Windows Desktop App Direct SQL Server sync Developer setup required Pro & Enterprise plans

WasteBolt Bridge Linked — Straight from Your Weighbridge Database

WasteBolt Bridge Linked is a Windows desktop app that connects directly to your weighbridge software's SQL Server database and automatically stages new completed transactions into the WasteBolt Import queue — no CSV exports, no manual re-entry. It feeds the same Import Review page used by WasteBolt Bridge and manual uploads.

Developer / IT setup required — limited support available

Bridge Linked talks directly to your weighbridge software's SQL Server database. Every weighbridge system stores its data differently — different table names, column names, and database structures — so setup requires someone comfortable with SQL Server: your IT contact, developer, or weighbridge vendor.

We'll happily help with the WasteBolt side (signing in, the Import queue, templates, and DWT submission), but because every weighbridge database is different we can't, within reason, write or debug the SQL query for your specific system, or support your SQL Server, ODBC drivers, or network setup.

Bridge Linked vs Standard WasteBolt Bridge

Both apps do the same job — getting weighbridge transactions into WasteBolt automatically — but they get the data in very different ways. Standard WasteBolt Bridge watches a folder for CSV files your weighbridge software exports. Bridge Linked skips the CSV step entirely and reads new transactions straight out of the weighbridge software's own SQL Server database.

Bridge (CSV) Bridge Linked (SQL)
Data sourceCSV files exported by your weighbridge software into a watched folderDirect connection to the weighbridge SQL Server database
SetupNo-code — point at a folder and map columns with dropdownsA developer or IT contact writes a SQL query for your database
Needs exports?Yes — weighbridge software must be able to export CSVsNo — works even if your software has no export feature
TimingProcesses new files as they appear in the folderPolls the database on a timer you choose (e.g. every 10 minutes)
DestinationWasteBolt Import queue → Import ReviewSame — the exact same Import queue and Import Review page
Best forSites whose software already exports CSVs, no IT help neededSites with IT/dev support that want a deeper, export-free integration

How It Works

You (or your developer) give Bridge Linked a read-only SELECT query. On a timer, it runs that query against your weighbridge database, fetches any transactions newer than the last one it synced, and stages them in your WasteBolt Import queue. Duplicate ticket IDs are detected and skipped automatically, so re-running a sync never creates the same record twice.

How WasteBolt Bridge Linked works

Weighbridge SQL database
Your weighbridge software writes completed transactions to its own SQL Server database
Your SELECT query
Bridge Linked runs your query on a timer, fetching only rows newer than the last synced ID
WasteBolt Bridge Linked
Maps the returned columns to WasteBolt fields and stages each row — duplicates are skipped
Import queue
Records appear on the Import Review page for template-matching, review, and DWT submission

Bridge Linked only ever reads from your weighbridge database — it runs your SELECT query and nothing else. It never writes to, changes, or deletes anything in your weighbridge system.

What a Typical Setup Looks Like

Most installations run Bridge Linked on the same yard-office PC as the weighbridge software, connecting to a local SQL Server Express instance. Larger sites may run it on any machine on the network that can reach the database server.

A typical site setup

Example only — every weighbridge system and SQL database is different. Yours will not look exactly like this.

Weighbridge office PC

Weighbridge software

Creates tickets & records weights as normal

SQL Server Express

e.g. WEIGHBRIDGE-PC\SQLEXPRESS

WasteBolt Bridge Linked

Polls the database on a timer (e.g. every 600 seconds)

HTTPS
WasteBolt (cloud)

Import queue

New transactions arrive staged & validated

Import Review + Templates

Resolve producer/carrier/consignee roles & EWC codes

Waste Movements / DWT

Approved records become waste movements, ready for DWT

The SQL Query — What Your Developer Needs to Know

Bridge Linked works with any SQL Server database because you supply the SELECT query. The query just has to follow two rules:

1Include a ? placeholder

Used as WHERE some_id > ?. Bridge Linked fills it with the last synced ID each poll, so only new transactions are fetched.

2Alias columns to standard names

Use AS to rename your database's columns to the aliases below. Missing optional columns are simply left blank.

Column aliasWhat it's used for
ID★
Unique, increasing integer row ID — used for last-synced tracking & duplicate prevention
CompanyName★
Waste producer / account name (rows without it are staged as invalid)
NetKg★
Net weight in kg (rows with zero net are staged as invalid)
VehicleReg
Vehicle registration
ProductName
Waste / product description
ProductCode
EWC code
HaulierName
Carrier / haulier name
ConsigneeName
Consignee / receiver name
TareKg
Tare weight in kg
GrossKg
Gross weight in kg
GrossDate
Weighing date/time — used as date in
TareDate
Tare date/time — used as date out
Comments
Any additional notes

★ ID is essential for sync tracking. Rows missing CompanyName or with zero NetKg still arrive in the Import queue, but are flagged invalid so you can fix them during review.

A real working example

This query is from one real installation and is shown only to illustrate the shape of a working query. Your weighbridge database will use different table and column names — copying this verbatim will not work.

SELECT
    t.ID            AS ID,
    t.Vehicle       AS VehicleReg,
    a.[Company Name] AS CompanyName,
    p.Product       AS ProductName,
    t.EWC           AS ProductCode,
    t.[Net Weight]  AS NetKg,
    t.[Weight 1]    AS TareKg,
    t.[Weight 2]    AS GrossKg,
    t.[Date 2]      AS GrossDate,
    t.[Date 1]      AS TareDate
FROM tblTransactions t
LEFT JOIN tblAccounts a ON a.ID = t.[Account ID]
LEFT JOIN tblProducts p ON p.ID = t.[Product ID]
WHERE t.ID > ?
  AND t.Complete = 1
  AND t.Cancelled = 0
ORDER BY t.ID ASC

Setting Up Bridge Linked

With a developer on hand and the SQL query written, setup typically takes 15–30 minutes. You'll need your WasteBolt login and the database connection details.

1

Get the app from the WasteBolt team

Bridge Linked isn't a public download — it's supplied directly by us so we can walk through the requirements with you first. Contact us and we'll send the installer.

2

Sign in with your WasteBolt account

Bridge Linked is available on Pro and Enterprise plans. Sign in with the same email and password as the WasteBolt website, and tick "Remember me on this device" for a dedicated yard PC — Bridge Linked will then sign in automatically on startup.

3

Enter the SQL connection details

In Settings → Data Source, enter the SQL Server instance (e.g. WEIGHBRIDGE-PC\SQLEXPRESS), database name, and either a SQL login or Windows Authentication. We recommend a dedicated read-only SQL login. Click Test Connection to confirm.

4

Paste in your SQL query

Add the SELECT query your developer has written (with the ? placeholder and column aliases). This is the step that needs SQL knowledge — see the section above.

5

Set the poll interval and starting point

Choose how often to check for new transactions (e.g. every 600 seconds). Click "Start from now" to skip historical records and only sync transactions created from this point on — or set a specific last-synced ID.

6

Start syncing

Switch on Auto-poll on the Sync page (or use Sync Now for a one-off run). New transactions appear in your WasteBolt Import queue, ready for template-matching and review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Interested in Bridge Linked?

Bridge Linked is available on Pro and Enterprise plans, and is supplied directly by the WasteBolt team rather than as a public download — so we can make sure it's the right fit for your site first.

Have your IT or developer contact ready — we'll talk through the requirements and send you the installer.