--- title: Establish a connection with Optigem description: "Depending on the configuration, the connection with Optigem can be read-write in both directions. Only the data you select will be synchronized. It's important for you to know that categories in Optigem can be anything—for example, groups, person status, etc.…" url: "https://churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/configure-connections/establish-a-connection-with-optigem/" updated: "2026-10-27" category: Sync / Configure Connections --- # Establish a connection with Optigem Depending on the configuration, the connection with Optigem can be read-write in both directions. Only the data you select will be synchronized. It's important for you to know that categories in Optigem can be anything—for example, groups, person status, etc. ## 1. Install the ChurchTools Optigem configurator First, download the Windows application " [ChurchTools-Optigem Configurator](https://seafile.church.tools/d/75478256b5954de49459/) " on the computer that has access to your Optigem data, and run the setup. **Note** You should have the latest version of the configurator installed. Normally, once installed, the configurator updates itself automatically. If not, you may need to update it manually. The path to the configuration file and the log will remain the same as long as you save the current version to the same directory. ## 2. Select the Optigem database and log in In the next step, select the database where your Optigem data is stored. This is either an*Access* or an *MS-SQL database* (1). If not already selected, enter the *path to the Optigem data directory* (2) and *your Optigem login credentials* (3), then click *“Log In*.” [![Screenshot Log in Optigem](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Windows-Server_ChurchTools-Optigem-Konfigurator_Login-1.png)](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Windows-Server_ChurchTools-Optigem-Konfigurator_Login-1.png) **Tip** If you're not sure which database to choose, you can find the current database type as follows: On your Windows computer, open the *Start menu*. Under *Optigem* > *Optigem Service Tool*, the *Installation/Update* section will show you the database type currently used by your Optigem. If you're unable to log in, you can close the *ChurchTools Optigem Configurator* and reopen it. Alternatively, you can open *Task Manager* using *Windows Search*, go to *the "Roles" tab*, and *right-click* the *Optigem service* *to restart it*. ## 3. Add a permission Once you're logged in to the ChurchTools Optigem Configurator in Optigem, click "*Add Authorization*" (Freigabe hinzufügen). Select one, several, or all *clients* and *all data classes*. [![Screenshot add permission](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Windows-Server_ChurchTools-Optigem-Konfigurator_Freigabe-erstellen-1.png)](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Windows-Server_ChurchTools-Optigem-Konfigurator_Freigabe-erstellen-1.png) ## 4. Copy the security key Once you've selected your Microsoft Access or MS-SQL database and created a share, you'll be shown a tenant and a security key. You use the tenant and the associated security key to establish the connection in Sync. *To do this, select the appropriate client from the list* (1) and *copy the corresponding security key (Sicherheitsschlüssel) to the clipboard* (2). [![Screenshot copy security key](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Windows-Server_ChurchTools-Optigem-Konfigurator_Sicherheitsschluessel-kopieren.png)](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Windows-Server_ChurchTools-Optigem-Konfigurator_Sicherheitsschluessel-kopieren.png) ## 5. Connect Optigem to my ChurchTools Now go to the Sync module in your ChurchTools and, under " *Connections*," click the green *"+ Connect system*" button. Here, enter a *name* for the connection to Optigem (1), the *security key* (2) that you copied earlier in the ChurchTools-Optigem Configurator, and the *Optigem tenant ID* (3). (Typically, the clients are named “01,” “02,” etc.) Finally, *test the connection by clicking the blue "Test connection*" (Verbindung testen) button (4). If the test is successful, the blue button will turn green, and you can " *Save* " the connection (4). [![Screenshot connect optigem](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sync_System-verbinden_Optigem.png)](https://churchtools.academy/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sync_System-verbinden_Optigem.png) ## 6. Configure the connection If the connection is working properly, define property pairs for the connection and add the first jobs. The assigned pairs apply to **all jobs** in a connection. For **each job**, select which property pairs should be synchronized. You can find out how to assign properties to each other [here](https://churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/configure-connections/how-to-link-property-pairs/). You can find out how to add tasks [here](https://churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/configure-jobs/how-to-add-an-order-to-a-connection/). ## Read more - [How to import my chart of accounts from Optigem?](https://churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/import-from-optigem/how-to-import-my-chart-of-accounts-from-optigem/) - [How to import projects from Optigem as cost centers into ChurchTools?](https://churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/import-from-optigem/how-to-import-my-chart-of-accounts-from-optigem/) - [How to synchronize transaction data?](https://churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/sync-finances/how-to-synchronize-accounting-data/)