to create the new connection. This displays a progress screen which will indicate the current progress of the operation. 

 

A "Stop" button is available to cancel the operation - note that the current action may have to complete before the overall operation can be aborted.

When the operation is complete this screen will indicate whether the operation succeeded or failed - if a failure occurs and error message will be included. The "Report" button can be used to save a record of the operation in the form of a PDF file. The contents of the PDF file will include the status of each action, and any accompanying messages. Click "Close" to return to the main Jiwa login dialog screen. 

Deleting Some Existing Connections

To remove one or more connection entries from the connection list click on the "Connections..." button from the main Login Dialog. This starts the Connection Wizard. 

 

Click "Next>" to move to the "Select a Task" screen. 

 

We want to delete an existing connection, so ensure that the "Delete some existing connections" radio button is selected, and then click "Next>" to reveal the "Delete Connections" screen: 

 

Use the trashcan icon on the left hand side to delete one or more connections. After doing so the "Next>" button will be enabled. Note that the connections have not been actually deleted yet - this does not happen until we confirm our action at the end of the wizard. Click "Next>" to go to the "Delete some existing connections - Summary" screen: 

 

Check the summary screen to ensure that the correct connections are going to be deleted. When satisfied that all is correct, click "Finish" to begin the deletion process. 

 

A "Stop" button is available to cancel the operation - note that the current action may have to complete before the overall operation can be aborted.

When the operation is complete this screen will indicate whether the operation succeeded or failed - if a failure occurs and error message will be included. The "Report" button can be used to save a record of the operation in the form of a PDF file. The contents of the PDF file will include the status of each action, and any accompanying messages. Click "Close" to return to the main Jiwa login dialog screen. 

Testing a Connection

A connection can be tested for validity by clicking on the "Connections..." button from the main Login Dialog. This starts the Connection Wizard. 

 

Click "Next>" to move to the "Select a Task" screen. 

 

We want to test an existing connection, so ensure that the "Test an existing connections" radio button is selected, and then click "Next>" to reveal the "Select an Existing Connection" screen: 

 

Choose the connection to test from the drop-down list and click "Next>". 

 

On the summary screen verify that the selections are correct and click on the "Finish" button to begin the connection test. 

 

A "Stop" button is available to cancel the operation - note that the current action may have to complete before the overall operation can be aborted.

When the operation is complete this screen will indicate whether the operation succeeded or failed - if a failure occurs and error message will be included. The "Report" button can be used to save a record of the operation in the form of a PDF file. The contents of the PDF file will include the status of each action, and any accompanying messages. Click "Close" to return to the main Jiwa login dialog screen. 

Connections Template

When a company employs new users, you may want their database connections to be pre-set based on a template, rather than requiring them to use the wizard.

Jiwa works by creating a JiwaConnections.xml file for each user.  If this file does not exist for a new user Jiwa will use a connections template if one exists.

Steps to create a Connections Template:

1. Create your Jiwa connections once logged in to the network based on the standard or model user using the wizard.

2. Look for the JiwaConnections.xml file for that user.  You will need to open Windows Explorer and search for '%appdata%'.  The file should appear here:  c:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Jiwa Financials\JiwaConnections.xml.  (Where Username is the username of the staff member you were logged in as).

3. Copy this file and save it to the following directory, renamed as JiwaConnectionsTemplate.xml.  c:\Program Files (x86)\Jiwa Financials\Jiwa 7\JiwaConnectionsTemplate.xml