Knowledgebase: Tutorials
[QODBC-Desktop] How to run QODBC applications on a repeating/nightly basis
Posted by Jack - QODBC Support on 19 October 2015 12:35 PM

How to use QODBC with Windows scheduler /  How to use Z-Cron with QODBC / How to run QODBC applications on a repeating/nightly basis

Problem Description 1:

My application needs to read data from QuickBooks and update data in the SQL server. Up to this, I can handle everything. But I need a solution for the task scheduler. My need is my application needs to run every hour through the task scheduler. I'm trying this, but it is giving the error message:

"Could not start QuickBooks." 

Problem Description 2:

I have a batch file that runs a query using the QODBC driver. It ran perfectly when I logged in, but when I ran it as the scheduled task, I got this error:

Unable to connect to QuickBooks Connection String: DSN=BPCQB_PROD_batch; DFQ=; OpenMode=F; SERVER=QODBC, OLE Automation Error. The source is Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers." [QODBC] Server Edition of QODBC is required to use the DCOM Servers."

SQLConnect [QODBC] QB Begin Session Failed. Error = 8004041c, An internal QuickBooks error occurred while accessing the QuickBooks company data file.
 

Solution : 

Windows Scheduler has changed from Desktop base to Service based from Vista or Win7 onwards, and the new OS has the Scheduler as Service based. 

QuickBooks and QODBC are desktop-based applications/drivers.

QODBC uses QuickBooks SDK, and QuickBooks SDK uses QuickBooks Application to get data from company files.

QuickBooks SDK requires an active desktop session (someone is logged in) to the machine because QuickBooks is a desktop-based application. If no one logs on to the server/machine, you will get the error "Could not start QuickBooks."

Even if you have specified the username/password and have a user logged into the machine, you may notice the same error. This is because the task executed from Task Scheduler runs as a different user / new session.

The workaround is to use a Desktop Based Scheduler like Z-Cron or http://alternativeto.net/software/task-scheduler/?platform=windows

How to use Z-Cron with QODBC

You can download Z-Cron from below mentioned link:

Download Z-Cron

After downloading Z-Cron, please install it on your machine.

After Installation, please start Z-Cron and add a task by Clicking the "Task" button.

Enter Task Title in the Label box & enable the "Activate Task" option to activate the scheduled task and choose Program by clicking the ".." button.

Select the file which you want to schedule & click "OPEN." In this example, I am selecting the VBS script.

Now navigate to the "Scheduler" tab to schedule export. In this example, I am scheduling export to every day two times (i.e., 8:00 AM & 5:00 PM).

Click on the "Every day" button to select all weekdays & click on "Scheduler" to configure schedule timing.

Select a time & click on "Save."

Now save the scheduled job by clicking the "Save" button

The scheduled appointment is saved.

The scheduled task is ready for execution. It will be run on schedule time.

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Comments (6)
Ankita
26 January 2017 07:38 PM
I am using QODBC to read Quick books data in my console app. Everything works fine when I am running my code from Visual studio but when I try to run the .exe file of my application, I get this error:
'ERROR [00000] [QODBC] QB Begin Session Failed. Error = 8004041d, This applicatio
n is not allowed to log into this QuickBooks company data file automatically. Th
e QuickBooks administrator can grant permission for an automatic login through t
he Integrated Application preferences.
For more details please visit : qodbc.com/links/2147.htm
' I know every application needs to accept the certificate from quick book for accessing data and when I run the code from Visual studio the executable is different, which is registered with quick books for accessing data. How do I register my application executable file which I can run stand alone with out Visual Studio and can access quick book data? I have to schedule this application to run every day.
Jack
27 January 2017 07:36 AM
Hi Ankita,

I kindly request you to please keep QuickBooks running, logged in as Admin to your company file, try to connect using your application (i.e. executable file), it should pop-up Data Access Certificate on QuickBooks, Please accept the Certificate then try again.

If you are still facing issue, I kindly request you to please raise a support ticket to the QODBC Technical Support department from below mentioned link & provide requested information:

http://support.flexquarters.com/esupport/index.php?/Tickets/Submit

We may need the following information, I kindly request you to attach below listed files when replying to the ticket.
1) Screenshot of QODBC Setup Screen -- > About
2) Screenshot of the issue you’re facing.
Share Entire Log Files as an attachment in text format from
3) QODBC Setup Screen -- > Messages -- > Review QODBC Messages
4) QODBC Setup Screen -- > Messages -- > Review SDK Messages

Ankita
03 February 2017 02:28 PM
Thank you Jack. It worked.
Ankita
03 February 2017 09:58 PM
Hello Jack,

From the solutions given to problems regarding 'Scheduled task using QODBC driver', I know Windows Task Scheduler cannot be used to schedule applications using QODBC drivers to read quick book data. But the workaround suggested by using desktop based scheduler like KA FireTask, etc, can I schedule a application (using QODBC drivers to read data) to run under a default account even when user is not logged in?
Jack
06 February 2017 11:34 AM
Hi Ankita,

I would like to inform you that QuickBooks required Active Desktop Session for running. You need to log in to server & run QuickBooks for work with QODBC. If no one logged on server, you will get error "Could not start QuickBooks", So the server need Active Desktop Session & QuickBooks in running mode for proper functionality.

So you need to Keep QuickBooks running (No need to log in to the company file, just keep QuickBooks window open) and try to connect.

If you are still facing issue, I kindly request you to please raise a support ticket to the QODBC Technical Support department from below mentioned link & provide requested information:

http://support.flexquarters.com/esupport/index.php?/Tickets/Submit

We may need the following information, I kindly request you to attach below listed files when replying to the ticket.
1) Screenshot of QODBC Setup Screen -- > About
2) Screenshot of the issue you’re facing.
Share Entire Log Files as an attachment in text format from
3) QODBC Setup Screen -- > Messages -- > Review QODBC Messages
4) QODBC Setup Screen -- > Messages -- > Review SDK Messages

Jack
14 September 2017 11:44 AM
The desktop-based scheduler KA Firetask is not available now. So you can use Z-Cron scheduler (http://www.z-cron.com/download.html) for scheduling job.
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