Preferred Strategies' QuickLaunch

Author:  Eric Vasbinder

Logistics Summary

Support Status:  Supported

Integration Method:  ODBC Direct

Connection Method:  

• TLS Database Endpoint (TLS VPN) (PREFERRED) 

• IPSEC VPN from Customer Environment

Hosted:   NO (CURRENTLY SUPPORTED METHOD) / YES (LEGACY METHOD)

Deployment Methods:

• OPTION A - Customer Hosted (SUPPORTED) (a.k.a. "Optimized Data Store"):

  • This method will replicate various parts of the Vista database to an external location for use by the third party

    • TLS or IPSEC VPN necessary for replication of Vista data to external location

  • PowerBI Gateway is hosted externally on customer controlled and managed server

  • SQL Change Data Capture (CDC) must be turned on for this option to work

  • SQL Service accounts are needed for this option to work

  • NOTE:  The vendor refers to this method as "Optimized Data Store" (ODS).

• OPTION B - Viewpoint Hosted (LEGACY ONLY) (a.k.a. "Direct Connect"):  

  • This method requires significant additions and changes to the Vista "Viewpoint" database, including the creation of a new schema, database objects, and more.

    • TLS or IPSEC VPN necessary for reading Vista data

  • PowerBI Gateway is hosted internally on a Viewpoint controlled and managed server

    • ADDITIONAL CHARGE:  1 third party integration management fee and 1 standard Windows Server

  • SQL Service accounts are needed for this option to work

  • NOTE:  The vendor refers to this method as "Direct Connect"

NOTE:  Hosting of this solution's components (i.e. "Direct Connect") is no longer supported.

Product Use Case 

Pre-Built data models and pre-built dashboard visualizations to enhance with the speed of utilization for PowerBI.

Architectural Details

As per many other server-side integrations to third-party products, this product is designed to use a data connector (a.k.a. a shim) that speaks to the Vista database directly using ODBC and then itself connects to the third party.  In this case the data connector is Microsoft’s PowerBI Gateway.

Preferred Strategies provides two deployment options for QuickLaunch:  Optimized Data Store (ODS) and Direct Connect.  

• Optimized Data Store replicates the needed Viewpoint tables into an external database.

• Direct Connect relies on views and objects created within the Viewpoint database.   

Optimized Data Store (ODS) - CURRENTLY SUPPORTED

When deploying using the ODS the following resources are needed:

• Change tracking and access:  Enable Change tracking in Vista database and create SQL users.

• TLS Endpoint or IPSEC Tunnel in order to read the Vista data remotely.

Direct Connect - LEGACY ONLY (No Longer Supported for New Installations)

When deploying  using Direct Connect the following resources are needed:

• Significant changes to Viewpoint DB Itself: The ability to create database objects, including sql authorization  users, schemas, views, and tables within the Viewpoint database.  All QuickLaunch objects are created within a specific schema (usually named BIQL).

• PowerBI Data Gateway VM either hosted by Trimble or by Customer.  Please reach out to your sales rep to get a quote if Trimble is to host this VM.

• TLS Endpoint or IPSEC Tunnel in order to read the Vista data when the Gateway VM is hosted by Customer

Please note, due to compliance, cost, and manageability requirements, we no longer support using Direct Connect.

tl;dr:  Customers who need to integrate Preferred Strategies' QuickLaunch with Vista in our cloud need to host the Data Connector in their environment and connect it to Vista over a TLS Database Endpoint (TLS VPN) or IPSEC VPN tunnel, this is known by the vendor as Optimized Data Store (ODS).