Your SQL-type databases may be shared among different users working at different workstations. On Center Software Technical Support does not provide assistance with configuring your network, SQL Server, or various security settings required to use SQL database - you are responsible for setting up, administering, and maintaining networks, SQL Servers, and user accounts. All questions regarding networking are best directed to a local IT Professional.
See previous and Related articles for more information on creating and using SQL databases.
Never store Microsoft Access databases on a network drive or allow more than one user to open them at a time. Although On-Screen
Takeoff can open a Microsoft Access-type
database stored in a network local or shared drive, your
database will become damaged and unusable. SQL
database are the only acceptable method for sharing databases or storing data on a network location.
When sharing databases, it is recommend that all databases be set to "Require Login" and that you have setup Employee "Access Levels", see the previous article for more information on using program-level security to limit what users can see/do.
When sharing a database, keep in mind that only one user may work on a Project at any one time. The first user to open the project (activate the Image, Takeoff, or Worksheet Tab) locks the Bid and he or she is the only person to edit the project. Once that person closes the Bid (opens another Bid, closes the database, or shuts down On-Screen Takeoff), another user will be able to open/edit the Bid. For a truly collaborative takeoff experience, consider ConstructConnect Takeoff: https://www.constructconnect.com/takeoff-estimating-software.
See CLS - Best Practices for Best Practices and Recommendations.
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That's it! This is the last article of the On-Screen Takeoff User Guide. Great job!
Be sure to check out the other On-Screen Takeoff resources on the Product Information and Downloads Page and the On-Screen Takeoff Training Resource.
Setting a Database to Require Login