Category Archives: Connectivity

Connectivity using Tally.ERP9 using HTML,ODBC , XML and Synchronization

The Technology Advantage of Tally.ERP 9

Behind the Scene

High Performance Data Engine:

Tally.ERP 9 uses a recursive object oriented, flexi-field, flexi-length embedded database engine giving a compact and fast performance. The in-built database engine also ensures that you do not need to install or understand any third party database like most other applications. Tally.ERP 9 is completely maintenance free without any administration required from your side. The perform- ance is reflected with most of the reports coming up instantly. Overall you get a smooth experience with a lower cost of ownership.

Data Reliability and automatic recovery

Tally.ERP 9 provides a high level of reliability of data with several technologies built into it. Your data does not get corrupted even if there is a sudden machine shutdown or network breakdown or power cut. This is ensured using the concept of transaction atomicity?? which is supported by the object oriented storage. Tally.ERP 9 uses data integrity checks intensively to detect any change to your data by external means. Any corruption happening in this way will be instantly detected as the program operates the data with a timely warning to you. Besides providing a warning, Tally.ERP 9 provides you a unique capability to recover from most corruptions by allowing you to simply rewrite the data. The corrupted data is then discarded and you can continue with normal operations, at the most re-entering the corrupted transactions or masters only.

Internet & Data exchange

HTTP-XML based data interchange

Tally.ERP 9 uses a recursive object oriented data structure which can naturally and easily be expressed as XML. Tally.ERP 9 can export your data in XML format and can also import data coming in XML format. This is a fundamental capability of the program and can be easily used to extract data for third party applications or to pump in data from third party applications as long as

it is compliant with the schema of a voucher or master.

The process can be automated since Tally.ERP 9 can run as an HTTP (Hyper text transfer protocol) server and can process requests for import or export in HTTP-XML to this server from other applications. Even third party web applications written in ASP, PHP, Java etc. can talk to

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The Technology Advantage of Tally.ERP 9

your Tally.ERP 9 running as an HTTP server and provide real-time information or remote data

input. The third party application can send a request to Tally.ERP 9 to get any report in XML or even in HTML formats. Even new reports can be added by defining them in TDL (Tally Definition Language). In the same way, a master or a voucher can be created in XML and sent to Tally.ERP

9 server as an HTTP-XML request and will be processed and stored by Tally.ERP 9.

This capability has been used to provide the synchronisation capability (explained in this document later) which allows data to be replicated, exchange between multiple Tally.ERP 9 instances running at same or different locations just by configuring the same.

All Tally.ERP 9 reports can be readily exported in XML format.


Figure 6.1 XML Request -Schema for Export of Trial Balance Report

ODBC – Open Database Connectivity

ODBC data access

Tally.ERP 9 provides an ODBC (Open database connectivity) driver natively which allows other applications like MS-Excel (which can use an ODBC data source) to directly pick up data from Tally.ERP 9 running as an ODBC server. This data is again real-time data and can be refreshed

by such applications any time as long as Tally.ERP 9 is running. You can pick and choose the available information and design your own reports in tools like Excel. The type of data available

on ODBC from Tally.ERP 9 can be extended using TDL (Tally definition Language).

ODBC compliance allows other programs to use data from Tally.ERP 9 directly.

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Procedure:

‡ Load Company > Press Alt+F2 (Change Period)

The Technology Advantage of Tally.ERP 9

‡

Minimize Tally.ERP 9

‡

Open a new Excel worksheet > Data > Import External Data

> Data Import

‡ Select Tally ODBC_9000 as Data Source

‡ Click Open


Figure 6.2 Data Source from Tally.ERP 9 in MS Excel Screen

Tally.ERP 9 connects to data source and displays Tally.ERP 9 Wizard query screen -> select the columns you would want to include in the query.


Figure 6.3 Table Selection in MS Excel Screen

Select the required columns (data). MS Excel displays the data selected.

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The Technology Advantage of Tally.ERP 9


Figure 6.4 Import of Tally.ERP 9 Ledger Data in MS Excel Screen

In a similar manner you can select other data for import into Excel and format your reports as per requirements.

Automatic data replication/exchange with synchronisation

Ability to synchronise data across multiple offices

Synchronisation process in Tally.ERP 9 helps you to transfer data between two or more locations. For instance, Synchronisation can be done both ways for the Head office of a company and its Branch office situated in two different locations.


Figure 6.5 Synchronisation Process between HO & Branch Offices