> Is this the right way or do you see any better solutions?

Well, connecting to the database from an external function
is generally a no-go area.

External functions should be fast. Connecting to a database
network latecy because of your server-side app being on
another machine doesn't fit this description.

Mind you: executing an external function will block the server
thread executing it!

With regards,

Martijn Tonies
Database Workbench - developer tool for InterBase, Firebird, MySQL & MS SQL
Server
Upscene Productions
http://www.upscene.com