Windows 7: We want everyone to use the same date for a program

Hi, we use a program called HomeTech Advantage (it's an estimating software). We have everyone on a workgroup network using a router but don't use network software.

We'd like to set it up so everyone is using the same data & files for this program, so we don't have to copy an estimate file onto a jump drive to put it on another computer.

What's the best way to accomplish this?

Thanks in advance

The way its usually done is to have one computer set up as the host. then file sharing for the folder that will contain the files.
Example:

So on comp1, the folder is in C:\SomeFolder\EstimatesFolder
Set the EstimatesFolder as Shared and name it Estimates

On each of the other computers, go to map network drive and set a network drive like H: (if its used, do a higher letter) and link it to Estimates. You will probably need the computer name and a user/pass to access the computer so it would be something like this:


H: <-- Select this or another letter from the drop down list of letters
\\comp1\Estimates
(Check mark the remember user/pass)
enter username and pass

I dont know how the software works though, so if it allows you to just select a place to open/save to/from, then you just use H: for the location.

OK I will try this, thank you

I have 1 question - in this program there are also templates we've created to use to create estimates from, which are in separate directories. Do I repeat the above for each directory we want to share?

Thanks again

yep, you would just have your employees know that estimates are stored and saved in H: (or whatever) and the templates are in I: (or whatever) I dont know about multiple directories linked to one drive letter. you might be able to set up each individual directory as a folder or shortcut from I:

ok - thanks for the response.

Hi. Ok after looking into the program further, I find that it inistalls a .ini file in C:Windows/, & it has the following information in it:
----------------------------------------

[HT Databases]
HDN=EG:\HomeTech Applications\Advantage 50\Costbooks
RemindMe=00/00/00
LastMsgViewed=
Serial=XXXXXXX
Version=5.0.0
MultiUser=XXXX
KeyCode=XXXXXXXXXX
HTR=*C:\HomeTech Applications\Advantage 50\Costbooks
HTH=EC:\HomeTech Applications\Advantage 50\Costbooks
BTH=EC:\HomeTech Applications\Advantage 50\Costbooks
HND=EC:\HomeTech Applications\Advantage 50\Costbooks
[Client Network]
ClientData=C:\HomeTech Applications\Advantage 50\
[HT Configuration]
EstimateDir=C:\HomeTech Applications\Advantage 50\
HomeDir=C:\HomeTech Applications\Advantage 50\

----------------------------------------
I think this has the program auto select the location when a user opens or saves an estimate or template. Do I just change the paths to reflect the new mapped location? And if so do I leave the other digits in the paths above the same or change? (i.e. HTR=*C:, HTH=EC:, etc.)

Not sure what it will need. I have not seen the code set up like that. Is there a way to contact the software provider to see if you can get a technical support answer for this. since it is an .ini file, it would make sense that they expect or have designed it so users can change the values. I would ask the software provider for an exact answer.

If this is a test environment that can be re-installed easily for testing, you could always save a backup of the current .ini file. Then make the changes as you would expect and see if it points to the folder appropriately. If it doesn't work then just repair it with the backup.