Configuring the Data Link
Data Link is accessed via the Tools menu within Control Centre. Select Tools > Data Links > Configure. The Data Link is automatically configured to use the systems that you have installed.
Selecting an accounts production package to link with
If the system detects that you have one of the Sage Account Production packages installed, then it will default to transmitting client data to that package. If no accounts production packages are detected then the system will default to the option of None. Click here to see an example of this window.
It is a minor limitation that you cannot transmit data to both accounts production packages simultaneously. It is assumed that as these two applications fulfill essentially the same purpose, it is unlikely that they will both be installed on the same machine.
If you wish to change the default settings, simply click on an alternative option. Selecting None will mean that no data is ever transmitted for accounts production.
Select a time and fees package to link with
If the system detects that you have one of the supported practice management packages installed, then it will default to transmitting client data to that package. If no Sage Time and Fees or Star Professional are detected then the system will default to the option of None. Click here to see an example of this window.
As with the accounts production option, you cannot transmit data to both practice management packages simultaneously. It is assumed that as these two applications fulfill essentially the same purpose, it is unlikely that they will both be installed on the same machine.
If you wish to change the default settings, simply click on an alternative option. Selecting None will mean that no data is ever transmitted for practice management.
Data Link Paths
Also on these tabs you will see the directories that the Data Link uses to transmit and receive data from these applications. The paths are automatically set by the system and should not normally need amending.
If amendments are required, the Administrator password will be needed.
Click the magnifying glass icon (
) next to the appropriate
path. After entering the Administrator password a browse window will open
allowing you to set new paths and directories for the Data Link to use.
The 
button next to each of these fields will only function
when an application is selected for use with the relevant Data Link. Clicking
this button will give you the option of removing all of the Data Link
files that currently exist in that directory.
For example:
If you have performed an action to transmit clients from Sage Accounts Production Advanced into Control Centre, but have not yet performed the action to receive those clients into Control Centre, then a group of files will exist in the directory:
C:\SageData\UKTax\Master\Import\AP
If you were to select the button at this time, and
delete all the files, then there would be nothing left to receive into
Control Centre from Sage Accounts Production Advanced.
Set Data Link Options
The Data Link Options tab on the configuration form allows you to determine when clients will be transmitted and received.
- When a new client is added:
- Never transmit - the system will never transmit client details when new clients are added to the system.
- Prompt to transmit - you will receive a message when new clients are added to the system asking if you want to transmit the new client details to whichever products you have selected.
- Always transmit - when a new client is created the details will always be transmitted to the products you have selected without informing you.
- When a clients main details are changed:
- Never transmit - the system will never transmit client details when client details are amended.
- Prompt to transmit - you will receive a message when clients details are amended asking if you want to transmit the new client details to whichever products you have selected.
- Always transmit - when a clients details are amended they will always be transmitted to the products you have selected without informing you.
- Always check for data transmitted from other systems on opening datasets - if data has been transmitted from other products and is ready to be received into Control Centre, then you will receive a message informing you of this when Control Centre is opened or you open new dataset.