Answer: Since Catalyst is based in Microsoft Access®, each client machine must either have a licensed copy of Access or the runtime version installed on each client machine.  For network environments, the back-end database must also be placed on a server machine so it can be shared by all users.

Client Installation

1.      Backup any Catalyst database files you may have in the Catalyst folder from a previous installation. Uninstall any previous version using either the Catalyst setup disk/file or Add and Remove Programs utility in the Windows® Control Panel.

2.      Run the Catalyst setup file downloaded previously by double-clicking the setup file in its stored location. If you are installing from a CD, the setup program should launch automatically after inserting the CD into the media drive. Catalyst must be installed by a user with administrator rights.

3.      Follow the instructions in the setup wizard to install Catalyst on the local machine. After the Catalyst setup program completes, a program shortcut is automatically placed in your Programs group and the desktop.

4.      Repeat the steps above for each required client installation.

5.      To activate the product, you need to submit your registration information as described in the Product Registration help topic.

Network Installation

1.      Create a Catalyst folder on your network server with at least Read/Modify permissions, preferably Full Control.

2.   Move the Catalyst back-end database files from the Catalyst folder on the client machine to the network server machine. The Microsoft Access® back-end database files have a mdb file extension and include the “_be” reference in the file name. The SQL Server® database files have a mdf file extension and are matched with database log files having a ldf file extension. Note: The non-sample database (i.e. without the “StoreMore” name) should be the database that is registered and used to populate company data.

3.      Establish a linked connection to a Catalyst back-end database file located on your server by opening Catalyst from a client machine. If the Select Company Data File screen does not appear, open it by selecting File > Select Company from the Catalyst main menu. The instructions for linking to a back-end database vary slightly depending on whether you are connecting to a Microsoft Access® or SQL Server® database. For more details, refer to the Select Company help topic.

4.      To avoid having to establish a connection to your server on every client machine, you can copy the front-end database file after completing step 3 above to all client machines. Otherwise, you will need to perform step 3 on each client machine.

5.      To enable user-level security so that each user logs into Catalyst with their own user name and password, refer to the instructions provided in the Enable User-Level Security help topic.