Protecting your FastTrack Database

Safeguarding your database from possible corruptions is of utmost importance.  Not taking the necessary steps to ensure you database is protected could result in unrecoverable information and potential loss of business.

The Database Maintenance Facility within FastTrack’s core products (SkillsBase & Recruitment Manager, Recruitment Payroll Manager and Integrated Ledger) can play a valuable part helping you to protect your database.

Once data is corrupted or lost, it can be very difficult and expensive to recover and there will be little anyone can do if insufficient contingencies are in place. The Database Maintenance Utility is designed to prevent such avoidable scenarios and can save you from the devastating effects of a corrupted database.

The Database Maintenance Utility comes with all FastTrack products and is located in the FastTrack Application folder named Dbmaint.exe.

Why back-up your database?

Backing up your database ensures that you are equipped to pre-empt disaster in the event of a corruption.  Your database forms the backbone of your business so it is essential that this information is protected from unforeseen system problems and errors which might occur.

How do I back up my database using the Database Maintenance Utility?

Firstly it is imperative that ALL users are logged out of all FastTrack products before running any repair or back ups.

1. Open the Dbmaint.exe
2. Go to the Backup tab in the Database Maintenance Utility
3. Select a back up directory (the database files will be stored here)
4. Select the Fragmentation and Compression types.  Leave the default settings as “No Fragmentation” and “High Compression". 
   
5. Check the boxes for the products to be backed up.  The default setting has all products checked. You can uncheck those products you do not want to back up however, it is advised that you back up all products. 
6. Click the ‘Back up’ button to start the process.  Once complete a message will then be displayed advising 'Database backup successfully completed'. 

As well as backing up your database using the Database Maintenance Utility, it is important to also run a repair on your database. This facility compacts the database and subsequently removes any corrupt data.  To run the repair, click on the ‘Repair Database’ tab in the Database Maintenance Utility then ‘Repair Database’.

Importantly, in the upcoming product release, Desktop v9.1, the Database Maintenance Utility will keep a record of the repair in the utility log file ensuring vital information is accessible if required.

For information regarding the FastTrack Database Maintenance Facility, please call FastTrack Client Services on 1300 130 716.