Client Server Version - Even More Speed, Reliability and Convenience

Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Client Server Versions (CSV) offer a variety of enhancements that will help to increase not only the speed, but the convenience and reliability of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster. CSV provides Accelerators, HotBackup, Auto-Recovery, and eNote, none of which are available in multi-user versions. Accelerators aid in increasing the speed of report processing. For greater convenience, HotBackup allows you to run a backup at any point in the day, without asking users to log out. Auto-Recovery enhances the software’s reliability by nsuring that actions complete correctly before changing your data, thus protecting against unexpected network interruptions. Finally, eNote provides an intra-office messaging system for PracticeMaster Premier users that blends the best features of e-mail and instant messaging. Let’s take a closer look at how these enhancements work. To increase the speed of common reports, CSV uses Accelerators. Accelerators are executables that work with the STI Server Software on the file server to process reports at the server level, rather than at the workstation. The result is common reports run 10 to 30 times faster when compared to multi-user versions. For example, firms with large amounts of data can run a report that would currently take 25 minutes in as little as 50 seconds. The increased speed is primarily due to changing where the report is processed. In non-CSV versions, the workstation sends the report request to the server. The server responds by sending the necessary data to the workstation. The workstation begins to process the report, but if additional information is needed, new requests have to be sent over the network. In the Client Server Version, the workstation and network play a minimal part in report processing. This is because the report request is sent to the server, and then, rather than sending large amounts of data back to the workstation, the Accelerator on the server generates the report. The finished report is then returned to the workstation to be printed. By both reducing the data that needs to travel over the network and using a server that is typically faster than a workstation, you can experience much faster report processing, and less network traffic. There are some reports that do not utilize the Accelerators because they require a minimal amount of processing. These reports are processed on the workstation, allowing the Accelerators to focus their power on more computationally intensive reports, such as Accounts Receivable reports, generating statements, the Receipt Allocation Report, etc. You can refer to our Knowledge Base Article R11182 for a complete list of reports that utilize the accelerators and those that do not. While speed is an important CSV enhancement, eliminating the inconvenience of midday backups is also a significant benefit for many firms. Often, firms cannot take time to ask each user to exit the software to run a backup when it is recommended. They may choose to rely only on a nightly backup. However, if they need to restore their backup, this can result in a loss of an entire day’s productivity. To ease this anxiety, CSV utilizes HotBackup, which allows users to make a backup while others continue to work. Here is a common scenario for firms that use the multi-user version: A bookkeeper needs to use the Change WIP Transactions utility. When she begins, Tabs3 asks her to run a backup during which everyone must exit the software. She knows that they have a lot of data and the backup will take more than a few minutes, and that getting everyone out of the software will be a major ordeal. Apprehensively, she decides to skip the backup and take the risk. She would rather re-enter all of the information entered since the nightly backup if the utility is interrupted. CSV eliminates this risk and anxiety for the bookkeeper. It takes a snapshot of the data file when the backup is initialized. The backup is then processed on the server while everyone continues to work on their computers. The backup is safe, fast, and convenient. You can configure HotBackup, including the number of previous backups to keep, the location of the backups (allowing you to incorporate your Tabs3 and PracticeMaster backups into your system-wide backup process), a backup scheduler that lets you choose the times and days to run the HotBackup, and optional e-mail notifications to let you know whether or not each HotBackup completed successfully. Besides convenience, HotBackup also allows you to save an unlimited amount of data to your backup files, rather than the 2GB limitation in the multi-user version. Please remember, the HotBackup should not replace a robust firm-wide nightly backup procedure, as server hardware failure cannot be predicted. CSV also offers a stabilizing enhancement called Transaction Processing, which provides greater protection from data file corruption when performing most non-exclusive tasks. Transaction Processing ensures that all operations of a given database transaction complete successfully. A database transaction consists of a collection of operations grouped together into a single unit. Transaction Processing requires that all operations complete successfully before any part of the transaction is committed to the main database. If even one operation fails, the entire transaction fails, and the main database remains untouched. This is called Auto-Recovery. In most cases, one would simply need to perform the task again for the transaction to process successfully. Similarly, Auto-Recovery is used whenever the STI Server software is shut down unexpectedly. If the firm experiences a power outage or surge, or a hardware malfunction, Auto-Recovery will keep any incomplete database transactions from being committed, leaving the firm’s main data set untouched. For more information on which specific tasks are protected by Transaction Processing and Auto-Recovery, you can refer to our Knowledge Base article R11179. Several processes within the multi-user version of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster (for example, the Update Statements utility) prompt users to make a backup before proceeding. CSV eliminates the backup requirement for many non-exclusive functions. At the server level, Transaction Processing takes a snapshot of the data before each transaction, function, or process. If the process is interrupted at any point before completion, the software will use the snapshot to roll back the transaction so that no error occurs. With this improvement, if a function such as Update Statements is interrupted due to a lost network connection, there will be no need to restore from a backup. Simply run a Data File Integrity Check to ensure no other problems exist, and then Update Statements again once your network connection stabilizes. As a communication tool of PracticeMaster Premier CSV, eNote provides fast and easy notification within the software. eNote combines the best features of e-mail and instant messaging to streamline communication, facilitate workflow between users, retain records for accountability, and enhance your current case management procedures in a remarkably easy-to-use interface. When you need to deliver an urgent message and your recipient is on the phone or in a meeting, eNote enables you to notify him or her without disruption. Selecting the option to make an eNote “urgent” forces that eNote to pop up on top of the user’s current applications. This is particularly useful for last-minute scheduling changes and notification of urgent phone calls and situations. And because eNotes can only be sent to other PracticeMaster users in your firm, it is an especially useful communication method for people in your office who do not have internet access. eNote also offers an easy way to notify a user of changes or additions to PracticeMaster records. The eNotify feature allows you to link any PracticeMaster record to an eNote. Here is a scenario where this feature would be useful: A receptionist enters a new client, who has also requested a short introductory meeting with the attorney. While still viewing the client record, the receptionist is able to save the record and then click the eNotify button to begin a new eNote. This eNote will automatically include a link to the client record. When the attorney receives the eNote, she will see the receptionist’s note alerting her that a new client is requesting a quick meeting. Clicking the link will instantly display the client’s record so that the attorney is prepared to meet the new client. By using eNote, the receptionist has ensured that the attorney has basic information about the client available at a moment’s notice, without using a noisy intercom or sending an e-mail to an already overflowing Inbox. eNote provides a fast, easy, and convenient form of communication for your firm. The use of Accelerators, HotBackup, Transaction Processing, and eNote make Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Client Server Versions not only faster, but more convenient and reliable. For more information regarding these enhancements, please contact your local consultant, reseller, or our Technical Support Department at (402) 419-2210.