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FAQ's or frequently asked
questions about PORTFOLIO:
Common implementations of PORTFOLIO in your office:
PORTFOLIO is intended to be networked within your office allowing all project staff use of all the PORTFOLIO files. You will use PORTFOLIO to store and retrieve project documents for all your active projects. All projects then are stored within one single copy of PORTFOLIO. Most PORTFOLIO clients who plan to intensively use the files for more than 6 users, will load the files onto a FileMaker Pro Server (FMPS). FileMaker Inc. offers this client/server architecture to speed up network performance and to offer more sophisticated administration functions. The current version of FMPS is 5.5. The FMPS software requires a dedicated machine (WinXP/NT or MAC) on your network whose sole activity is serving the database file to the office. Small offices or sole practitioners can use the FileMaker pro client software bundled with PORTFOLIO Prime. Small offices which are networked can allow multiple users to share the PORTFOLIO files using either TCP/IP, IPX or Appleshare protocols in a peer-to-peer model. Depending on network performance, the first user who opens the PORTFOLIO files will become the "host" and subsequent users will cause the hosts machine to suffer some performance slow downs. Arch Street Software offers bound client software in the sole practitioner price. This version does not require the additional purchase of FileMaker Pro software. Currently, FMP 6.0 is required to run all PORTFOLIO functions. If you are interested in purchasing PORTFOLIO, please contact ARCH STREET for a proposal. We will need to know the size of your office and a general understanding of your network architecture to help you determine which license suits your need best. PORTFOLIO forms and logs will include your logo. All printing forms will print your logo (except for letters which are intended to be printed on your letterhead). Along with your payment, you plan to supply us with a digital copy of your logo. Your logo will appear on each printing form. For most printers, supply us with a logo in either JPEG, PICT or TIFF format. If you want the best quality logo printing and have post script compatible printers, supply an EPS formatted graphic. When you purchase PORTFOLIO you will download the software for windows or mac and a PDF version of the full color QuickSTART User's Manual. Part of the set-up fee includes an installation phone call to our tech support. Please plan on calling us, we want to make sure you get started with minimum disruption. In addition, the price of PORTFOLIO includes incorporating your firm's logo. Training, customization and data acquisition is charged hourly for services requested by you. We also offer alternative services including dial-up and on-site consultation. Arch Street can also put you in touch with 3rd party developers in your area who can provide on-site assistance. FileMaker Pro is an aware winning commercial database application published by FileMaker Inc. FileMaker is a cross platform application supporting both WinXP/NT/2k and Mac simultaneously. Over a network workgroups can share PORTFOLIO over your network or the internet if you have a dedicated server with an assigned IP address. Using the FileMaker Pro server application up to 250 users can share and access data at the same time. FileMaker, Inc. has sold over 4 million copies of FileMaker Pro. FileMaker is the number one selling stand alone database product for the windows market. PORTFOLIO runs on top of FileMaker Pro as an application would run on an operating system. With over 28,000 lines of additional code running over 450 layouts, the PORTFOLIO system builds a powerful and easy to use document management system specifically designed for Architects, building designers and engineers. The most current version of PORTFOLIO is G7.55. Registered users of any version of PORTFOLIO qualify for substantial discounts when upgrading to the most current version. See the user support page for more information
You can remotely connect to any PORTFOLIO file housed in your office a number of ways.
INTERNET and INTRANET: USING the built-in TCP/IP protocol, your office staff can access any computer assigned an IP address directly from any internet connection if that computer has a live internet connection. Project staff at home or at another location can manually enter the specific IP address and connect to any open files on the host machine. Alternatively, using FileMaker Pro's web companion or other 3rd party CGI's, you can build specific tables or queries to any PORTFOLIO database and view the data thru any web browser.
DIAL-IN: Your office staff can dial into your network to enter or retrieve project data. It will operate exactly as if you were in your office [broadband access recommended]. You can also use Microsoft networking or any remote access protocol, you can set access privileges for your staff. To access the PORTFOLIO files, you do not need to set privileges to access any particular network volume, FileMaker Pro can access any open FileMaker file on that network. Using desktop shortcuts on WinXP or WinNT to network hard drives is not recommended by FileMaker Inc. It causes network slowdowns and can corrupt files. Apparently it causes each workstation to continually maintain some sort of connection with the host even if the files are not open. Using the <HOST> button from the OPEN dialog box is the recommended method to open files on remote network volumes.
If you were looking for some information not included on this page, please email us and we would be happy to help. ARCH STREET SOFTWARE P O BOX 13126, OAKLAND CA 94661 TEL: (510) 339-1908
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