(Note: this discussion refers to TimeTabler, but the same is true for our other software: Options & StaffCover)
How many copies can I install ?:
The TimeTabler Licence allows you to install two (or more) copies of TimeTabler on different computers ... for example, many of our users install one at school and one at home. However, both/all copies must be for the use of the registered school only. For more details on how the licence works, please click here for more information.
Can I install on a network ?
Can 2 people work on the data at the same time (multi-user) ?:
You can install on a network but the programs are not multi-user, as it doesn't make logical sense from a timetable-viewpoint to have two people trying to schedule simultaneously ...the timetable would have to be in two universes at the same time! Otherwise you might find one User trying to schedule class 7A on Monday-1 for Maths while another User is trying to schedule that class/period with History, etc., ...and of course each single placement on a schedule then has a knock-on effect on every other item yet to be placed, so the sequence of placements is important. This is equally true of all timetabling software. So only one user at a time (you could have a team of users, who could access the software from different machines if they wish, but only one machine at a time). [See also "Network" and "working in a timetabling team" below].
We do have schools that use TimeTabler over a network, but they must put both the program and the data on the server. We say this because TimeTabler expects to find all its data in the sub-folder named 'Data' which is in the folder where the EXE file is installed (by default this is at C:\TT4Win, but you can change this during installation). And this 'Data' folder must have both read & write permissions.
If one person is actually working on the timetable, but others would like to see how far the timetable has proceeded, then you can achieve this without installing on a network. For sending out draft versions etc (for viewing or consultation by colleagues), then as well as paper printouts, you can also use the Export button in TimeTabler to get HTML versions of the timetables, to post on your website or to attach to emails ... so the receiver doesn't need TimeTabler to view them, just their usual browser.
You can also create Excel versions of your timetables, or PDF versions, and many other reports.
The licence works similarly for our other programs, such as Options (by default this is installed at C:\OPTWin) ... and StaffCover (by default this is installed at C:\Cover). Click here for more on using Options with a team.
If you have any questions about this, let us know.
Below is some related information that you may find useful:
a The installation file is a single file called Setup.EXE.
b You can install TimeTabler wherever you want on the server (eg: “Myserver\TT4Win”), just by changing the default installation folder when you reach the 'Destination Folder' step of the installation ... so long as the user:
a) Can run the program (Myserver\TT4Win\TT4W.exe), and
b) Has read/write/create permission for that folder (Myserver\TT4Win) and all its subfolders.
Future updates to the software will need to be installed to the same folder “Myserver\TT4Win”.
c Note that if you install to a folder other than the default of “C:\TT4Win”, then whenever you come to install an update, the installation process will suggest “C:\TT4Win” as the default destination folder, so you will need to change it each time.
d To synchronise 2 computers (eg. at home and at school, or when installing the software on a new machine), so that 2 copies of the program have exactly the same data, in exactly the same state, then:
1--Use File -> TT-Backup on the 1st/old machine, and save the data on a 'memorystick' or Dropbox etc.
See here for more about using Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.
and then
2--Use File ->TT-Restore on the 2nd/new machine, to load in the data (including the registration/licence file).
See also HelpMovie 10.
e Note: you should only need to use Backup/Restore if you are using 2 different computers at different times, and so actually moving the data from one computer to another. If you are logging-in to the same computer as you always use, only remotely, then you don’t need to Backup/Restore. (But you do need to make sure only one person is logged-in and using TimeTabler at any given time).
For how to install an upgrade on a second computer, click here .
f For information on how to set up dual monitors for TimeTabler [a very helpful thing to do], please search this KnowledgeBase for "monitor" and follow the details in that article. Some schools even use 3 monitors.
g Multi-user network : occasionally one of our schools claim that they have successfully had 2 people working on TimeTabler on a network at the same time, as "multi-User". We do not think this is a safe way to write a timetable. It is not logically possible, for any timetabling program, as explained by the Maths/History example above. Please don't try this in case you end up with an invalid timetable.
We ask that you only have ONE person interacting with the program at any time. But if you have a timetabling team, then please click on the links below for further discussion.
h Terminal Server : we have schools who link to our software via a Terminal Server, but some report that they needed to create a network drive which links to the terminal server, for everything to work as expected.
i Virtual Machine (VM) : we have schools who have installed Timetabler on a virtual machine (for eg: running the 64-bit version of Server 2012 R2). The user then accesses the program via a shortcut that points to a shared drive. All relevant folders/files are granted ‘modify/execute/read/write’ permissions for his/her user account.
Notes:
For a discussion on "working in a timetabling team", click here.
For a discussion on "using Options with a team", click here.
See also how do I transfer data to home ?
By the TimeTabler Team