Tag: refresh

Salesforce ODBC Connectivity: Best Drivers for Reliable Data Access

Companies use Salesforce ODBC drivers to connect Salesforce data directly to BI, reporting, ETL, and analytics tools. ODBC eliminates the need to write custom API integrations and allows Salesforce objects to be queried using SQL from standard data platforms.

In practice, ODBC drivers enable teams to:

  • Connect Salesforce to Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, Excel, and ETL platforms 
  • Run SQL-based reporting on Salesforce objects 
  • Automate scheduled data exports and incremental refreshes 
  • Join Salesforce data with on-premise or cloud databases 
  • Centralize analytics without building custom middleware 

For analytics teams, ODBC drivers convert Salesforce’s API-based model into a relational-style interface that standard BI tools understand. For IT teams, they provide a managed, repeatable connectivity layer with defined authentication and configuration options. For data engineers, they reduce integration complexity while preserving control over refresh behavior, security, and performance parameters.

Reliable connectivity matters because Salesforce is often a core CRM system feeding dashboards, executive reports, finance models, and operational pipelines. A driver is not just a connector—it becomes part of the data infrastructure stack.

Salesforce ODBC Drivers Compared

Below are four established commercial drivers frequently used in BI and enterprise data environments.

1. Devart ODBC Driver for Salesforce

Positioning: Balanced SQL coverage + cross-platform + bulk-oriented workloads

Devart focuses on delivering extended SQL support over Salesforce objects while maintaining OAuth-based secure connectivity. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it suitable for mixed desktop and server environments.

Key characteristics:

  • OAuth authentication over HTTPS 
  • Extended SQL support (joins, grouping, filtering) 
  • Cross-platform (Windows/macOS/Linux) 
  • Batch updates for handling larger data modifications 
  • Broad compatibility with BI and ETL tools 

Devart is typically positioned for teams that need strong SQL ergonomics and flexible deployment across different operating systems while maintaining performance during larger refresh jobs.

  1. Progress DataDirect ODBC Driver for Salesforce

Positioning: Enterprise-scale performance and bulk operations

Progress DataDirect emphasizes high-performance connectivity and large-volume data processing. It is often selected in environments where Salesforce data refreshes are heavy and SLA-driven.

Key characteristics:

  • Focus on performance optimization 
  • Transparent bulk operations 
  • Enterprise multi-platform support 
  • Designed for high-volume data movement 
  • Common in centralized IT deployments 

This driver is typically associated with organizations running large, scheduled refreshes and centralized BI environments where performance under concurrency is critical.

 

  1. Easysoft ODBC-Salesforce Driver

Positioning: SQL and SOQL flexibility + Windows-heavy deployments

Easysoft provides both SQL-oriented and SOQL-oriented driver options, which is a structural difference compared to most competitors.

Key characteristics:

  • Separate SQL and SOQL driver modes 
  • OAuth support (Windows) 
  • Strong compatibility with Office-based reporting tools 
  • Integration scenarios involving local databases 

Easysoft can be relevant where teams require SOQL-like behavior or primarily operate in Windows reporting environments.

  1. Simba Salesforce ODBC Driver (insightsoftware / Magnitude)

Positioning: Standardized ODBC connectivity across data ecosystems

Simba drivers are widely embedded or referenced in many analytics platforms. The Salesforce driver is known for conventional ODBC configuration patterns and documented OAuth connection string support.

Key characteristics:

  • OAuth 2.0 connection string configuration 
  • TLS-secured communication 
  • Commonly referenced in BI tool documentation 
  • Structured DSN and DSN-less deployment options 

Simba is frequently selected where standardized ODBC configuration and documentation alignment with analytics platforms are priorities.

 

Structural Differences Between the Drivers

Instead of feature checklists, the real differences appear in architecture and operational focus.

Driver Core Strength Architectural Focus Deployment Style Volume Handling
Devart Extended SQL + cross-platform flexibility SQL translation depth Desktop + server mixed Batch updates, balanced performance
DataDirect Enterprise performance Bulk optimization engine Centralized enterprise IT Strong at large-scale extracts
Easysoft SQL vs SOQL dual model Query-mode flexibility Windows-heavy Moderate workloads
Simba Standardized ODBC implementation Conventional ODBC architecture BI ecosystem alignment Standard analytics loads

 

Summary: Differences That Matter

All four drivers provide commercial, production-ready Salesforce connectivity via ODBC. The differences lie in architectural emphasis rather than basic capability.

  • Devart emphasizes SQL flexibility, cross-platform availability, and balanced bulk handling. 
  • Progress DataDirect emphasizes enterprise-grade performance and large-scale bulk optimization. 
  • Easysoft differentiates with dual SQL/SOQL driver models and Windows-focused reporting compatibility. 
  • Simba emphasizes standardized ODBC configuration widely documented across analytics platforms. 

Salesforce ODBC connectivity is not a commodity layer when analytics pipelines, scheduled refreshes, and reporting environments depend on it daily. The practical differences between drivers emerge in performance under load, SQL behavior, authentication management, and deployment environments.

Each of these tools serves a distinct operational profile. The right choice depends on infrastructure structure, query patterns, security policies, and expected data volume—not on marketing claims.

 

Honor GT 2 Faces Fierce Competition from OnePlus 15R

Honor has been one of the biggest smartphone manufacturers of 2025, especially when you look at their range’s screen quality and battery capacity. With that said, the OnePlus 15R is set to rival their latest release, the Honor GT 2, in every single way. Reports saying that the OnePlus 15R will be the first smartphone to have an 8300mAh glacier battery at launch, something that’s gone down very well with users.

A Bigger Focus on Performance and Power

The OnePlus 15R puts a big focus on performance and power. Representatives have said that the device is going to run efficiently all day long, without draining the battery too much, due to the design of the phone. 

One charge is enough to run the handset for a full day, with the power-saving mode and 100W SuperFast Charging feature that makes it easy to use your phone for anything you need, without worrying about it running out of battery. 

When you look at the Honor smartphone, which comes with an 8300mAh battery, it’s coupled with an 80w wired and wireless charging feature. OnePlus 15 has taken this and levelled it up, showing how they are set on dominating the smartphone sector. The 15R model of the OnePlus 15 is also going to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which is great news for gamers.

Quality Displays and High Refresh Rates 

The OnePlus 15R also has a dynamic screen, with a 120FPS refresh rate. The phone also has an “always on” gameplay screen, which means the power-saving settings won’t activate when you’re in the middle of something. With a 165Hz refresh rate, playing more complex titles with advanced animations is a breeze. With games becoming more complex over time, bigger screens are becoming the norm, and help to make experiences more fluid. 

Games like chess or even solitaire really benefit from bigger screens, but at the same time, more graphics-intensive titles stand to benefit as well. This includes titles that tend to incorporate more advanced animations, like iGaming slots and Slingo online titles. These often use vibrant graphics and cascading animations, but use the format of a bingo card to create more hybrid experiences. So, even simpler titles like this not only benefit from phones with bigger screens, but also from phones that have more battery power.

It’s not just gamers that benefit from bigger phone screens, either. People who like to stream content from sites like Netflix will find that the quality of their footage isn’t just improved, but that they can also watch for longer without having to turn the phone brightness down or limit streaming quality. 

With the OnePlus 15R taking steps to accommodate the needs of modern-day entertainment, it’s safe to say that it’s proving to be fierce competition for the Honor GT 2. Even though the Honor GT 2 also has a 165Hz refresh rate, the faster charging rate of the OnePlus 15R really helps to complement the high power output the phone has to offer, so your phone not only lasts for longer, but it’s also faster to charge. With that said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Honor GT 2 release a faster-charging phone in the future, to stay competitive and relevent in the ever-changing mobile world.

eir unveils first major brand refresh in nearly a decade with new ‘eir for all’ identity

eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications company, has unveiled ‘eir for all’ a new modern, inclusive and accessible brand identity.

The company has invested €2 million in this new ‘eir for all’ identity representing a major transformation for the business, following its €1.2 billion five-year investment in Ireland’s telecommunications infrastructure and the transformation of eir’s customer experience. This is eir’s first new identity since its rebrand from Eircom in 2015.

Bridging eir’s heritage with its pivotal role in contemporary Irish society, ‘eir for all’ underscores the company’s enduring commitment to enhancing connections across Ireland. Highlighting eir’s integral presence in communities and its mission to facilitate stronger, more meaningful connections for a better Ireland. Through ‘eir for all’ the company showcases its efforts in fostering inclusivity and accessibility, reinforcing its vision of a connected community where everyone can thrive.

The new brand identity was unveiled to more than 3,000 eir staff at events in eir’s Dublin HQ today, in four care hubs across Sligo, Cork, Limerick and Waterford, and with staff in retail stores and in the field. It will be phased in through the company’s operations starting from today and will also feature via TV and online advertising, out of home advertising, stores, websites, and digital platforms.

‘eir for all’, will also feature prominently in eir’s national sponsorships and community partnerships, including as one of the title sponsors of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, GamerFest, and as long term supporters of Special Olympics Ireland.

The launch of ‘eir for all’ coincides with unique data showing how eir is delivering more meaningful connections across Ireland

  • In the past 12 months fixed broadband increased by 24.9%. This increase is equal to 127 billion hours gaming, 7.5 billion hours video chat, 1.3 billion hours film streaming or 390 billion songs streamed
  • Over the past 12 months, on average, each household used 8.1 hours of HD video per day and Sunday was the highest data usage day of the week.
  • Over the past 12 months 5G Data Traffic has increased some 110% and Data Traffic is up
  • Last month, St. Brigid’s Festival of Light in Dundalk saw a 3TB surge in local data traffic in Dundalk town centre celebrating the St. Brigid’s festivities Sunday was the highest data usage day of the week

The new ‘eir for all’ brand identity profiles individual people, families and communities across Ireland demonstrating how eir’s technology helps people connect for a better Ireland. They include a TikTok performer, a young hurler, a Special Olympics athlete, a family of gamers and a group of surfers among others.  Please click here for more detail: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=eir+for+all

The new ‘eir for all’ brand identity follows a year of significant achievements across all eir’s operations. eir has passed more than 1.2 million homes and businesses across Ireland with future-proofed fibre to the home broadband network. This makes it possible for more than 3 million people throughout Ireland to access the latest technology and fastest download speeds to enhance how they live and work. As part of its new brand identity, eir has also invested €4 million refurbishing 21 stores on high streets and in retail parks.

Addressing eir colleagues, Susan Brady, Managing Director, Consumer and Small Business, eir, said;“We are delighted to introduce ‘eir for all’ our new consumer-focused brand proposition that marks a significant milestone in our journey as Ireland’s leading telecommunications company. This initiative underscores our dedication to redefining connectivity across the nation, ensuring every individual has access to seamless, world-class technology and connectivity solutions. Our commitment extends beyond infrastructure to creating an inclusive, effortless experience for our over two million customers daily. ‘eir for all’ embodies our vision of a modern connected Ireland, reinforcing our pledge to enhance Ireland’s digital landscape and make superior connectivity accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstances. As we continue to expand Ireland’s largest high-speed fibre and leading 5G networks, we remain grateful for the unwavering support of our employees, partners, and customers who share in our mission for a better-connected Ireland.”

 

Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir commented on today’s announcement: “Over the past five years, eir has embarked on a transformative journey, investing over €1.2 billion in expanding and enhancing Ireland’s fibre and mobile network infrastructure. This significant investment underscores our commitment to providing the most reliable and extensive connectivity across the nation. Moreover, we’ve made a deliberate move to onshore and establish a new care function, ensuring our customers receive the highest quality of service. Today, hundreds of our directly employed staff in our Care Hubs in Sligo, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford are dedicated to caring for our customers. This strategic shift towards improving our infrastructure and customer care underlines our dedication to not just meeting, but exceeding, the evolving needs and expectations of our customers. It’s in this spirit of transformation and commitment to excellence that we chose to reposition and revitalise the eir brand, making a clear statement that we are here for all, committed to delivering unparalleled connectivity and service to every corner of Ireland.”