Client/Server Version

Benefits of Client/Server

In the typical network environment the server acts as an Input / Output system. The workstation receives the files (databases and indexes) and performs functions on the files. If for any reason the workstation is frozen or rebooted, the files may not be updated properly and corruption occurs.

In a Client/Server environment, the server controls the databases and indexes. The server searches and updates the files, while the workstation only instructs the server as to what operations should be performed. Due to this arrangement, it is next to impossible for an individual work station to corrupt a file.

A Client/Server environment also improves WAN performance since less information must travel across the network bridge. In addition, general performance is easier to address since the most dramatic improvements will be gained by upgrading the server hardware rather than each individual workstation.


How We Did It

To provide our users with the benefits of a Client/Server environment and still keep our price reasonable, we chose the Advantage Database Server. The Advantage Database Server is a NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) which acts as a database server for the xBase database files which are used by the A.M.I. system. In comparison to SQL based Client/Server systems A.M.I. with Advantage Database Server is a very cost effective solution.


Will it run faster?
Assuming you change nothing else on your network, the biggest increase in speed will be noticeable when running reports. There is a dramatic increase in speed of the major reports in our system in the Client/Server environment. As far as operational speed, i.e. order entry, the speed is roughly the same.


Will we need retraining on this version ?
The look and feel of the A.M.I. system has remained the same. It is only the back-end, the part of the system that manipulates the databases and indexes, that has changed.


Installation

Installation of this new version requires two steps. First, the NLM must be loaded on the file server - this takes a few minutes. Second, the A.M.I. software must be upgraded - this takes as long as a traditional A.M.I. upgrade.


Pricing

See Price Sheet.