How to securely share your Sage 50 Canada (Simply) data with Validis
To share your data, log in to the Validis portal and start a new share from your engagement. You'll then be prompted to download and install vClient, the application that connects to Sage 50 Canada (Simply) and shares your data securely. The steps below walk through the whole process, starting from your engagement.
Before you start
Check these things before you begin. Sorting them out now avoids getting interrupted partway through the upload.
- Make sure you're online. Your data is sent while the process runs, so a stable internet connection is needed throughout.
- Have your accounting package open and accessible, with the data you want to share ready. vClient connects directly to it to read your accounts.
- Have an account that can read the company data, and know the sign in details. You'll enter these directly into vClient later in this process, not into the Validis portal.
- If you have more than one installation or company, know which one holds the data you're sharing. You'll pick it during setup.
Two things are specific to Sage 50 Canada (Simply). You need to know where your SAJ directory is, which is the folder on your computer holding the company data you want to share. There may be several SAJ folders, so be sure which one is the right one.
Your user ID also needs, as a minimum, third-party product read-only access privileges within Sage 50 Canada (Simply).
Please note
Checking or changing that permission needs administrator rights in Sage 50 Canada (Simply), along with the sysadmin password. If you do not have them, ask whoever administers your accounting package, or your IT team. How to check your permissions in Sage 50 Canada (Simply) takes you through it.
Step 1
Get started with your engagement
Log in to the Validis portal, select the relevant Engagement, then select Share Data Now.
Step 2
Choose your accounting package
Search for or select your accounting package from the list. If not already selected, choose Sage 50 Canada (Simply), then select Next. The panel on the right confirms your choice and shows what happens next.
Step 3
Download the application
Select Download to download vClient, the trusted application Validis uses to securely connect to your accounting package.
Step 4
Open the downloaded file
Your browser downloads vClient.application. Open it from your downloads folder, or from your browser's download history, to start the installation. If you need help finding it, follow the guide for your browser: Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.
Step 5
Confirm the download
Depending on your browser and computer setup, you may see a security warning. Select Keep to continue.
Step 6
Install vClient
Once the file has finished downloading, open it to begin the installation. Select Install to continue. The URL shown may differ from yours depending on your region. vClient is a small application and is removed from your computer automatically once the sharing process is complete.
Connecting with Sage 50 Canada (Simply)
vClient opens automatically once installed, and asks you to locate the Sage 50 Canada (Simply) data you want to share.
Step 7
Find your SAJ directory
You first need to specify the SAJ Directory, the location where the company data is held on your workstation. Select Browse.
Step 8
Select the SAJ folder
A Windows file browser window opens. Navigate to the SAJ folder you need, highlight it, and select Select Folder. There may be several SAJ folders on your workstation, so make sure you choose the right one.
Step 9
Log in
Enter the User Name and Password for the SAJ folder you chose, then select Next. These are the same details you use to log in to Sage 50 Canada (Simply), unless your IT team has given you a different set. The default user name set by Sage is normally "sysadmin" with a blank password.
Step 10
Connecting
vClient now connects to the data held in the SAJ directory using the details you supplied. If any of them are incorrect, an error is shown, and you can enter them again.
Step 11
Data extraction
vClient begins extracting your data, with a progress display. This can take a few minutes depending on the size of your database and how many entries it holds. Once everything has been read, the data is compressed, encrypted and sent securely to Validis. You can carry on with other work while it runs, but do not close the vClient window or interrupt the extraction process.
Step 12
Complete
Once the share finishes, a success message is displayed. Select Close to exit vClient. There is nothing more to do. Your Engagement Manager or Client Manager will be notified by email that you've submitted a new share.
After you've shared your data
Your data now queues for processing in the Validis central system. You can track its progress in the Validis portal, where the status moves from Loading to Processing to Completed. You may need to refresh your browser to see updates.
Troubleshooting
If vClient won't install, or can't see your company data, these will help you work out why:
- List of Accounting Package's Validis Connect Permissions, if vClient can't see your company data.
- Validis Connect Requirements, to check your computer and accounting package are set up correctly.
- Validis Connect Technical Specifications, to send to your IT team if your computer is centrally managed.
A firewall or antivirus blocking vClient is a common cause, and usually needs your IT team to resolve.