You may wish to print this page for whomever installs and configures your store network.

Networking our software allows you to run more than one computer in your shop but share the SAME database.  With networking, both computers have immediate access to the same information.  So, for example, if you enter an item on one computer, you can immediately access it on the other - or vice-versa.  Some of our larger shops network up to five computers in their store.  The correct number of computers depends on the size of your store and how your workflow is arranged.

Networking ConsignPro is easy if you follow these simple steps.  We recommend against WIRELESS networks.  They simply are un-reliable and not a good choice for a business setting.  Your computer should be connected via networking cable.

We recommend all computers on your network be on the same version of Windows.  Our recommendation would be Windows XP or Windows XP Professional.

1. Buy or obtain the correct number of computers.  You will need one computer for each copy of the software you will be running.  ConsignPro must be physically installed on all computers that are on the network.  More info.
   
   
2. If you've never networked computers before, contact a local computer shop and ask for someone who can help you establish a "network" in your store.  The network is the wiring which connects the two computers together.  Visual Horizons Software does not setup networks or troubleshoot them if there are networking problems.  Establishing a good relationship with an experienced network professional is important.
   
   
3. The network that you establish can be a simple Windows "peer-to-peer" network or a configuration that requires network cards, routers, or hubs.  The networking experts will probably have a preferred configuration based on the number of computers, the distances involved, and their experience.  Any network configuration will work as long as the connected computers can reference the SERVER using a mapped drive letter.
   
   
4. When the physical wiring is completed, one PC should be designated as the SERVER or the "host" computer.  The SERVER will perform ConsignPro shutdown operations, do database backups, and usually print end-of-day reports.  It is usually the computer in the back of the store (i.e. not the POS computer) and the faster, more powerful computer (if applicable) but can be either.  Once you identify the SERVER computer, proceed to Step 5 and 6.
   
   
5. The SERVER computer needs to have the \ConsignPro folder shared.  To do this, go into the "My Computer" icon on the SERVER.  Double-click on your "C" drive.  Find and double-click on the "Program Files" folder.  Find and RIGHT-CLICK on the ConsignPro folder.  Click "Sharing and Security".  Click "Share this folder on the network".  The share name should be ConsignPro.  Check the box "Allow network users to change my files" and click OK.  Close all open windows.
   
   
6. Next we need the computer "name" of the SERVER.  On the SERVER, right click on "My Computer".  Click Properties.  Click the "Computer name" tab.  Write down the "Full computer name".  Capitalization, spacing, and punctuation are critical so record it perfectly.  Close those windows.  The SERVER is now ready to share the database file with the other connected computers.
   
   
7. Now, go to the GUEST computer (i.e. not the SERVER).  On the GUEST computer double-click the "My Computer" icon.  Up top, click Tools / Map network drive.  Write down the DRIVE LETTER (i.e. Z).  The letter you choose does not matter, as long as we know it for step 11.  In the Folder: box, type in two back-slashes \\ and then the SERVER computer name you recorded in step 6.  Then, a single back-slash \ and then "ConsignPro".  An example is "\\SERVERNAME\ConsignPro".   Check the "Reconnect at logon" box and click Finish.  If the networking was done correctly, this should show you a list of files on the screen, if not, trouble-shoot your network problem and repeat this step.
   
   
8. If running Windows NT, XP, XP Pro, or 2000 and have setup Windows logon ID's and passwords, make sure that all LOGIN id's have Administrator access (or at least have the ability to UPDATE the cp.ini file that exists in the \Windows folder).
   
   
9. Install ConsignPro onto every computer that will be part of the network.   Every computer should be on the same Version of ConsignPro.  Version information is in the TOP LEFT corner of the ConsignPro window.
   
   
10. Call us at (305) 535-0959 to unlock each networked copy of the software.  There is a charge of $295 (US) per networked copy of our software.  The SERVER copy of our software is priced separately ($995 for ConsignPro).
    
    
11. After each copy is paid for and unlocked, our tech support person will have you change the Database Path box on the "CustomizeCP" screen off of Maintain Store.  This step tells the software where to find the central database file (i.e. Z:).  During this step, you should also uncheck the "Process shutdown options" checkbox on all networked copies.   The instructions in this step DO NOT apply to the main or SERVER computer, only the networked workstations.