How to Connect to Your Own Database in Standard

In the case that you have all of your data already stored in a database that can be directly connected to AlphaCard School ID Standard, it is often easier to connect the database directly rather than importing the data into the internal database. This guide will walk you through connecting a new design to your own database, and updating an existing design to connect to a different database.

How to Connect to Your Own Database

Connecting a Database with a New Template

1. The easiest way to connect to your own database is when you are first creating a template. To do so, go to the configuration tab.
2. Then click on New Template.
3. Name your Template and then Click Next
4. Select your options until you arrive at the database connection screen.
   
   
5. Select the option to Please Connect my New Template to my own Database. Then select the Add a new Database option.
6. On the new screen that appears, click Add.
7. First, name your database connection- this can be anything that you want, we suggest making it descriptive of what is in the database. Then use the drop down menu to select the type of database that you are connecting to. Then, click the ellipsis button (…) to browse for your database. Once all of these options are set, click Next.
8. On this page select the table of the database you want to connect to, and the primary key of that table. Once that is done, click next.
9. On the third page, select the fields you want to be able to search by, or see in the list view. Click Next.
10. On the fourth page, select if you want the user to be able to add, edit or delete user records. Depending on the type of database, some of these features may be unavailable. You can also select if you want the database to update the primary key automatically when you create a new record, or if you want to add it manually. Click Next.
11. On the fifth page, select database column by column if you want it to be visible to the user, editable, and if you want the field to be a text box to enter information into, or if you want the user to choose from a set of predefined values. Click Next.
12. On the last page, only fill out a storage item if you are using a Microsoft Access or SQL database and you are storing photo information directly into the database. If you are, click the Add button, name the Storage item, select the table you want to store the information into, the primary key of that table, and lastly the field you want the information saved into.
13. Then select the Photos/Signatures Tab and select if you are storing the signature or photo into that field. Once you are done, click Finish.
14. Once you are done, fill out the rest of the New Template wizard as needed. The database will now be linked to the template you are creating.

Connecting a Database to an Existing Template

1. If you want to add a database to an existing design, go to the Configuration tab.
2. Then click on Template Definition Wizard.
3. On this screen, in the box next to Do You Want to Connect to a Database, delete whatever is in the box already, and then type the name of the database link file you want to create (it can be anything). Then click Create.
4. On the new screen that appears, click Add.
5. First, name your database connection- this can be anything that you want, we suggest making it descriptive of what is in the database. Then use the drop down menu to select the type of database that you are connecting to. Then, click the ellipsis button (…) to browse for your database. Once all of these options are set, click Next.
6. On this page select the table of the database you want to connect to, and the primary key of that table. Once that is done, click Next.
7. On the third page, select the fields you want to be able to search by, or see in the list view. Click Next.
8. On the fourth page, select if you want the user to be able to add, edit or delete user records. Depending on the type of database, some of these features may be unavailable. You can also select if you want the database to update the primary key automatically when you create a new record, or if you want to add it manually. Click Next.
9. On the fifth page, select database column by column if you want it to be visible to the user, editable, and if you want the field to be a text box to enter information into, or if you want the user to choose from a set of predefined values. Click Next.
10. On the last page, only fill out a storage item if you are using a Microsoft Access or SQL database and you are storing photo information directly into the database. If you are, click the Add button, name the Storage item, select the table you want to store the information into, the primary key of that table, and lastly the field you want the information saved into.
11. Then select the Photos/Signatures Tab and select if you are storing the signature or photo into that field. Once you are done, click Finish.
12. You should now be connected to your database.

If you continue to experience problems, or have questions about your AlphaCard School ID software, please contact AlphaCard technical support.