Small Business - Central Database Setup

About the Central Database

The Small Business Central Database is a file based network database. It is designed for small groups of appraisers who are sharing sales data in a single office. It has limited security and management features compared to the Enterprise database. However, it is very simple to setup and maintain. No special server software needs to be installed. Any office that has a network file server can be up and running in minutes.

Choosing the Database Location

The database must be located on a network file share where all users have access. This does not need to be a server. However, it will work best if the computer is dedicated as a file server and is not used for day to day applications. At a minimum the computer that is hosting the central database must always be available on the network. It is not advisable to host the central database on a notebook computer. However, notebooks can be used to access sales in the central database.

The file shares are accessed by using the name of the server, for example "\\server name\share name". The UAAR Central Database can be located in any folder on the network. Since the files that will be created are only meant to be read by the central database, AgWare recommends that you place these files on a share made specifically for the UAAR Database.

Creating the Database

Once the location for the database has been decided one user must create the Central Database. Run the DataLog and click on the plus sign next to the "Server Setup" menu group on the left side of the screen. Then click on the "Central Database Tools" button.

In the Initial Setup section enter the Database Path where you want the database created. Then Click the "Create Database" button. That is all there is to it. This step only needs to be done once. Other users sharing this database will not need to create the database.

Setting Up Additional Users

Once the database has been created, additional users can simply enter the path to the central database in their configuration. On the DataLog main menu choose "Edit->Configuration" then on the "System Configuration" tab enter the "Database Path" at the bottom of the form. After closing and re-opening the DataLog the user should be able to access the central database.