A lot of users new to ACT!, especially those who don’t get the benefit of a consultant, seem confused between when to share on a network and when to sync… or, in fact, how to do either. So I thought I would attempt to explain the various options and include instructions on how to implement them.
The first misconception some people have is that these functions can only be done with the “Premium” or “Workgroups” editions (depending on the version or country). This is wrong. The Premium version does have some additional options, but even the standard ACT! by Sage product can do both.
As always, I recommend that users speak to a Certified Consultant before commencing your implementation, especially with database design and setting up synchronisation and learning how to get the most out of ACT!
Setting up the database server:
The usual place people need to start is with setting up ACT! on a “server” – that is, the machine that will host the ACT! database. In a small environment (< 5 users), this may be a user’s machine.
Note: ACT! is a client/server product. That means the full application MUST be installed on system hosting the database locally.
Usually, one of the questions a user will as is “What sort of server does ACT! need?” Well, that depends on a number of factors that you should provide to your consultant to determine this:
- How many ACT! users will there be?
- How many on the LAN
- How many via Web (if any)
- How many remote (if any)
- Will you have a server?
- If yes, will the server be dedicated to ACT! or shared with other services?
- If shared with other services, what services and how busy are they?
Once you have selected the machine to host the database, you need to install ACT!. I recommend doing it this way:
- Perform a Selective restart with MSCONFIG as per ACT! KB 14499
- Install ACT! from the CD
- ACT! by Sage 2009 as per ACT! KB 22947
- ACT! by Sage Premium (EX Edition) as per ACT! KB 22948
- ACT! by Sage Premium (ST Edition) as per ACT! KB 22949
- ACT! by Sage Premium for Web (EX Edition) as per ACT! KB 23084
- ACT! by Sage Premium for Web (ST Edition) as per ACT! KB 23088
- Update ACT! the latest patch for your version. You can download any patches from here
- Restore from Selective Start-up Mode with MSCONFIG
- Reboot
- Open ACT! - Create, upgrade or Restore_As your database
- Share the database as per ACT! KB 13878
The most common error you might get is: "The database <Database name> could not be accessed. In order to access this database, check your network connection and verify that your database server is available. It may be necessary to disable any firewall software.” – To fix it, please follow the suggestions in that link.
If you need to set up sync to share your data with remote users (external offices, laptops, smart phones), please see Part 2
5 comments:
Thanks for the info Mike!
I have Act! 10.0.2 and desire to hire another person who will be working from home but will need access to my database.
A couple of questions:
1) Do you know of any problems with Act! 10 when it come to synchronizing?
2) My DB is on my laptop. I plan to move it to my desktop as the host, and then create a remote for myself and then another remote for my employee. I only own one license currently. Will I need to purchase two licenses, or am i legally allowed to place my one license on my desktop and my laptop?
Thanks in advance!!
1. No, but you should update to 10.0.3 as it has a couple of sync fixes.
2. You will need 1 license per user
Thanks.
That means (without purchasing any more licenses) I can get my feet wet and install ACT! as a host on my desktop and a remote copy on my laptop. That way, without incurring any expenses, I can make sure everything works well, and once satisfied I can then purchase/install on the employees copy. Thanks for your time and expertise!!
I plan on using Hamachi VPN also. Never used it but it looks like it will help us sync between our two home offices.
One more Q: I do NOT have the premium version of ACT! How important would you say it is to purchase/use the premium versions? I would like to have the syncing done automatically (which i think the premium version allows), but I am sure i could get into the habit of syncing on entry/exit. Is the premium version worth the additional cost for this purpose?
If you want sync to be done automatically, you'll need the Premium version... this has a sync server that doesn't require the master to be logged in and can add auto sync to the remotes.
It does make it a bit easier.
It's worth getting an ACT! Consultant to do the initial setup for you
Thanks!
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