How to Use Parts Tracker on Multiple Computers Across a Network

These instructions explain how to set up Parts Tracker to share a data file across a network for multiple computers. The network could be a LAN, and WAN or even a VPN network running over the Internet (e.g. from home).

• Ensure that each computer is networked and allows file sharing. Choose a ‘master’ computer where the Parts Tracker data will be stored (this data is your orders, parts inventory, transactions, etc). The following points should help in choosing the computer:
  • The data file needs to be backed up regularly, so choose a computer that you back up regularly (and make sure you add the Parts Tracker data file to your backup procedure).
  • Choosing the computer you’ll use Parts Tracker on the most will make performance slightly better than the other networked computers (depending on the network connection speed). In other words, if you plan use Parts Tracker from computer 'A' the most, then that computer would be a good one to choose.
  • A fast computer with plenty of hard drive space and speed will perform better as the master.
• Install Parts Tracker on all computers and register each copy. (Note: you will need to obtain a separate regiatration unlock key for each computer.)
• Initially, each computer will have its own Parts Tracker data file (named PartsTrackerData3_0.mdb). You need to remove this file on every computer except the 'master' computer chosen above. The file is in the following folder: C:\Program Files\Parts Tracker. Make sure you only delete the one named PartsTrackerData3_0.mdb, and not any others (note: on some computers, you won't see the ".mdb" at the end of the file name – this is fine, just remove the file named PartsTrackerData3_0 if that's the case). Note: if you've already started using Parts Tracker on any computer then deleting the Parts Tracker data file on that computer will cause you to lose any data you've entered on that computer. If you've only been using one computer, and it won't be the 'master' computer, then you can just copy the data file to the new master computer, then continue with the steps below. If you've used more than one computer with separate data files, and you want to merge the separate data into one master data file, then you have to do this manually. Contact the support email address if you need assistance with doing this.
• The master computer will now be the only one containing your live Parts Tracker data (besides extra copies that you might copy as a backup).
• After deleting the data file (except the master computer), start Parts Tracker on each computer (one computer at a time). Parts Tracker will ask you to find the data file (because it can't find it anymore). Find the master computer in the file browsing dialog box and navigate to C:\Program Files\Parts Tracker on the master computer. In that folder, choose the PartsTrackerData3_0.mdb file.
• Parts Tracker will then start up. If you have set up users on the master computer already, you will be prompted to login as a user. If no users are set up, the main menu will appear. That computer's copy of Parts Tracker is now linked to the master data file across the network.
• Do this for each computer, except the master. You don't need to do this for the master computer (as the master computer still has its own local data file).
• Note that once you have this working, if the network is interrupted for any reason, or if the master computer become unavailable, then the other computers will not be able to access the data file and Parts Tracker will ask you to find the data file again. You will need to fix/re-enable the network or master computer before you can continue to use Parts Tracker on the other computers. If you have serious problems with the master computer and don't want to use it anymore (or just temporarily), then you can simply copy/move the master data file to another computer and follow the steps above to make each computer use this data file in its new location.
• Note: at any time, you can see which data file is being used for a particular computer by opening the Parts Tracker Settings window (Main Menu -> Settings -> Parts Tracker Settings) and choosing the Data File tab. The path to the data file is shown, and a Change button allows you to change the data file for that computer. It is still better to not have a local data file on the non-master computers because if they lose their connection to the master computer, they may start using the local file without you realising.