Migrating to a New OfficeMate Server

This page outlines the major steps required to migrate your OfficeMate database to new server hardware. Once you have completed the steps on this page, refer to Upgrading OfficeMate/ExamWRITER for Existing Users to install the OfficeMate Server software.

Your practice's data is valuable to you and critical to the success of your practice. Employ certified operating system and networking technicians to install and manage your computer systems. You should seek a technician with experience managing SQL databases to complete the tasks on this page.

This page includes the following information:

Migrating a Server Running OfficeMate Version 12

Migrating an OfficeMate server environment to a new server is a three-stage process.

There are two components that you must consider replicating when you migrate to a new server:

Refer to the following topics for more detailed discussion about these considerations.

Replicating the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER Version

You must install the same version of OfficeMate/ExamWRITER on the current and new server. Here's the easiest way to ensure both servers are running the same version:

  1. Install the latest version 12 server, programs, and service pack on the current production server. Install these items in the following order:
    1. Install OfficeMate Server 12.0.2.
    2. Install OfficeMate/ExamWRITER 12.0.2.
    3. Install Service Pack 12.
  2. Install the latest version 12 server, programs, and service pack on the new server. Use the same links as Step 1.

Migrating from a Server Running SQL Server 2008 R2 Express

If the current production server is running SQL Server 2008 R2 Express, perform the following steps:

  1. Replicate the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER version as described above.
  2. Back up the OfficeMate database and AuditLog database on the current production server.
  3. Restore the database backups on the new server, overwriting the databases that were created during the OfficeMate Server install. For more information about migrating the database, refer to this knowledge base article.
  4. Copy the shared DATA folder from the current production server and overwrite the DATA folder that was created during the OfficeMate Server install.
  5. Enable Sharing on the DATA folder for all local Windows users.

Migrating from a Server Running SQL Server Later Than 2008 R2 Express

If the current production server is running SQL Server version later than 2008 R2 Express, perform the following steps:

  1. Replicate the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER version as described above.
  2. Using your SQL Server installation media, upgrade the SQL instance that was installed by the OfficeMate Server install to the SQL Server edition and version that is running on the current production server.
  3. Back up the OfficeMate database and AuditLog database on the current production server.
  4. Restore the database backups on the new server, overwriting the databases that were created during the OfficeMate Server install. For more information about migrating the database, refer to this knowledge base article.
  5. Copy the shared DATA folder from the current production server and overwrite the DATA folder that was created during the OfficeMate Server install.
  6. Enable Sharing on the DATA folder for all local Windows users.

Once the OfficeMate environment has been moved to the new server, test OfficeMate functionality before proceeding to Stage 3. You can do this by installing OfficeMate/ExamWRITER on the new server.

Make the final cut-over of production data and configure the clients to connect. Once OfficeMate functionality has been tested on the new server, the final move of the production data can be scheduled. Bear in mind that OfficeMate users will have to cease OfficeMate usage during the final cut-over.

  1. Back up the OfficeMate database and AuditLog database on the current production server. If no new data has been entered you can use the same backups from Stage 1
  2. Restore the database backups on the new server, overwriting the databases that were created in Stage 1.
  3. Copy the shared DATA folder from the current production server and overwrite the DATA folder that was created in Stage 1.
  4. Enable Sharing on the DATA folder for all local Windows users.
  5. On each of the client workstations, update the drive mapping to the DATA folder:
    1. Disconnect the mapped drive that pointed to the old server.
    2. Create a new mapped drive to the newly shared DATA folder on the new server (use the same drive letter that was used before.)
  6. Edit the Omate32.ini file (located in C:\Windows) on all client machines to point to the new server. Edit the following lines:
    DataDir=mapped drive or UNC path to shared DATA folder on new server
    [ADOConnection] ConnectThru=MSDE
    Databasename=Database name on new server
    DataSource=NEWSQLSERVERNAME\SQLINSTANCENAME
    [Auditing]
    ConnectionString=Data Source=NEWSQLSERVERNAME\SQLINSTANCENAME;Initial Catalog=AuditLog;User Id=audit;Password=audit;Connect Timeout=300
  7. Test OfficeMate to confirm that it opens and operates correctly. Repeat this on all client machines and test each before completing the migration.

Migrating a Server Running OfficeMate Version 15

Migrating an OfficeMate server environment to a new server is a three-stage process.

There are two components that you must consider replicating when you migrate to a new server:

Refer to the following topics for more detailed discussion about these considerations.

Replicating the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER Version

You must install the same version of OfficeMate/ExamWRITER on the current and new server. Here's the easiest way to ensure both servers are running the same version:

  1. Upgrade to the latest version 15 server and programs on the current production server. For more information, go to Updating OfficeMate/ExamWRITER 15 with Autoupdate.
  2. Install the latest version 15 server and programs on the new server. For more information, go to Upgrading OfficeMate/ExamWRITER for Existing Users.

Migrating from a Server Running SQL Server 2014 Express

If the current production server is running SQL Server 2014 Express, perform the following steps:

  1. Replicate the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER version as described above.
  2. Back up the OfficeMate database and AuditLog database on the current production server.
  3. Restore the database backups on the new server, overwriting the databases that were created during the OfficeMate Server install. For more information about migrating the database, refer to this knowledge base article.
  4. Copy the shared DATA folder from the current production server and overwrite the DATA folder that was created during the OfficeMate Server install on the new server.
  5. Enable sharing on the DATA folder for all local Windows users.

Migrating from a Server Running SQL Server Later Than 2014 Express

If the current production server is running SQL Server version later than 2014 Express, perform the following steps:

  1. Replicate the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER version as described above.
  2. Using your SQL Server installation media, upgrade the SQL instance installed by the OfficeMate Server installer (OMSQL) to the SQL Server edition and version that is running on the current production server.
  3. Back up the OfficeMate database and AuditLog database on the current production server.
  4. Restore the database backups on the new server, overwriting the databases that were created during the OfficeMate Server install. For more information about migrating the database, refer to this knowledge base article.
  5. Copy the shared DATA folder from the production server and overwrite the DATA folder that was created during the OfficeMate Server install.
  6. Enable Sharing on the DATA folder for all local Windows users.

Migrating from a Server Running a SQL Server Standard Edition

If the current production server is running any SQL Server Standard Edition, perform the following steps:

  1. Replicate the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER version as described above.
  2. Using your SQL Server installation media, upgrade the SQL instance installed by the OfficeMate Server installer (OMSQL) to the SQL Server edition and version that is running on the current production server.
  3. Back up the OfficeMate database and AuditLog database on the current production server.
  4. Restore the database backups on the new server, overwriting the databases that were created during the OfficeMate Server install. For more information about migrating the database, refer to this knowledge base article.
  5. Copy the shared DATA folder from the production server and overwrite the DATA folder that was created during the OfficeMate Server install.
  6. Enable Sharing on the DATA folder for all local Windows users.

Once the OfficeMate environment has been moved to the new server, test OfficeMate functionality before proceeding to Stage 3. You can do this by installing OfficeMate/ExamWRITER on the new server.

Make the final cut-over of production data and configure the clients to connect. Once OfficeMate functionality has been tested on the new server, the final move of the production data can be scheduled. Bear in mind that OfficeMate users will have to cease OfficeMate usage during the final cut-over.

  1. Back up the OfficeMate database and AuditLog database on the current production server. If no new data has been entered you can use the same backups from Stage 1
  2. Restore the database backups on the new server, overwriting the databases that were created in Stage 1.
  3. Copy the shared DATA folder from the current production server and overwrite the DATA folder that was created in Stage 1.
  4. Enable Sharing on the DATA folder for all local Windows users.
  5. On each of the client workstations, update the drive mapping to the DATA folder:
    1. Disconnect the mapped drive that pointed to the old server.
    2. Create a new mapped drive to the newly shared DATA folder on the new server (use the same drive letter that was used before.)
  6. Edit the Omate32.ini file (located in C:\ProgramData\Eyefinity\OfficeMate\Settings) on all client machines to point to the new server. Edit the following lines:
    DataDir=mapped drive or UNC path to shared DATA folder on new server
    [ADOConnection] ConnectThru=MSDE
    Databasename=Database name on new server
    DataSource=NEWSQLSERVERNAME\SQLINSTANCENAME
    [Auditing]
    ConnectionString=Data Source=NEWSQLSERVERNAME\SQLINSTANCENAME;Initial Catalog=AuditLog;User Id=audit;Password=audit;Connect Timeout=300
  7. Test OfficeMate to confirm that it opens and operates correctly. Repeat this on all client machines and test each before completing the migration.