BusinessMaster can be set up on all the Workstations in your office, and all the workstations on your network can be working in BusinessMaster simultaneously. The basic configuration is to have the main BusinessMaster database files living on a central Server. This can be any shared computer on the company network. Each workstation runs the BusinessMaster FrontEnd and uses a Mapped Network Drive connected to the Server in order to access and work with the central company data.
The first step in setting up BusinessMaster on your network is to determine the computer that is going to be the central Server. Ideally, the chosen Server is a computer on the company network that is not also being used as a Workstation, but using the Server also as a Workstation is fine too, especially if it is a newer computer with lots of processing power, memory and network bandwidth.
The network configuration can be set up starting from either an installation of BusinessMaster on a Workstation first, then copied to the Server and other Workstations, or starting on the Server first, and copied to the Workstation(s). Therefore in our help pages here, we provide instructions for both possibilities. The main difference is that if you install BusinessMaster on a Workstation first, then certain files will need to be moved to the Server. If you install on the Server first, then certain files need to be moved to the Workstation. The order in which things are done in the setup process are a little different depending on the starting point, so we document both.
We find that it is easiest to install BusinessMaster on a Workstation first, and then send over the databases to the shared Server and use the FrontEnd files that were set up on the first Workstation as a template for the additional Workstations. This is the method we detail first in the Workstation First Setup section.
Workstation First Setup <Top>
This "Workstation First Setup" section covers basic steps for setting up BusinessMaster to run on a local area network in a multi-user environment. The configuration starts first from an installation of BusinessMaster on a Workstation computer on the company network, and then involves moving the BackEnd data files over to a Server and linking both ends of the system together. We also transfer a template copy of the FrontEnd files over to the server, which are then copied to the additional workstations.
We find that it is usually easiest to install BusinessMaster on the Workstation first, then send over the necessary files to the Server from the Workstation and then set the additional Workstations up. If you decide to start your setup of BusinessMaster from the Server first, then skip this section and go to the Server First Setup section further down this page and follow the instructions there.
Step #1. Network Sharing <Top>
When BusinessMaster is installed on a Workstation first, there are 4 files that are installed in the c:\mastersolutions directory. This is the default configuration for a standalone installation of BusinessMaster.
Open the c:\mastersolutons Folder on the Workstation
Double-click on your "My Computer" icon on the Workstation desktop. In the left column, expand the directory and find the Mastersolutions directory "c:\mastersolutions". When BusinessMaster has initially been installed on a Workstation, you will see 6 files in the c:\mastersolutions folder:
Prepare the Server <Top>
The next step on the Workstation is to map a network drive to the Server. In preparation for this, a "mastersolutions" folder needs to be created on the Server, and shared for network access from the Workstations. So leave things the way they are on the Workstation for the moment and go to the server and share the c:\mastersolutions directory on the Server. (You may choose to place the "mastersolutions" folder in an already shared folder on the server, and use a mapped drive that is already mapped and common to all the workstations, and this is a good way to go as well. If you choose to do this, you can skip the information below on sharing the server folder).
The steps to share a c:\mastersolutions directory on the Server will vary, depending on what Operating System the Server is running, and how the network is configured protocol and security-wise. In our example here, the Server is running Windows 2000 Professional. The steps for sharing folders for other Windows Operating Systems can easily be located by searching the Internet. The network configuration in our examples here is a basic ethernet network with the computers all networked through a simple small business route/switch.
Go to the Root [C:] Directory on the Server
The first step in sharing the c:\mastersolutions directory on the Server is to go to the root [C:] directory on the Server. An easy way to do this is to double-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop and then clicking on the [C:] directory link.
Create a "mastersolutions" Folder in [C:] on the Server
To create a new folder, click on File>New>Folder as displayed below. Name this new folder "mastersolutions":
Open the Sharing Screen and Share the Folder <Top>
From the root [C:] directory on the Server, right-click on the "mastersolutions" folder and scroll down the context menu that pops up and select the "Sharing..." option:
Select the option to "Share this folder". It should name the fold "mastersolutions" by default. Click the OK button to exit the screen:
The c:\mastersolutions folder will now have a blue hand underneath the folder icon. This indicates that the folder is now shared on the network:
Now it's time to go back to the Workstation and configure it to run BusinesMaster linked to the data files that reside on the central Server.
Step #2. Map Network Drive <Top>
In our demonstration of mapping a network drive, we are using a Workstation running Windows XP Professional. The first step on the Workstation is to connect to the Server and map a network drive. To do this, first make sure you know the name of the Server computer.
Access the Server Share
Before opening the Map the Network Drive interface, check to see if the previously shared mastersolutions folder is visible from the Network Interface on the Workstation.
There are different ways to access the network shares from computers running Windows operating systems. One way to access the Network Interface from a Windows XP Workstation is to click on the Start Menu button from the desktop, and then click on the shortcut that says "My Network Places". (If you are running Windows 98, you will want to use the "Network Neighborhood" interface that's accessible from the desktop or from within Windows Explorer.)
Once you have opened "My Network Places", look for a folder icon labeled "mastersolutions on (name of server)". If you do not see it, you can locate and double-click on the icon that says "Entire Network", and search for the Server or shared mastersolutions folder.
Map the Network Drive
Whether or not you locate the shared mastersolutions folder, click on Tools and then click on "Map Network Drive...":
Select the "Z:" Drive for the Mapped Drive Letter, or select the drive letter of your choice. Just make sure that whichever letter you choose is a consistent letter that you will use for every connection of BusinessMaster on the Network. This means that all workstations on the network will be mapped to the mastersolutions folder on the server with the same mapped drive letter. This makes adding BusinessMaster to additional workstations much easier.
Now Click the "Browse..." button on the screen that pops up and browse for the shared mastersolutions folder on the server:
Click the OK button when you have found the shared folder:
Click the Finish button:
The newly mapped drive should pop up on your screen displaying an empty "z:\" folder. Minimize this Window for now.
The next step is to transfer the BackEnd data files to the Server from the Workstation.
Step #3. File Transfer <Top>
This page covers moving the "BackEnd" data file and a copy of the template "FrontEnd" files over to the Server from the Workstation.
Select the Backend Data File
After clicking the Finish button from the Map Network Drive screen from the previous step, the newly mapped folder will pop up on your screen. At this point the folder will be empty and ready to have the BusinessMaster BackEnd data file that is still on the Workstation transferred over to it. Minimize this server folder window for the moment.
Pull up the "c:\mastersolutions" folder that is open and minimized on the Workstation desktop. Hold the "Ctrl" key down on you keyboard and click on the Backend File named "BusinessMasterData.mdb" in order to select/highlight it.
Cut and Paste the Backend Data Files to Transfer them to the Server <Top>
With the BackEnd file now highlighted, click on the Edit and select "Cut" from the context menu:
Now bring up the empty z:\mastersolutions mapped folder window that is minimized in the taskbar on the Workstation desktop. Go to the Edit menu of that folder and select "Paste" to copy the BackEnd Data File over to the z:\mastersolutions server folder that we mapped to. Once this is done, the Data File is now located in the shared mastersolutions directory on the Server.
The next step is to open BusinessMaster on the Workstation and link it from BusinessMaster on the Workstation to the BackEnd Data File that now resides on the Server.
Step #4. Network Link <Top>
The final steps covered on this page are to complete the network setup process when linking BusinessMaster for the first time to a Network Drive from a Workstation. This is done by opening BusinessMaster on the Workstation, linking to the BackEnd Data Files that reside on the Server, then unlocking BusinessMaster for use on the Workstation.
Open BusinessMaster on the Workstation
To open BusinessMaster, double-click on the file "BusinessMaster" shortcut on the desktop.
Enter GateKeeper Information
When first opening the program, you will be asked to provide information regarding your company, and a Gatekeeper Date and Key Code. This information is provided upon purchase of BusinessMaster. Enter your company information per the email or fax from Master Solutions LLC, and press the Post button. The application will close, and you need to reopen the program. If you see the form again, it means the data you entered in not exactly the same as the license information from Master Solutions, LLC. Double check your input at this point, and if your entered information still does not unlock the program, please Contact Us.
Attach to the BackEnd Data Files <Top>
Once the Program is open, you will need to link the files across the network using the EZ Attachment Manager.
Select the "Tables" Company from the Select Company drop down menu, which is highlighted yellow:
Now click the "Select" button to browse for the mapped network drive and point the tables to the correct Data Files on the Server:
Pressing the Select button brings up the Browse for Folder window. Find and select the folder that contains the BusinessMaster Group Data Files (according to our above instructions they are in Z:\mastersolutions) and click the OK button:
This will take you back to the EZ Attachment Manager and a dialog box will ask you if you want to connect to the BackEnd data files. Look at the Group paths and check to see that the groups look like the image below:
Once you have verified that the Path/Filenames are correct, click the "Yes" button:
The next pop up screen should say "Attachments made successfully", to verify a successful connection. The number after "Attachments made successfully" indicates the amount of time in seconds it took to make the connections. Click the OK button:
If a BackEnd update Is necessary, you will see the following message box asking if you want to check the Data Files for updates. Click the Yes button:
As the message says, as long as you are sure nobody is in BusinessMaster, click the OK button when it asks you to make sure everyone is out of the Program:
This completes the attachment process and now you should see the Main BusinessMaster Switchboard:
Transfer Template FrontEnd Files to Server
BusinessMaster is now configured for use on your network. If you are going to be adding BusinessMaster to additional Workstations, then as a final step, you want to copy the installation of BusinessMaster that you just configured back over to the Server to act as a template copy that can be copied to other Workstations. If you do this, and you map with the same drive letter from the additional workstations, you will not need to relink from those workstation, once you copy the template copy to them.
Close BusinessMaster on the workstation, if you still have it open. If you do not still have a Browser window open to c:\mastersolutions on the Workstation, then double-click on your My Computer icon and go to c:\mastersolutions. Hold your Ctrl key down on you keyboard, and select "BusinessMaster.mde" and "TempData.mdb". Right-click on one of the selected files and left click on "Copy" from the context menu that pops up:
Now browse to your mapped z:\mastersolutions folder, and right-click on the mastersolutions folder that you originally made in the Create a Folder part of Step 1, and select "Paste" from context menu that pops up. Choose to Overwrite the existing files. This will now server as the template FrontEnd copy of BusinessMaster that you will copy to the Additional Workstations:
For more information on linking files, click here.
For instructions to add BusinessMaster on Additional Workstations, click here.
Server First Setup <Top>
This "Server First Setup" section covers basic steps for setting up BusinessMaster to run on a local area network in a multi-user environment. The configuration starts first from an installation of BusinessMaster on the Server computer, and then involves copying the "FrontEnd" files onto the Workstations and linking both ends of the system together.
The first three parts of this section; Organization, Network Sharing, and Map Network Drive deal with the Server side of the setup process. The last two parts; File Transfer and Network Link deal with the Workstation side of the setup process.
We find that it is easiest to install BusinessMaster on the Workstation first, and then bring over the necessary files from the Workstation to the Server and then set the additonal Workstations up. If you'd prefer to start from a Workstation, or if you already installed BusinessMaster on a Workstation, and want to set it up for sharing on a central Server, go to the Workstation First Setup section and follow the instructions there.
Step 1. Organization <Top>
When BusinessMaster is installed on the Server first, 6 files are installed in the c:\mastersolutions directory on the Server. This is the default configuration for a standalone installation of BusinessMaster.
Open the c:\mastersolutons Folder
Double-click on your "My Computer" icon on the Server desktop. In the left column, expand the directory and find the Mastersolutions directory "c:\mastersolutions". When BusinessMaster has initially been installed on the Server, you will see 6 files in the c:\mastersolutions folder:
Create a Folder for the FrontEnd Files
For organizing the files for a network configuration. It is helpful to put a copy of the "FrontEnd" files into their own folder. If you will be also using the Server as a Workstation to use BusinessMaster, then you want to leave a copy of these files in c:\mastersolutions.
Create a folder called "mastersolutions" inside the current "c:\mastersolutions" folder:
Now copy the 5 FrontEnd files; "BusinessMaster.mde", "TableFieldList-Local.txt", "tablelink.txt", "Tablelist-Local.txt" and "TempData.mdb" for pasting into the new folder. Hold your Ctrl key down on your keyboard and select both files, then right click and select "Copy":
Double-Click the newly created "mastersolutions" folder, then right-click in that folder and select "Paste", to paste the copy of the FrontEnd Files into this folder:
This prepares these FrontEnd files to be distributed to the Workstations. Usually we recommend copying this folder to the shared mastersolutions folder on the server and then from the workstations, copying these files over from the server.
Step #2. Network Sharing <Top>
The steps to share the c:\mastersolutions directory on the Server will vary depending on what Operating System the Server is running, and how the network is configured protocol and security-wise. In our example here, the Server is running Windows 2000 Professional. The steps for sharing folders for other Windows Operating Systems can easily be located by searching the Internet. The network configuration in our examples here is a basic ethernet network with the computers all networked through a simple small business route/switch.
Browse to C:\ on the Server
The first step in sharing the c:\mastersolutions directory on the Server is to go to the root c:\ directory. Continuing from our previous step of organizing data files, and making a copy of the FrontEnd files to send to the Workstations, click the "Back" button to browse from the c:\mastersolutons folder to the root c:\ directory:
Open the Sharing Screen
From the root c:\ directory on the Server, right-click on the "mastersolutions" folder and scroll down the context menu that pops up and select the "Sharing..." option:
Select the option to "Share this folder". It should name the fold "mastersolutions" by default. Click the OK button to exit the screen.
Click the Back button and go back to the root c:\ directory. You will see that the c:\mastersolutions folder has a blue hand underneath the folder icon. This indicates that the folder is now shared on the network:
This completes the Server side of the setup process that needs to be done in order to access the Server from the Workstations on the network. Now it's time to move to a Workstation and configure it to run BusinesMaster linked to the data files that reside on the central Server.
Step #3. Map Network Drive <Top>
The next step is to go to a Workstation you want to install BusinessMaster to, and connect to the Server and map a network drive to it. To do this, you first need to make sure you know the name of the Server computer. In our example for mapping a network drive, we are using a Workstation running Windows XP Professional.
In our demonstration of mapping a network drive, we are using a Workstation running Windows XP Professional. The first step on the Workstation is to connect to the Server and map a network drive. To do this, first make sure you know the name of the Server computer.
Access the Server Share
Before opening the Map the Network Drive interface, check to see if the previously shared mastersolutions folder is visible from the Network Interface on the Workstation.
There are different ways to access the network shares from computers running Windows operating systems. One way to access the Network Interface from a Windows XP Workstation is to click on the Start Menu button from the desktop, and then click on the shortcut that says "My Network Places". (If you are running Windows 98, you will want to use the "Network Neighborhood" interface that's accessible from the desktop or from within Windows Explorer.)
Once you have opened "My Network Places", look for a folder icon labeled "mastersolutions on (name of server)". If you do not see it, you can locate and double-click on the icon that says "Entire Network", and search for the Server or shared mastersolutions folder.
Map the Network Drive
Whether or not you locate the shared mastersolutions folder, click on Tools and then click on "Map Network Drive...":
Select the "Z:" Drive for the Mapped Drive Letter, or select the drive letter of your choice. Just make sure that whichever letter you choose is a consistent letter that you will use for every connection of BusinessMaster on the Network. This means that all workstations on the network will be mapped to the mastersolutions folder on the server with the same mapped drive letter. This makes adding BusinessMaster to additional workstations much easier.
Now Click the "Browse..." button on the screen that pops up and browse for the shared mastersolutions folder on the server:
Click the OK button when you have found the shared folder:
Click the Finish button:
The newly mapped drive should pop up on your screen displaying an empty "z:\" folder.
The next step is to transfer a copy of the FrontEnd Files over to the Workstation.
Step #4. File Transfer <Top>
This page covers transfering the copy of the FrontEnd files that are on the Server over to the Workstation.
Copy FrontEnd Folder to Workstation
After clicking the Finish button from the Map Network Drive screen from the previous step, the newly mapped folder will pop up. It lists the files located in the z:\mastersolutions folder on the Server. Right-click on the mastersolutions folder that we created at the end of Step #1. It contains a template copy of the two FrontEnd Files: "TempData.mdb" and " BusinessMaster.mde". Select "Copy" from the Menu that pops up:
Paste the FrontEnd Folder to the "C:\" Directory on Workstation
Browse from My Computer to the "C:\" directory of the Workstation. Paste the FrontEnd "mastersolutions" folder into this directory by going to the Edit menu and clicking on "Paste" from the context menu that pops up:
The next step is to open BusinessMaster on the Workstation. If the drive mappings are the same as they were on the original workstation, then the program should open right up with no necessary relinking. You may need to relink the FrontEnd files on the Workstation to the BackEnd data files that reside on the Server.
Step #5. Network Link <Top>
The final steps covered on this page are to complete the network setup process when installing BusinessMaster for the first time. This is done by opening BusinessMaster on the Workstation, unlocking BusinessMaster for use on the Workstation, and linking the FrontEnd files to the BackEnd data files that reside on the Server.
Open BusinessMaster on the Workstation
To open BusinessMaster, double-click on the file "BusinessMaster" shortcut on the desktop.
Enter GateKeeper Information
When first opening the program, you will be asked to provide information regarding your company, and a Gatekeeper Date and Key Code. This information is provided upon purchase of BusinessMaster. Enter your company information per the email or fax from Master Solutions LLC, and press the Post button. The application will close, and you need to reopen the program. If you see the form again, it means the data you entered in not exactly the same as the license information from Master Solutions, LLC. Double check your input at this point, and if your entered information still does not unlock the program, please Contact Us.
Attach to the BackEnd Data Files
Once the Program is open, you will need to link the files across the network using the EZ Attachment Manager.
Select the "Tables" Company from the Select Company drop down menu, which is highlighted yellow:
Now click the "Select" button to browse for the mapped network drive and point the tables to the correct Data Files on the Server:
Pressing the Select button brings up the Browse for Folder window. Find and select the folder that contains the BusinessMaster Group Data Files (according to our above instructions they are in Z:\mastersolutions) and click the OK button:
This will take you back to the EZ Attachment Manager and a dialog box will ask you if you want to connec to the BackEnd data file. Look at the Group paths and check to see that the groups look like the image below:
Once you have verified that the Path/Filenames are correct, click the "Yes" button:
The next pop up screen should say "Attachments made successfully", to verify a successful connection. The number after "Attachments made successfully" indicates the amount of time in seconds it took to make the connections. Click the OK button:
If a BackEnd update Is necessary, you will see the following message box asking if you want to check the Data Files for updates. Click the Yes button:
As the message says, as long as you are sure nobody is in BusinessMaster, click the OK button when it asks you to make sure everyone is out of the Program:
This completes the attachment process and now you should see the Main BusinessMaster Switchboard:
Copy Workstation Files to Server
BusinessMaster is now configured use on your network. If you are going to be adding BusinessMaster to additional Workstations, then as a final step, you want to copy the installation of BusinessMaster that you just configured back over to the Server to act as a template copy that can be copied to other Workstations. If you do this, and you map with the same drive letter from the additional workstations, you will not need to relink from those workstation, once you copy the template copy to them.
Close BusinessMaster on the workstation, if you still have it open. If you do not still have a Browser window open to c:\mastersolutions on the Workstation, then double-click on your My Computer icon and go to c:\mastersolutions. Hold your Ctrl key down on you keyboard, and select "BusinessMaster.mde" and "TempData.mdb". Right-click on one of the selected files and left click on "Copy" from the context menu that pops up:
Now browse to your mapped z:\mastersolutions folder, and right-click on the mastersolutions folder that you originally made in the Create a Folder part of Step 1, and select "Paste" from context menu that pops up. Choose to Overwrite the existing files. This will now server as the template FrontEnd copy of BusinessMaster that you will copy to the Additional Workstations:
For more information on linking files, click here.
For instructions to add BusinessMaster on Additional Workstations, see the next section below.
Add Workstations <Top>
The process for adding Workstations is to map the network drive from the additional Workstation to the Server, and then transfer over a template copy of the FrontEnd files over to the Server and then move a copy of that template from the Server to the additional Workstations.
NOTE: If you keep the drive letter the same on the additonal workstations as you did on the first workstation that you installed BusinessMaster on, then you will not need to change the linking. Simply transfer the FrontEnd files over to the additional Workstationand open BusinessMaster on that Workstation and it should connect usig the same linking groups.
Go to the Workstation that you want to add BusinessMaster to and follow the configuration steps below:
Step #1. Map Network Drive <Top>
In our demonstration of mapping a network drive, we are using a Workstation running Windows XP Professional. The first step on the Workstation is to connect to the Server and map a network drive. To do this, first make sure you know the name of the Server computer.
Access the Server Share
Before opening the Map the Network Drive interface, check to see if the previously shared mastersolutions folder is visible from the Network Interface on the Workstation.
There are different ways to access the network shares from computers running Windows operating systems. One way to access the Network Interface from a Windows XP Workstation is to click on the Start Menu button from the desktop, and then click on the shortcut that says "My Network Places". (If you are running Windows 98, you will want to use the "Network Neighborhood" interface that's accessible from the desktop or from within Windows Explorer.)
Once you have opened "My Network Places", look for a folder icon labeled "mastersolutions on (name of server)". If you do not see it, you can locate and double-click on the icon that says "Entire Network", and search for the Server or shared mastersolutions folder.
Map the Network Drive
Whether or not you locate the shared mastersolutions folder, click on Tools and then click on "Map Network Drive...":
Select the "Z:" Drive for the Mapped Drive Letter, or select the drive letter of your choice. Just make sure that whichever letter you choose is a consistent letter that you will use for every connection of BusinessMaster on the Network. This means that all workstations on the network will be mapped to the mastersolutions folder on the server with the same mapped drive letter. This makes adding BusinessMaster to additional workstations much easier.
Now Click the "Browse..." button on the screen that pops up and browse for the shared mastersolutions folder on the server:
Click the OK button when you have found the shared folder:
Click the Finish button:
The newly mapped drive should pop up on your screen displaying an empty "z:\" folder. Minimize this Window for now.
The next step is to transfer the BackEnd data files and transfer a copy of the new template FrontEnd files to the Server from the Workstation.
Step #2. Transfer Files <Top>
This step covers transfering the FrontEnd files that are on the Server over to the Workstation. (If you don't have a copy of the Template FrontEnd files on the Server, then follow these steps, but copy the c:\mastersolutions folder from the original Workstation on the network that BusinessMaster was installed on.)
Copy Template FrontEnd Folder to the Workstation
After clicking the Finish button from the Map Network Drive screen from the previous step, the newly mapped folder will pop up. It lists the files located in the z:\mastersolutions folder on the Server. Right-click on the mastersolutions folder that we created at the end of Step #1 of Server First Setup. It contains a template copy of the two FrontEnd Files: "TempData.mdb" and " BusinessMaster.mde". Select "Copy" from the Menu that pops up:
Paste the Template FrontEnd Folder to C:\ Directory on Workstation
Browse from My Computer to the C:\ directory of the Workstation. Paste the FrontEnd "mastersolutions" folder into this directory by going to the Edit menu and clicking on "Paste" from the context menu that pops up:
If you have followed these steps, then you will not need to relink to the BackEnd, as this linking was already done from the first Workstation and this copy of the FrontEnd is already setup with this configuration. Go to Step 3 to create a Shortcut and then you are ready to open BusinessMaster from the additional workstation for the first time.
If for some reason you chose a different network mapping, or didn't create or use a Template copy of the FrontEnd files, you will need to Link this copy of BusinessMaster to the Data Files that are shared on your server. Click here for these steps, as they are covered in our "Workstation First" instructions.
Step #3. Create a Shortcut <Top>
When adding additional workstations, manually creating a shortcut allows BusinessMaster to be opened directly from the workstation desktop. Here's one way to create a shortcut from within Windows Explorer or My Computer. (For more help with this procedure, consult the Windows Help system, which is usually accessible from the Windows Start Menu).
1.) Select, or highlight the desired program file ( in our case, it is c:\mastersolutions\BusinessMaster.mde) by left clicking on it.
2.) On the File menu, in the Windows system toolbar at the top left of the window, click on Create Shortcut.
3.) Drag the shortcut icon onto the desktop.
4.) Double click the new shortcut from the new desktop shortcut to open the program.
Here's another way to quickly create the shortcut:
1.) Right click on the file (c:\mastersolutions\<PROGRAM>.mde).
2.) From the context menu that pops up, navigate with your mouse cursor to "Send To > Desktop (create shortcut)" and left click on Desktop (create shortcut). Note: On some systems, this second option may not be present.
