Create a Remote Database

Update - Version 8 Documentation

Once synchronization is set up, it is easy to synchronize a remote database with your main database. But installing the remote database and setting up the synchronization requires that you go through a long list of steps. You may be better off having an experienced Time Matters consultant set up the remote database and synchronization for you.

These synchronization setup steps are described in the Synchronization chapter of the Time Matters manual, both the printed version and the PDF version. Some examples are also shown in the Online Help.

Click on Help | Contents and Index | Search . Type: laptop . Click on one of the topics and press the Display button.

Why Synchronize?

Keeping an up-to-date Remote database gives you great protection against a severe interruption of your important work. It allows you to keep doing your job with the help of Time Matters even if the main Time Matters computer is knocked out of action.

Once you have set up a Remote database, you can keep it up-to-date quickly and simply. Setting it up, however, requires that you go through a lengthy list of steps. It is worth the time and effort. Spend just one day without Time Matters and you will know why.

Old Step-by-Step

Updated instructions are available the Time Matters manual. See the Update!, above.

Here are the steps we suggest for creating a Remote database. The Time

1. Start with a laptop or desktop PC where Time Matters is already installed. (If it is not already installed, follow the instructions in the Time Matters Setup Guide.)
2. Log in to your main Time Matters database and back it up: File | Backup Time Matters Data
3. Put the Time Matters Application CD in the CD Drive.
4. At the CD menu, click Install Applications. Click Install Time Matters 5.0. Click Next.
5. Click I Accept. Click Next.
6. Uncheck Install Word Processor Links. Click Next.
7. Click Data Only. Click Next.
8. Heads Up: Do you already have a separate Time Matters database on this PC? Probably not. If you do, this step will overwrite any data in C:\tmw5\data or the folder you select. If you are using Time Matters on a peer-to-peer network, be sure this PC does not store the main Time Matters database in C:\tmw5\data.
9. In the Choose Destination window, the Destination Folder should be: C:\tmw5. You are about to copy files into C:\tmw5\data, overwriting any files that are already there. Click Next.
10. Click No -Do Not Install Sample Data. Click Next. Click Next.
11. At the Create Shortcut window, click No. Click Next. Click Finish.
12. Open Time Matters. Go to File | Utilities | File Locations
13. Click the Add Record icon ( the green plus sign)
14. Click the Default button at the bottom. Click OK.
15. Click the Remote Database button at the bottom.
16. Replace the words "Main Database" with the words "Remote Database on PC" in the File Description. Instead of "PC" you can enter a name that identifies your laptop or desktop computer.
17. Replace W with R in the next field.
18. Click the Remote Database button at the bottom. Click OK.
19. Click OK when an Invalid Path message box appears stating: The Path entered for the Tutor Directory does not exist.
20. Open Time Matters. You will either go straight into the Main Database or you will see a Welcome - Please Log In wndow.
21. If you went straight into the Main Database, click File | Re-Login
22. At the Welcome - Please Log In window, click the Options button.
23. Uncheck the Save This Login box. Click the Database button. Double-click the Remote Database on PC entry.
24. (Updated) The Time Matters Activation window may appear now. The Remote database needs to be activated by telephoning LexisNexis Activation: 800-328-2898 x4 or 919-467-1221 x4.
25. The Welcome to Time Matters window appears. Click Next.
26. Go through the wizard for setting up a new database, entering your name, a User ID and Password. All this information will be overwritten later when you install a Clone file. Write down your User ID and Password so you will know how to get back into this database
27. Click Next, Next, Next... all the way through to the end of the wizard.

After creating this Remote Database, go to the Time Matters Manual section on Synchronization. Follow the instructions for creating a Clone file in your Main Database and then install it into this Remote Database. Do not be worried by warnings that the Clone database will overwrite everything in your database. You created this database for the express purpose of overwriting it with all the information from the Clone file.

To log in to the the main database, simply open Time Matters and log in with your User ID and password, if any. To log in to the Remote database, open Time Matters. If automatically went all the way in to Time Matters, click File | Re-Login. At the log-in window, click the Options button, then the Database button. Double-click on the "Remote Database on PC" entry, then log in with your User ID and password, if any.

If you have a Remote Database on your laptop computer, you can use Time Matters "unplugged" away from your office network. When you return to the office, be sure to Synchronize to the main Time Matters database according to the Time Matters manual. It is a easy, wizard-based task.

By synchronizing regularly, you will keep a usable emergency copy of your Time Matters database easily available. If your main computer or server goes down, your Remote database can save you time, money and headaches.

Wells Anderson
800.575.0007 keywords: key_TimeMatters