ODBC: Key features and benefits

The list below summarises the advantages of using the IGSS ODBC interface:

You can …	By …
create a new IGSS object	inserting a record in the CONF table or the SUPERCONF table. These are the central tables containing common object properties.
edit multiple objects simultaneously	making database queries. You may, for example, want to use another template for a number of objects. You will then extract the relevant fields and make an update query that changes the name of the template used.
filter and sort information	using the filter and sort functions embedded in the database. This allows you to view information in ways which are not possible in Definition.
extract process data for further processing	filtering process data from the ALM, BCL, and LOG tables and then manipulate them in another application, for example, MS Excel.
create custom applications	using the built-in functions in the database, such as macros and queries. Dependent on your ability level, you can automate much of the repetitive work normally done in Definition.
access configuration data with an external programming tool	using, for example, Visual Basic to access the configuration data. This opens up new opportunities with all the additional functionality available in a programming tool.
create custom reports	extracting the relevant process data and build a report in the database. This allows you to create reports different from the built-in reports in IGSS. You can thus meet almost any customer demand related to reports.