Setting up ABS over a Windows XP Network

1. Install the ABS software on the server with the following (or similar) tree structure. Folders in red must be named as shown - those in blue are suggested names and may be substituted with your designation:

*The \ABS\LOGS folder is only required for users of the Management Reporting System (MARS). See Setting up the Management Reporting System for more information.

2. Next, share the folder "Keystone". In Windows XP, this is accomplished by running Windows Explorer and highlighting the folder "Keystone". Position the mouse pointer to "Keystone" and click the right mouse button. Select "Sharing and Security" from the pop-up menu. Share the folder as "Keystone". For example:

Make sure the option "Allow network users to change my files" is selected. All ABS users must be allowed to read and write to all folders located under \ABS (if desired, you can specify the "TASK" folder to be "Read Only").

3. Next, go to the user’s computer and create a folder called \ABS\USER1 (“USER1” may be substituted with another name, such as the user’s initials). Double-click on the “Neighborhood Network” icon from the desktop, then double-click the server computer icon. Double-click on the folder called “Keystone”.

Click the "Map Drive" icon from the toolbar (depending on the desktop properties, this option many be listed under the "Tools" menu as "Map Network Drive"). The next available drive letter will automatically be displayed. You can select this drive letter or specify "K" as suggested. In the "Folder" field, enter the path to the server computer, including the "Keystone" folder. Make sure the field "Reconnect at logon" is checked. For example:

Click on “Finish” to complete the network mapping procedure.

NOTE: It is imperative that every ABS user have full network privileges in each \ABS folder (ABS\DATA, ABS\HELP, etc.). READ-only privileges can be specified for the \TASK folder. It is also imperative that each user run from their own unique user folder (i.e., \ABS\USER1). Users CANNOT share the same user folder.

Multiple shortcuts can be created on a user’s desktop to automatically launch specific ABS programs and/or functions. Refer to Bypassing the ABS Main Menu for details.

4. Edit the user’s PATH statement. This is accomplished by opening the Control Panel, double-clicking the “System” icon, and clicking the “Advanced” tab:

Click “Environment Variables” and the following dialog will appear:

Under “System Variables”, click Path, then click “Edit”. The following dialog will appear:

In the “Variable Value” field, position the cursor at the end of the existing path and add ;K:\TASK (substitute K for the drive where \TASK is located, if necessary).

5. Click “OK” to save the path. Click “OK” again to exit the System properties.

Based on the above configuration, the ABS.INI settings would be as follows:

Related Topics:

Refer to Creating the ABS.INI File for more information on the ABS.INI files.

Refer to Creating a Windows XP shortcut for instructions on creating a desktop icon for ABS.