Connect to Microsoft Project Data in ACL Analytics

ACL Analytics, part of Diligent HighBond, is a powerful data analysis software primarily used for audit, risk management, and compliance. It enables professionals to examine and analyze large volumes of data to identify anomalies, trends, and potential risks or fraudulent activities.

CData Connect Cloud offers a dedicated cloud-to-cloud interface for Microsoft Project, enabling analytics directly from live Microsoft Project data within ACL Analytics, all without the need for data replication to a native database. With its inherent optimized data processing capabilities, CData Connect Cloud efficiently channels all supported SQL operations, including filters and JOINs, directly to Microsoft Project. This leverages server-side processing to swiftly deliver the requested Microsoft Project data.

Configure Microsoft Project Connectivity for ACL Analytics

Connectivity to Microsoft Project from ACL Analytics is made possible through CData Connect Cloud. To work with Microsoft Project data from ACL Analytics, we start by creating and configuring a Microsoft Project connection in CData Connect Cloud.

1. Log into Connect Cloud, click Sources, and then click Add Connection

2. Select "Microsoft Project" from the Add Connection panel

3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Microsoft Project. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Microsoft Project.

   The User and Password properties, under the Authentication section, must be set to valid Microsoft Project user credentials. In addition, specify a URL to a valid Microsoft Project server organization root or Microsoft Project services file.

   
4. Click Create & Test
5. Navigate to the Permissions tab in the Add Microsoft Project Connection page and update the User-based permissions.

Add a Personal Access Token

When connecting to Connect Cloud through the REST API, the OData API, or the Virtual SQL Server, a Personal Access Token (PAT) is used to authenticate the connection to Connect Cloud. It is best practice to create a separate PAT for each service to maintain granularity of access.

1. Click on the Gear icon () at the top right of the Connect Cloud app to open the settings page.
2. On the Settings page, go to the Access Tokens section and click Create PAT.
3. Give the PAT a name and click Create.
4. The personal access token is only visible at creation, so be sure to copy it and store it securely for future use.

With the connection configured and a PAT generated, you are ready to connect to Microsoft Project data from ACL Analytics.

Connect to Microsoft Project from ACL Analytics

The steps below outline connecting to CData Connect Cloud from ACL Analytics to create a new Microsoft Project data source. The CData Connect Cloud Virtual SQL Server allows you to establish a connection to your data from integration tools that support connections to SQL servers. The Virtual SQL Server mimics the behavior of a traditional SQL server, and it supports a range of query options.

1. With your Analytics File open, select 'Import' --> 'Database and application'
2. Create a new SQL Server connection
3. Set the connection information
   • Server: tds.cdata.com
   • Port: 14333
   • Auth Scheme: Password
   • Username: a Connect Cloud user, for example, [email protected]
   • Password: the PAT for the above Connect Cloud user
   • Database: the name of your Microsoft Project connection, for example, MicrosoftProject1
   
4. Click "Test Connection"
5. Click "OK"
6. You are now ready to work with your Microsoft Project data in ACL Analytics!

Live connections to Microsoft Project data from your applications

ACL Analytics can now connect to live Microsoft Project data directly through Connect Cloud, allowing you to analyze Microsoft Project data without duplicating it.

To get live data access to 100+ SaaS, Big Data, and NoSQL sources directly from your applications, try CData Connect Cloud today!