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Setting up Time and Attendance Plus in Multi User Mode - SQL Server / MSDE Backend

This support article shows you how to setup Time and Attendance Plus in multi user mode when you use the SQL Server / MSDE database backend. Time and Attendance Plus can be setup in multi user mode, which allows you to administer the software from one PC and collect your time and attendance information from other PC's connected to the same database. You can read more about this in our Multi User Time and Attendance Software article.

Creating the SQL Server / MSDE Database

The first thing you'll need to do is create your SQL Server / MSDE database using the Time and Attendance Plus MS Access database as a template. When you install the Time and Attendance Plus admin software it installs a blank database (called taplus.mdb) that you can use as your template.

  1. The quickest and easiest way of creating your SQL Server database is using the Database Upsizing Wizard that can be found within Microsoft Access. This tool is found in Microsoft Access 2000 or newer and can usually be found on the Tools->Database Utilities->Upsizing Wizard within MS Access.
  2. You must have installed Time and Attendance Plus on a computer and have run it at least once. This will configure and update the default blank database with all the lastest data tables and fields. You can also configure the software using the MS Access datbase backend if you like as all this information will be upsized to the SQL Server database when you create it.
  3. Of course to upsize the database you must have MS Access installed on the computer. Open the database with MS Access (the database can be found in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Time Clock MTS\Database\taplus.mdb unless you've moved it). Then run the Database Upsizing Wizard in MS Access. You must choose to create a New Database and click Next.
  4. Next you'll need to supply MS Access with the details of your SQL Server installation along with the name of the database you want to use to store your data in. You will need to know your server name, login user id, the password for this user, and of course the name of the database you want to create. Make sure to note all of this down and when completed click the Next button.
  5. The next screen gives you the chance to select which MS Access tables are created in your SQL Server database. Make sure you choose to export ALL TABLES to SQL Server. Click the Next button when you're done.
  6. The next screen gives you the chance to export various table attributes to SQL Server. Make sure to uncheck the Table Relationships checkbox. Everything else can be left in their default settings, and the Next button can be clicked.
  7. The next screen gives you the chance to make any required application changes, you can safely leave everything in their initial settings and click the Next button.
  8. The next screen will tell you the wizard is complete. Click the Finish button and the wizard will perform the upsizing process.

Note: on some computers you may experience MS Access crashes while performing the upsize. If this happens make sure your MS Access is updated with the latest service release or service pack for the version of MS Access that you have.

Setting up the Time and Attendance Plus Administrator Program to Work with SQL Server

  1. If you're using the trial version of Time and Attendance Plus or an appropriately licensed commercial version then you'll be able to use SQL Server as a database backend. When you purchase Time and Attendance Plus make sure to check the Enable SQL Server check box to be licensed to use the software with SQL Server.
  2. Run the Time and Attendance Plus Administrator program, log in as the administrator, and go to the Tools & Options->Options->System Options screen.
  3. The system options page is where you can congfigure your SQL Server connection details. Select the SQL Server database option from the drop down, and enter your connection details into the text boxes. When you're happy with the connection details click the Test Connection button to check if they are valid.
  4. When the connection is successful click the OK button to save the settings and exit from the Options screen.

Note:

  1. If the SQL Server/MSDE option is disabled then either your trial period has expired or you do not have an appropriate license to use SQL Server as a database backend.
  2. If you experience a hard crash or access violation the first time you run Time and Attendance Plus after connecting to a SQL Server database then you will need to install some software updates from Microsoft. The update you require is the most recent version of MDAC for your version of MS Windows. These can be downloaded from here: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/data/aa937730.aspx

Setting up the Time and Attendance Plus Client to Work with SQL Server

  1. If you're using the trial version of Time and Attendance Plus or an appropriately licensed commercial version then you'll be able to use SQL Server as a database backend. When you purchase Time and Attendance Plus make sure to check the Enable SQL Server check box to be licensed to use the software with SQL Server.
  2. Install the Time and Attendance Plus Client software.
  3. You'll be shown the database connection wizard the first time you run the Time and Attendance Plus Client.
  4. Using the wizard select the SQL Server / MSDE database backend option and enter all of the database connection details into the text fields. When you're happy with the details click the Test Connection button to ensure a connection can be made to the database.
  5. You can now click the Finish button and you'll now be running the Time and Attendance Plus Client connected to a SQL Server database.

Note:

  1. If the SQL Server/MSDE option is disabled then either your trial period has expired or you do not have an appropriate license to use SQL Server as a database backend.
  2. If you experience a hard crash or access violation the first time you run Time and Attendance Plus after connecting to a SQL Server database then you will need to install some software updates from Microsoft. The update you require is the most recent version of MDAC for your version of MS Windows. These can be downloaded from here: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/data/aa937730.aspx