Create Interactive Metabase Dashboards that Work with Dynamics GP Data

Metabase is an open source data visualization tool that allows users to create interactive dashboards. When paired with CData Connect Server, users can easily create visualizations and dashboards linked to live Dynamics GP data. This article describes how to create a virtual database for Dynamics GP and build a simple visualization using Dynamics GP data.

CData Connect provides a pure SQL interface for Dynamics GP, allowing you to easily integrate with live Dynamics GP data in Metabase — without replicating the data. Connect looks exactly like a MySQL database to Metabase and uses optimized data processing out of the box to push all supported SQL operations (filters, JOINs, etc) directly to Dynamics GP, leveraging server-side processing to quickly return Dynamics GP data.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for Dynamics GP Data

CData Connect Server uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

1. Log into Connect Server and click Connections.
2. Select "Dynamics GP" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Dynamics GP.

   To authenticate set the User and Password connection properties.

   To connect set the URL to the Web services endpoint; for example, http://{servername}:{port}/Dynamics/GPService. Additionally, set CompanyId; you can obtain this value in the company setup window: Click Tools -> Setup -> Company.

   By default, data summaries are not returned to save performance. Set LookupIds to true to return details such as line items; however, note that entities must be retrieved one at a time.

4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

Connect to CData Connect from Metabase

After creating the virtual database, navigate to your Metabase instance. Use the MySQL interface to connect to CData Connect.

1. Navigate to the administration screen (Settings -> Admin) and click "Add Database" from the "Databases" tab
2. Configure the connection to CData Connect and click "Save"
   • Database type: Select "MySQL"
   • Name: Name the connection (e.g. "Dynamics GP (CData Connect)")
   • Host: The URL of your Connect instance (e.g. https://CONNECT_SERVER_URL)
   • Port: The port of the MySQL endpoint for your Connect instance (e.g. 3306)
   • Database name: The name of the virtual database you just created (e.g. Dynamics GP1)
   • Username: A CData Connect username
   • Password: The password for the above CData Connect user
   • Click to Use a secure connection (SSL)

Query Dynamics GP Data with Metabase

Once you configure the connection to CData Connect, you can query Dynamics GP and build visualizations.

1. Use the "Write SQL" tool to retrieve the Dynamics GP data
2. Write a SQL query based on the virtual database, e.g.
   
   

   SELECT CustomerName, TotalAmount FROM SalesInvoice

3. Navigate to the "Visualization" screen, choose a visualization, and configure the visualization

More Information & Free Trial

At this point, you have built a simple visualization from Dynamics GP data in Metabase. You can continue to work with live Dynamics GP data in Metabase just like you would any MySQL database. For more information on creating a virtual MySQL database for Dynamics GP (and more than 200 other data sources), visit the Connect Server page. Sign up for a free trial and start working with live Dynamics GP data in Metabase today.