Upgrading OfficeMate/ExamWRITER for Existing Users

This page is intended to walk you through the following situations:

  • Upgrading OfficeMate/ExamWRITER from version 12 to version 15 on your existing server and workstations.
  • Installing OfficeMate/ExamWRITER 15 after migrating your OfficeMate data to a new server. Refer to Migrating to a New OfficeMate Server first.

If you're looking for information on updating your OfficeMate/ExamWRITER 14 or later software in place, go to Updating OfficeMate/ExamWRITER 15 with Autoupdate

The topics below outline the stages of the upgrade process. Click the headings to see step-by-step instructions for each stage.

The server and workstation hardware requirements have changed between version 12 and version 15. Carefully review the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER System Requirements to determine whether you need to upgrade your hardware prior to upgrading your software. If you require a new server, go to Migrating to a New OfficeMate Server first.

Before upgrading to OfficeMate/ExamWRITER 15, complete the check list below to ensure that you meet all necessary requirements.

Completed Task

Review the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER System Requirements and ensure that your server and workstations meet or exceed the specifications.

Pay particular attention to the Windows, Windows Server, and SQL Server requirements. Versions not listed in the system requirements are not supported. Upgrading Windows, Windows Server, or SQL Server may require new hardware.

If SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), is installed on your server, upgrade to SSMS version 18.1. SSMS 18.1 will work with any supported version of SQL Server.

When you upgrade to OfficeMate/ExamWRITER 15, SSMS 18.1 is also installed on your server. However, the installer will not upgrade earlier versions of SSMS. If you have an earlier version of SSMS installed, you must upgrade SSMS manually.

Ensure that

  • you have the latest Microsoft Windows updates and security patches installed on your server and each workstation;
  • your Windows security settings are properly applied; and
  • you have restarted your server after applying the updates.

For information on Windows security settings, read this knowledge base article.

Ensure that you are using Microsoft SQL Server 2016 or 2017. For information on upgrading your Microsoft SQL Server, read this knowledge base article.

Disable all antivirus programs running on your server and turn firewalls off prior to installing or upgrading on your server and workstations. Turn these security features back on after completing the upgrade or installation process. Ask your IT staff to review the network requirements for a list of default ports.

If you are upgrading OfficeMate/ExamWRITER in a Remote Desktop Services environment, review Upgrading on a Terminal Server.
  1. Create a folder called OfficeMate Updates on your network where it can be accessed by all of the workstations that run or will run the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER programs.
  2. Go to eyefinityofficemate.com/OM15.
  3. Sign up to download OfficeMate/ExamWRITER 15 and click Submit.

    A web page appears and displays the download links.

  4. Download and save the installation files.
  5. Copy the OfficeMate Server installation file from the network to the server.
  6. Copy the OfficeMate Suite installation file from the network to each workstation.

    Eyefinity strongly advises you to run the installation files from a local disk on each computer. Running the installation files directly from the network on multiple computers simultaneously may result in errors.

OfficeMate Server needs to be installed only on a server and should not be installed on any other computer in the practice.

  1. Restart the server or install any pending Windows updates and restart the server.
  2. If you are installing OfficeMate Server in a networked environment, ensure that you are logged into the network or terminal server as a user with full local administrative access rights.
  3. Navigate to the OfficeMate Updates folder on your local hard drive. If your download folder has a different name, navigate to that folder.
  4. Double-click the OfficeMate_Server.exe file that you downloaded in Downloading OfficeMate/ExamWRITER.

    The OfficeMate Server Install wizard opens, verifies that your server meets the hardware and system requirements, and checks for any updates.

    A to-do list for the server installation appears. It includes a link to the server system requirements documentation.

  5. Verify that you've completed all the tasks in the to-do list, and then click OK.

  6. Select or confirm the location where you want to install the OfficeMate server program and the OfficeMate shared data folder and click Next.

    The default location for the OfficeMate server program is C:\OfficeMate. If you want to designate a different location, click Browse, navigate to the folder on the server, and click OK.

  7. If the "OfficeMate/ExamWRITER is in use" message appears, follow the instructions on the screen, and then click OK.

  8. Select or confirm the location of the SQL server and click Next:
    • Local. Select this option if this is a new installation and you do not already have SQL Server installed on this server.
    • Dedicated SQL Server. Select this option if you are upgrading OfficeMate/ExamWRITER or if you already have SQL Server installed on another server.
      • To determine the name and instance of your SQL Server, open OfficeMate on a workstation, click Help, and select About OfficeMate. The SQL Server name is the first part of the server path (for example, if the server path is ServerName\OMSQL, ServerName is the server’s name).
      • To determine your SQL database instance name, open OfficeMate on a workstation, click Help, and select About OfficeMate. The database instance name is listed.
      • If you want to back up your database prior to installing OfficeMate Server, select the Back Up Database check box (recommended).
  9. Review the locations of the OfficeMate Server installation folder, OfficeMate shared data folder, and the SQL Server and database instance name, and click Install.
  10. When the installation is complete, click Close. If a Restart button is available, click Restart.
  11. After OfficeMate Server is installed, continue by installing the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER programs on your server and workstations.

    The OfficeMate/ExamWRITER programs are not required to be installed on a dedicated server, but it is recommended. Install the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER programs on the server if you plan to also use the server as a workstation and to aid in troubleshooting potential issues in the future.

You must install the OfficeMate Server prior to installing the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER programs. For more information, go to Installing the OfficeMate Server.

The OfficeMate/ExamWRITER programs are not required to be installed on a dedicated server, but it is recommended. Install the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER programs on the server if you plan to also use the server as a workstation and to aid in troubleshooting potential issues in the future.

You can install theOfficeMate/ExamWRITER programs on multiple computers simultaneously.

If you haven't done so already, copy the installation files from your network to a local drive on each computer. It is not recommended that you run the installation off the network. This does not apply to users who run OfficeMate/ExamWRITER through Terminal Server.

  1. Close all applications on all computers and restart each computer.
  2. If you're installing the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER programs in a networked environment, ensure that you're logged into the network or terminal server as a user with full local administrative access rights.
  3. Navigate to your OfficeMate Updates folder. If your download folder has a different name, navigate to that folder.
  4. Double-click the OfficeMate_Suite.exe file that you downloaded in Downloading OfficeMate/ExamWRITER.

    The OfficeMate/ExamWRITERInstall wizard opens, verifies that your computer meets the hardware and system requirements, and checks for any updates. If a new update was released since you downloaded the installation files, the installer asks you if you want to update now.

  5. If prompted, click Update Now to download the update.

    Although Eyefinity strongly recommends that you download and install each new update, if you do not want to upgrade now, click Cancel and then click Yes to confirm that you want to cancel the installation.

  6. Select or confirm the location where you want to install the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER programs and the network location of the OfficeMate shared data folder on the server and click Next.
  7. Confirm or type your SQL Server name and database instance name in the Server and Database text boxes, and click Next.
  8. Select the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER components that you want to install and click Next.
  9. Review the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER installation location and components and click Install.

    The OfficeMate/ExamWRITER Install wizard installs the installation packages. Depending on the components that you are installing and the speed of your computers, the installation time will vary.

  10. When the installation is complete, click Close. If a Restart button is available, click Restart.
  11. Set the access privileges for folders that users will need to access:
    1. Assign the Everyone group Full Control (Share) permissions to the appropriate DATA directory:
      • Drive:\OfficeMate\DATA
    2. On each workstation, assign the local or domain users List & Execute, Read, and Write (NTFS) permissions to the following directories:
      • Drive:\OfficeMate\DATA
      • Drive:\Program Files\3D-Eye Draw
      • C:\ProgramData\Eyefinity\OfficeMate\Settings\Omate32.ini
    3. On each workstation, assign the local or domain users Modify, List & Execute, Read, and Write (NTFS) permissions to the following directory:
      • Drive:\OfficeMate\DATA
  1. Open OfficeMate or ExamWRITER using one of the following methods:
    • Double-click the OfficeMate or ExamWRITER icon on your desktop.
    • Click Start, select Programs, select OfficeMate Software Solutions, and select OfficeMate or ExamWRITER.
    • Click the magnifying glass icon in the Windows taskbar and search for OfficeMate or ExamWRITER.

    The login window opens.

  2. If you are logging in for the first time:
    1. Type admin in the User ID field and leave the Password field blank.
    2. Click OK.

      OfficeMate/ExamWRITER prompts you to change your password.

    3. Leave the Old Password field blank.
    4. Type your new password in the New Password field and again in the Confirm New Password field.
    5. Click OK.
    6. Select Administration from the list of OfficeMate applications and click OK.
    7. Begin by setting up resources (providers and staff) and security. For more information about setting up resources and security, go to Setting Up.

If you integrate ExamWRITER with diagnostic equipment, you must install the Eyefinity Equipment Interface on all computers where equipment interfaces will be used. You only need to install the Eyefinity Equipment Interface on all computers once; after it is installed, it is automatically updated, when necessary, to ensure that you can always integrate with the latest equipment with which ExamWRITER interacts.

  1. Ensure that ExamWRITER is open.
  2. Click Tools, select Equipment Integration Setup, and select Install Equipment Interface.

    The Equipment Integration Setup checks for recent updates.

  3. If prompted, click Update Now to download and install the update; otherwise, go to step 4.
  4. Click Next to install to the default local disk drive or click Browse to navigate to the folder where you want to install the Eyefinity Equipment Interface and then click Next.The default install folder is C:\EHR_EI.
  5. Review the installation location and click Install.

    The Eyefinity Equipment Interface is installed.

  6. After the Eyefinity Equipment Interface is successfully installed, select the Launch Setup checkbox to begin setting up the interface or click Close.

    For help on setting up the interface, see Connecting to Diagnostic Equipment.

  7. Repeat these steps on each computer where equipment interfaces will be used.