Unable to connect to ERP data

Login failed for user 'FastClose'

ERPs commonly store their data in a relational database such as Microsoft SQL Server and secure that data using authentication, based on a user logging in with a password.

With this in mind, FastClose is typically configured to connect to this database using a user specially configured for the purpose, often called something like "FastClose".

From time to time, things can go wrong with this. Password policies may cause the password to expire, perhaps the password is changed or the "FastClose" user is disabled or deleted by a database administrator for some reason.

If any of these things should happen, FastClose will be unable to connect to the ERP database. A user logged into FastClose, might see something like this:

This indicates, that for one or more of the connections available in the connections filter, FastClose is unable to connect to the underlying database platform.

In this scenario, it is necessary to contact your IT department and request them to undertake some checks on the ERP database server.

For Epicor users this would involved them using the "SQL Server Management Studio" tool to investigate.

Within "SQL Server Management Studio" open the security and login nodes as shown below, select the login user (in this case 'FastClose') - right click and select "Properties"

This will display the user properties dialog:

Review the settings within. We do not recommend that password expiration is ticked - if possible leave it unticked. If the password has expired, or no record of it exists, it may be necessary to change it in this screen.

Now click on the "User Mapping" item circled on the left, and check the user's setting for the ERP database.

Here, the "EpicorTrain10" database has been selected, and the FastClose user has been assigned the "db_datareader" role as required by the FastClose application.

If there has been a change to the password, it is now necessary to login into the FastClose administration tool.

The easiest way to do this, is to start FastClose Designer, and click on the URL displayed in the bottom right hand corner of the main window as shown below:

This will display the FastClose Administration interface in a web browser.

Login to the portal using an administrative account, then expand the "Connections" area on the left hand side and click on "ERP Data Sources" as shown below:

Verify the settings for each connection by clicking on the "Edit" button next to it.

• Update the password and any other settings appropriately and then click on "Test Connection". If all is well, click "Save".

Do this for each connection that has been configured.

Finally, re-test the original report to confirm that the issue has been resolved.