Using the Network Module - Professional :

SETTING UP THE NETWORK

The program must be installed on all computers and registered with a key file that includes the network module.

The network must be set up so that the data is kept on what we call the host machine and will be in a folder such as c:\mtm2\kudu\data.

All other computers that want to access the data must have read-write access to the folder above and have the drive mapped as any letter eg H: J: Z:

On the remote machine you will need to:

1. Change the path of your data folder to point to the data on the mapped drive

(Click on Tools Data Folder and change the path of eg the Kudu alias from c:\mtm2\kudu\data to eg Z:\mtm2\kudu\data)

2. Assign this as a remote rather than a host application

( Click on Tools - System variables – and go to the network tab. Take off the Host machine switch if it has not already been done automatically)

USING THE NETWORK

Everytime the program is started on the host machine it will perform comprehensive checks on the data and also make an automatic backup of the data. To do this it requires that the program be closed on any other networked machine. Such exclusive use of the data is also required in order to do monthend updates, take backups, and create EDI batches. These functions should preferably also be done from the host computer, though any of the networked machines may be used so long as that machine is the only one with the program open at that time.

Starting the program on the remote computer will not do these automatic startup tasks.

Therefore you should always start the program on the host computer first, then on the remotes. Should you need to close and reopen the program on the host machine you will need to ask your colleague at the remote machine to close their program while you do so. Likewise when you do updates, edi batches, etc.

NETWORK PROBLEMS

Networks will give problems from time to time usually because the connection has been lost. This will result in the remote machine not being able to find the data and therefore not able to show your patient list or anything else. The reasons for the lost connection could be:

1. an unplugged cable
2. the drive has got unmapped,
3. other Windows or hardware problems.

You should learn to deal with 1 and 2 yourself but 3 will require some technical help

NETWORK PRINTING

Networks are great for sharing printers though this can get pretty complicated if you are running different versions of Windows and therefore different printer drivers on the different computers.

Obviously if the network is not working (see problems above) then the shared printing won’t either.