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The BillingTracker Multi-User Server is a gateway
between BillingTracker Pro and
your data. When you have more than one person
using BillingTracker Pro, and accessing the same data file, the system needs to
manage that access for two reasons:
1) So there won't be conflicts
between users accessing the
same data at the same time.
There is a longer explanation
of this at
the bottom of this page. 2)
To ensure that each user has the right permission level. You may not want to let
all employees have the same ability to access and change information in your
data file. The
Server has a third
function as well - it
automatically backs up
your data throughout the
day on a regular schedule
that you set (e.g. every
30 minutes, once an
hour...). Purchasing: The BillingTracker Multi-User
Server is only needed when you have more than one user of BillingTracker Pro on
your network. When you purchase
BillingTracker Pro Multi-User, you will get an unlock code for both
BillingTracker Pro and the Server. Purchase the number of seats according to the
number of users in your network. For example, if you have 7 people who will use
BillingTracker Pro, than purchase 7 seats of BillingTracker Pro Multi-User.
Installation: First
install the Server on a
central computer that
everyone in your network
has access to. The Server is found within the same download file as BillingTracker Pro. Simply double click on it and choose to install the Server only, following the step by step instructions. You will
have to let it install
the data file
(billingtrackerpro3.mdb or billingtrackerpro4.mdb, depending on your version)
in its default location,
but you can change this
immediately after set-up
by simply closing the
Server, moving the data
file, and then
re-launching. It will
ask you for the new
location of the data
file. Both the Server
and the data file, by
the way, can be on any
computer in your network
- they can be on the
same computer, different
computers, and even the
same computer as one of
the BillingTracker Pro
users. Next,
install a copy of
BillingTracker Pro
Multi-User on each
user's computer. When
you first launch
BillingTracker Pro, it
will ask you if you want
to run in single-user or
multi-user mode. Choose
multi-user, and then use
the next couple of
screens to tell it where
the Server is and where
the data file is. Download
this PDF file for
more complete
installation
instructions.
Setting
Up The Server:
After
you install the
server software and tell it where the data file is,
you need to add users. For
each user, you simply define the name, a password, and give that user
his/her permission level.
Permission
levels are very straightforward:
* Basic - User can
ENTER his own work on
his own projects only.
Cannot work on other
users' projects.
*
Low - User can ENTER and
CHANGE/EDIT his own work
on his own projects
only. Cannot work on
other users' projects.
* Middle -
User can ENTER,
CHANGE/EDIT, and DELETE
his own work on his own
projects only. Cannot
work on other users'
projects.
* High - User can ENTER, CHANGE/EDIT, and DELETE his own
work on his projects AND
on other users'
projects.
* All - User can ENTER, CHANGE/EDIT, and DELETE his own work AND the work of anyone
else on any project.
Preventing Conflicts And
Crashes:
A
few words about conflicts when
users try to access the same
data at the same time:
BillingTracker Pro uses the
Microsoft Access database
because this is the most
common and standard database
for Windows users. ALL users
of Windows have the ability to
use it. The only problem with
Microsoft Access is that it is
designed for a very small
number of users. On its own,
it can't handle the multiple
requests and updates that can
happen simultaneously when you
have more than a couple of
people using the system.
That is why we designed the
BillingTracker Multi-User
Server: It acts as a traffic
manager for all the data going
into and out of the Access
database so that, literally,
there are no traffic jams and
the system works smoothly. With
the BillingTracker Multi-User
Server, your whole office can
now enjoy BillingTracker Pro,
share data, and rest assured
that your data file is in the
industry standard Access
format.
A
Final Note:
BillingTracker Pro will not work in multi-user mode without the
BillingTracker Multi-User Server.
When you start your computers each morning, simply turn on the
Server
first.
BillingTracker invoicing software
- your billing has never been easier!
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