====== Maintenance ======

===== Maintaining FastManager =====

Your subscription to FastManager includes *unlimited* Maintenance, Support and access to any Updates that may be released from time to time.

<note>
Remember to check our [[https://fastmanager.com/updates.asp|Updates Page]] regularly to see if you have the latest revision. 

  * For more information see: [[installation:#update_fastmanager|Updating FastManager]]
</note>

If you have any questions or problems, feel free to head to the [[https://help.fastmanager.com|HelpDesk]] to get assistance


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===== Backup your database =====

<note>
Although the simplest thing to do is just to zip or copy the //entire data folder//, this can result in quite a large backup file (the pictures folders can take up quite a lot of space as time goes by). \\
Therefore, you may prefer to backup just the company & catalogs databases. It's up to you. The steps are essentially the same: it's only a difference between ZIP'ing just the 2 database files and ZIP'ing the entire folder
</note>

<note important>
It is **not** a good idea to include the FastManager Data Folder in any kind of //automated// backup process (like Carbonite), or a cloud-folder sync service (such as Google Drive or Dropbox). \\
Rather manually ZIP the databases, then move them to another folder and let //that// folder be included in the automated backup.
</note>

\\
**Step 1: locate your "FastManager Data Folder"**

This is the folder where your company database is stored, as well as various other files and folders that FastManager uses.

  * Open FastManager and check in the lower-left corner of the program window, there you will see the "path" to where your main company database is stored.

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{{ :setup:db_location.jpg?direct |}}

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Using Windows File Explorer locate that folder. In it you will find the following files:

  * ''%%db.qdb%%''
  * ''%%catalogs.mdb%%'' (or it might be just ''%%catalogs%%'')

And some folders, such as: 

  * ''%%thumbnails_1%%'' 
  * ''%%upsshippinglabels%%'' 
  * ... and a few others.

Here is an example:

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{{ :faq:selection_032.jpg?direct |}}

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<note tip>
The simplest thing to do is zip up that //whole folder// ... the only reason not to is if the resulting archive will be too large for the available space or bandwidth. If ths is the case, read on .... 
</note>

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<note important>
The most important file to have a backup of is ''%%db.qdb%%''.\\
This is the file which contains all your customers, orders, and everything else (except your catalogs and items, those are stored seperately)
</note>

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**Step 2**

Get everyone to close FastManager

<note>
While FastManager is //open// , you will see 2 "lock" files in the data folder. You will recognize them by the tiny "lock" emblem on the icon, as well as the fact that they are very very small (only 1kb):
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{{ :maintenance:selection_034.jpg?direct |}}
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These 2 lock files should //disappear// after everyone closes FastManager. \\
If the lock files are still there even after you are sure that FastManager is closed everywhere - contact the HelpDesk for assistance
</note>

Once are sure the "lock" files are **gone** - proceed to the next step:

  * Press ''Ctrl'' + ''A'' (simultaneously)) on your keyboard to select **all** the files & folders inside that folder. 
  
  * Or use ''Ctrl'' + ''left-click'' to selectively highlight only certain files.

  * Select the fies:
    * ''%%db.qdb%%'' and 
    * ''%%catalogs.mdb%%'' (might be listed as just: ''%%catalogs%%'')

You can optionally also select:''%%pictures_1%%'' (this is your Pictures Folder, sometimes also called: ''%%thumbnails_1%%''), but remember that this could make your backup file quite large.

  * Now right-click on one of the highlighted items and select:
    * ''%%Send to --> Compressed (Zipped) Folder%%''
    * This will zip all the selected files & folders together into one archive,
    * If you're pressed for available space (the thumbnails _1 folder and the "catalogs" database can become quite large), remember that the most important thing to have a backup of, is the main company database file: 'db.qdb'

<note>If in doubt, just back it ALL up</note>

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{{ :faq:zip-dbs.mp4?720x432 }}

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Now you should have a new file in that folder called: ''%%db.zip%%'' or, possibly: ''%%catalogs.zip%%''. \\

That is your backup.

  * Move or copy that ''%%.zip%%'' archive to some other folder, for example, if you have your own private NextCloud server, or if you're using a proprietary service such as DropBox or Carbonite, move the file ''%%db.zip%%'' into a folder that will be picked up by that software so that it makes a remote backup for you (uploads it to your cloud storage).
  * You could also copy it onto a thumb drive or other external, removable storage.

<note important>
If you use a removable or external drive to store your backups, **take it off-site!** \\
If you make a copy of a file and keep it in the same location as the original - you don't have a backup, you just have a //copy//. \\
If the hard drive fails or the building burns down, you have lost both.
</note>

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===== Backing up a SQL database =====

<note>This is a //"quick and dirty"// howto, using //SQL Server Management Studio//. The video which follows shows a bit more detail</note>

Open "SQL Server Management Studio​"​

  * Connect with //"Windows Authentication"//

  * Expand ''Databases''

  * Right-click on the database to backup

  * Select/confirm the database to backup

  * ''%%Backup to%%'' = //'Disk'//

  * Click on ADD to add a new backup location & filename

  * Browse to the folder where the backup file will be stored and give it a name

  * (remove any unneeded entries from the list of backups to be created)

  * Then click OK

<note tip> The video views better in fullscreen mode</note>

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{{ :maintenance:sqlbackup.webm?960x480 }}

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===== Data Verification =====

From time to time it may become necessary to verify the data contained in the database.

<note tip>
For Example" You might see some entries on the ''%%Accounts Receivable Report%%'' that show ''%%0.00%%'' as the balance.\\
This is often a "glitch" in the data and can be fixed with a Data Verification.
</note>

In FastManager, go to ''%%File%%'' -> ''%%Data Verification%%''

  * Each option performs a different task.
  * You can safely select all the options,
  * Remember to check the box to confirm that all the other users have closed FastManager before you click on Start

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{{ :maintenance:data_verification.jpg?direct |}}

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<note important> Make sure that **all* the (other) users have closed FastManager before you start the routine</note>

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<note> The option to ''%%Verify Items%%'' will take a long time (especially if you have several vendor catalogs)</note>

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