What are the restrictions in the evaluation version?

The evaluation version can be operated for 90 days up to the transaction limit indicated below. If the transaction limit is reached prior to completing the evaluation, a trial activation code can be requested to continue the evaluation.

The evaluation version can be activated by purchasing the Basic Edition, registering the product, and receiving an activation code. Alternatively, the Full Edition, which includes the source code in the front-end database, can be purchased to replace the evaluation copy. The transaction limits in the evaluation version are summarized below.

Customer Orders – 50 records
Purchase Orders – 50 records
Shop Orders – 50 records
Items – 50 records
Product Configurations - 50 records
Customers – 20 records
Vendors - 20 records

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What is the difference between the Basic and Full Editions?

The Basic Edition includes most of the functionality found in the Full Edition except as noted in the chart below. Both the Basic and Full Editions include optional accounting interfaces to Peachtree Accounting® and QuickBooks®. In general, the front-end database in the Full Edition includes the source code and allows customization of the queries, reports, forms, macros and modules. The front-end database in the Basic Edition does not include the source code and cannot be modified. In addition, the Basic Edition is not available with the SQL Server® back-end database.

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Which back-end database option should I use - Microsoft Access® or SQL Server®?

Catalyst Manufacturing® can be used with either a Microsoft Access® or SQL Server® back-end database. A Microsoft Access® database is typically adequate for companies with less than 10 concurrent users and has advantages in terms of cost and ease of use. As the number of users and data storage requirements increase, however, SQL Server® provides several advantages as a back-end database including the ability to:

•  Store more data

  •  in the range of terabytes instead of the 2 gigabyte limit for Access.

•  Support more concurrent users

  • Access theoretically supports up to 255 users, but performance degradation tends to impose a practical limit of 10-15 simultaneous users. In addition, an Access database can become damaged if either the client or server computer (or the network connection) fails during a transaction.

•  Provide dynamic backups and automatic recoveries in case of failure

  • SQL Server logs transactions so that updates made within a transaction can always be recovered or rolled back to the last consistent state if either the client or the server computer fails. The transactions in Access database files are not managed by a separate transaction log and can fail without recovery if the database file becomes damaged.[1]

•  Enhance user-level security

  • SQL Server supports Windows NT® security accounts to authenticate users that log on to a database. Unlike security for Access databases, if users have already logged on to a Windows NT network, the existing Windows NT security groups and accounts can be used to define permissions in the back-end database.[1]

[1] Roberts, Mark; Chapter 1: Understanding Microsoft Access 2000 Client/Server Development; Mark Roberts, Microsoft Corporation; February 2000

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What is the product registration and activation process?

The Basic Edition can be activated directly from the evaluation version downloaded from the Catalyst web site. The Catalyst Manufacturing® Evaluation Version has restrictions on the maximum number of records of certain key tables and is limited to a 90-day trial period. To activate the Basic Edition, follow the steps below.

1. Download and install the Catalyst Manufacturing evaluation version on a client machine. For installation instructions, please refer to the Installation help topic.
2. Move the Catalyst back-end database files from the Catalyst folder on the client machine to the network server machine. The Microsoft Access® back-end database files have a mdb file extension and include the “_be” reference in the file name. The SQL Server® database files have a mdf file extension and are matched with database log files having a ldf file extension. Note: There are two back-end databases included with the standard Catalyst installation – one with sample data that includes ‘StoreMore’ in the file name and an empty database without sample data. The empty back-end database is provided for you to populate your company data. The sample database is provided for evaluation purposes only.
3. From the Catalyst main menu, choose the Select Company option under the File menu. In this step you will link to the empty back-end database so it can be registered with your company information. The instructions vary slightly depending on whether you are connecting to a Microsoft Access® or SQL Server® database. For more details, refer to the Select Company help topic.
4. After linking to the empty Catalyst back-end database, the Catalyst Product Registration Wizard opens to walk you through the process of registering your back-end database. The registration information is needed to create your product activation code. The product activation code for your site license will only be valid on the computer it resides on at the time of registration. If the back-end database is moved to another machine, you will need to submit an updated product registration and request a new product activation code.
5. If the Catalyst Registration Wizard is not open, launch it by selecting Help > Product Registration. Follow the steps in the registration wizard to submit your registration information by email, fax, or the internet.
6. In a short period of time, usually within one business day, you will receive a product activation code which can be entered into the Catalyst Registration Wizard the next time you open Catalyst. The product only needs to be activated from one client machine – it will be valid for all other clients that are linked to the same back-end database.

The Full Edition must be obtained from either the Catalyst Manufacturing web site or an authorized reseller and activated within thirty (30) days of installation. To activate the Full Edition, install on a client machine and activate by following steps 2 through 6 above.

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My activation code is no longer valid? How can I request a new activation code?

Catalyst Manufacturing is licensed to a business entity for a single registered server machine. An activation code is issued to a company based on their product registration for the server on which the back-end database resides. If the back-end database is moved to a different server or if the network configuration changes on the existing server, the existing activation code will no longer be valid. To request a replacement activation code, submit a new product registration using the Registration Wizard (Help > Product Registration). A replacement activation code will be issued to the licensed entity. To expedite a replacement request, please follow-up with an email to Catalyst Manufacturing support.

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How can I request an additional activation code for a backup server?

An activation code is valid on only the registered server machine. Additional fees apply for activation codes needed on a backup server or to operate on more than one server at the same time. In addition, a new license is required to operate separate back-end databases independently at more than one site location.

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