When you access data using the UNICOM Intelligence Data Model, there are a number of Connection properties that need to be specified. When you access data using the UNICOM Intelligence products, this is generally invisible, because the products automatically set up all of the connection properties for you. However, when you use the UNICOM Intelligence Data Model to access data outside of the UNICOM Intelligence products, the connection properties need to be defined.

You can build and save connection strings using the Microsoft Data Link Properties dialog box. This dialog box is available when you select the in SQL Server Data Transformation Services (DTS).

You can use the Data Link Properties dialog box to build a connection string and save it in a data link file for reuse. Data link files have a file name extension of .udl.