How to securely share your Abila 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 Abila 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.
A few things are specific to Abila. Your Abila package must have a valid license file. You need the SQL Server Instance Name, username and password that can reach your Abila data, and the Company Database Name you want to share from. If you have more than one version of Abila installed, you also need to know which version holds that data.
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 Abila, 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 Abila
vClient opens automatically once installed and locates your Abila installation. By default, Abila requires the current Windows user to have read and write access to the SQL Server instance.
Step 7
Enter your connection details
Once vClient has found the available datasets, it asks for the SQL Server Instance Name, User Login, and Password. The SQL Server instance is where the company database is stored.
The instance name is filled in for you from the datasets it found. If it is blank, type it in yourself. If you have more than one SQL Server instance, choose the right one from the dropdown, and check it is the instance holding your company data.
Enter the user login and password for your company data, then select Next.
Step 8
Select your company database
Once authentication succeeds, choose your Company Database from the list of databases held on that SQL Server instance. If your company is not in the list, type the database name in manually. Select Next.
Step 9
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 10
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. There is nothing more for you to do, and you can switch off your computer if you want to.
You can track progress on your dashboard, 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.