SmartSuite Database Backup

[GoldenHaddock]

A collegue of mine has a SmartSuite database containing several years worth of data.

I was suprised to find that this data is never backed up and that it is critical.

Unlike access, there doesn't seem to be a clear cut file name that I can just save (only had a quick look, not familiar with the software) to a seperate location.

Can anybody suggest a simple solution to this problem so that the data can be secured against loss?

Excuse me if it's simple but as I say, I have no experience with the software.

Thanks

 

[suesloan]

Assuming you have an Approach database in the default file format, you need to back up multiple files. To find out their names and where they are stored, open the Approach file and look on the File menu for Approach File Properties. The location of the application .APR file is at the top. The locations of the database .DBF files are listed there too.

Now, you should know that for every .DBF file there will be a .ADX type of file with the same name in the same folder. And there may be a .DBT file of the same name. These are "sets" and must be backed up together or you will lose information.

What I do is use Winzip to create a copy of the application's folder and its content. Another method would be to copy the folder to a CDRW. And there are "backup" programs that can be set up to run on a schedule.

One thing to watch is that files that are OPEN at the time a backup is run may not be copied. You will need to get all users out of the application to ensure this will work OK.

Sue Sloan