What options do I have for sharing data between two or more computers?

If you need to use ChurchTrac on two or more computers, then there are two options. First, ChurchTrac can be configured to share a single data file between two or more computers over a local network. There is no added cost for sharing a data file over your existing network, however, this method of data sharing does have the following limitations:

• All your computers must be connected to the same local area network, hub, or router in order to access the data.
• The computer where the shared data file is located must always be powered on in order to be accessible by the other computers.
• The speed of the database through the network is slightly slower, and performance will decrease as more users simultaneously access ChurchTrac
• Laptops or mobile computers must be connected to the network in order to use ChurchTrac

For instructions on setting up your local network for sharing a single data file as described above, see this knowledgebase article.

If you need to access your data from remote (offsite) computers, or if you use laptop computers that are not always connected to the network, then ChurchTrac's built-in data sharing tool is what you need. ChurchTrac's built-in data sharing has the following strengths:

• Each computer can access and update ChurchTrac data, even if it is not connected to the internet or connected to the network
• The other computers that you share data with do not need to be powered on in order to access or update your information
• ChurchTrac's built-in data sharing includes free online data backups. It also provides data redundancy in the event of a computer crash (if one of your computers goes down, you don't loose your data).
• This method of data sharing also works with all your networked computers. It even works with computers that use dial-up internet connections.

For information about using this data sharing method and pricing, take a look at this page. While this second method isn't free, most users find it well worth the low cost. If you'd like a free trial of ChurchTrac's built-in data sharing, just let us know.