'Multi-Access' and 'Multi-User'
We find that occasionally confusion can arise between these two terms - and some third-party HelpDesks may confuse/conflate them.
The first is easily possible; the second is logically impossible for quality scheduling.
'Multi-Access' - there are 2 scenarios
Scenario 1: refers to 2 or more Timetablers, each running their own copy of the software, and each being able to access the latest/current version of the timetable data.
The Licence for TimeTabler (and for Options, and for StaffCover) allows you to install as many copies of the software as you wish, on different computers/laptops, including at home.
Clearly it is vital that these copies should be able to access the same data. This can be easily done in different ways, including :
-- Transferring data between machines on a memory-stick;
-- Transferring data via a Cloud-storage system such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, etc., with common access;
-- Storing the data (and software) on a school network with common access.
Other articles in this 24/7 KnowledgeBase explain how to do each of these. For example:
Installing on a network
Backing-up to a Memory-stick, Dropbox, etc
Scenario 2: refers to 2 or more Timetablers, each running the same copy of the software, on a network. Each is able to access the same software & data, from different locations, at different times.
'Multi-User' refers to 2 or more timetablers running the same software with the same data at the same time, to do different things.
This is not feasible during scheduling - if you try you are much less likely to achieve a quality timetable with no clashes.
In a nutshell, if Timetabler A were to be making an assignment at the same time that Timetabler B was making an assignment that involved a linked Teacher/Class/Room (linked perhaps by a FIT 'musical-chairs' move, or by Teacher Pools, etc) then the result could lead to an indeterminate result, unnecessary clashes or a lower quality timetable (which would then be less good for your staff and students).
Remember : unlike some other timetabling software, TimeTabler ensures that your timetable never has any clashes; so your timetable is guaranteed to always work.
So two timetablers can work on the same timetable, but not making different decisions at the same time.
Note:
The same advice applies for our other software: Options and StaffCover.
Further Reading:
Further advice on 'Working in a Team' and 'Cloud computing' is provided in other articles in this 24/7 KnowledgeBase. See:
Working in a timetabling team
Installing / running on a network
Cloud computing
Centralised or Shared timetabling
Installing to the Cloud
By the TimeTabler Team