The year is almost over but we managed to squeeze in one final update before the new year. This latest update packs a lot of enhancements.
The main theme for this update was to streamline and simplify the security features of OdataLink while keeping them front and center.
We also added a few additional endpoints for Xero.
Security enhancements to the Firewall
The most major set of enhancements centered around the ease of managing the firewall.
We tried to address two separate issues that were recurring for most users:
- Managing IP Addresses for Power BI when in the cloud
- Managing IP Addresses for users who work in different location or those with dynamic IPs.
Power BI (cloud) managed IP Address
To solve the first challenge, we added a new IP Address called Power BI (cloud). It allows you to provide access to Power BI using a single tick. It is available for everyone, whether using MYOB or Xero data.
Of course, it does not need to be active and associated with a Model.
That choice is up to you.
If you do choose to assign it to a model, it will allow a wide range of IP Addresses, linked to Microsoft Azure servers and used by Power BI.
Lastly, for the sake of transparency, you can also see the IP Addresses range for each region we currently support and are aware of.
User linked IP Addresses
To solve the second challenge, we added yet another type of IP Address.
All users within OdataLink gets their own user-linked IP Address.
Whenever you log into OdataLink from a new location or with a different IP Address, you will be prompted to update your linked entry.
We hope this will be a great solution for those that work from multiple locations (work and home). With this new feature, you will be able to update the firewall simply by logging in.
As always, this functionality is optional and available for those that want to use it.
Maintaining support for existing configuration
Of course, all these changes do not remove the previous functionality. It is still relevant for those with offices or servers with Fixed IP addresses.
In fact, existing IP Addresses configured within OdataLink now appear as Fixed.
Security enhancements for logins
With regards to Logins, we made one simple adjustment to simplify logging into OdataLink.
OdataLink now detects and identifies your machine. It will then act differently depending if you have Two-Factor Authentication enabled or not.
If you have Two-Factor Authentication enabled, you will have the option to Trust your device for 5 days. This allows you to not require a 6 digit code each time you sign in. Of course, this should only be used on machines that are not shared with anyone else.
If you do not have Two-Factor Authentication enabled, OdataLink now generates an email with a link for you to click on and confirm the login was valid. From there, you will have the option to trust your device. If you do, you will no longer need to wait on an email when logging in from your trusted device.
We made these adjustments to simplify and streamline the login process, but also to strongly recommend users have Two-Factor Authentication enabled.
Additional endpoints for Xero
A common request we received for Xero centered around getting Profit and Loss data by tracking categories. Prior to these new endpoints, the only way possible to get this data was by using the JournalsAccrual and JournalsCash endpoints.
Astute individuals would find that the Xero API provided significantly more functionality than what was available with OdataLink.
Our original rational for not including this additional functionality were three folds.
- First, it was partly due to a lack of time.
- Second, we didn’t want to make it too complex.
- And lastly, we didn’t have the technology to support it.
But we are extremely excited to say this is no longer the case.
As of the latest updates, three new endpoints have been added to complement the existing ProfitAndLoss and ProfitAndLossByMonth endpoints.
ProfitAndLossByTrackingCategory
The ProfitAndLossByTrackingCategory allows you to produce figures for all options within up to two Tracking Categories.
For instance, you can get figures for all your cost centres, all your regions or both at the same time.
You can use whichever tracking categories you have setup within Xero.
ProfitAndLossByTrackingOption
The ProfitAndLossByTrackingOption is the little sibling of the ProfitAndLossByTrackingCategory.
Rather than providing figures for all options within tracking categories, it is fine tuned and optimised to provide a single set of values for a single set of options.
For instance, you can get figures for the New South Wales region, or the IT cost centre, or only the IT cost centre within the New South Wales region .
Similar to the other endpoint, you can use whichever tracking categories you have setup within Xero.
ProfitAndLossAdvanced
Finally, the ProfitAndLossAdvanced endpoint is the grand-parent of them all.
It supports all parameters of the Profit And Loss report available within Xero.
Whether you want an easy way to get Quarterly figures, Yearly Figures, or whatever your mind can conjure up, this endpoint can do it.
However, it does come with it’s own set of risks. Xero doesn’t support all combinations of parameters. We have tried to document these known issues as best we can within our help wiki documentation.
Future plans
Our plan for the rest of December and January period will be small tweaks here and there. We will be keeping the number of updates to a minimum so as not to introduce issues during the x-mas period.
Hopefully, there will be one or two additional endpoints for Xero.
And as the year is coming to an end, we hope all our customers stay safe and well in these crazy time and wish you the best festive season.