Once the network has been set-up, the following are suggestions on how you can avoid problems while using AnyPO on a network:

When AnyPO is Not in Use, Close Out of the Program

When you are finished using AnyPO, close out the program.  Don't leave the program open and running for long periods when you are not using it.  Make sure you close the program when you go to meetings or leave for lunch.  The program can be used as long as necessary, but when once you've completed your work, close it down.

A Note About the "Network Locked" Status Indicator

The network LOCKED status indicator that appears in the upper right hand corner of the Main Purchase Order Screen.  A network lock is different than a regular lock (which is activated by selecting Purchase Order TOOLS and LOCK Purchase Order).  Network locks are activated internally by AnyPO to protect your data.  To distinguish between the two types, a network LOCKED status indicator is striking in appearance with red lettering placed over a bright yellow background.

Stay on a Completed Purchase Order - Not a Blank Purchase Order

When using AnyPO, and if you are not actively creating a new PO, you should stay on an Purchase Order that's already been filled in and completed.  In other words, don't create an empty Purchase Order and stay there.  An empty Purchase Order without a Vendor name might be taken by another user.  Additionally, it's just not good practice to have an empty Purchase Order appearing on your screen for any length of time.

While Waiting:  Assure that the Purchase Order is Not Locked

While waiting, make sure that the Purchase Order doesn't have any record locks.  You can assure that record locks are removed by clicking on the "Calculate" button.  Or you can do it by paging back and then forward:  PageUp and PageDown on your keyboard.  (Why is this?  Some processes such as batch printing, reporting features and others will not run successfully if locked records exist.)

Upon Finishing an Order: Again Assure that Purchase Order is Not Locked

Once you've finished creating a new PO, and while you might be waiting to create another, double check to make sure all record locks are removed.  To do that, click on "Calculate" button or page back and then forward:  PageUp and PageDown on your keyboard.

When creating a new PO:  Get the Vendor's Name Entered First

You can start a new Purchase Order by selecting Main Tasks >> Add a New Purchase Order (or the short cut is:  CTRL+A).  You should begin by getting the vendor's name entered first.  (Or pick the Vendor from the pop-up list if they are in the Vendor Database).  If you are manually entering the name, then after entering it, move to the first address field.  You can use the mouse, but the most efficient way to move to the next field is to use the TAB key on your keyboard.  Getting the name entered is important.  Once you get a name entered, other users who happen to page to your Purchase Order will see the name and know that you're working on that Purchase Order.

To Page through the Purchase Orders Use PageUp and PageDown on Your Keyboard

If you need to page forward or backward through the Purchase Orders, it's best to use PageUp and PageDown on your keyboard.  Page Up goes the previous Purchase Order.  Page Down goes the next Purchase Order.

As you Page-Up and Down, You'll See Network Lock Indicators and "Locked" Messages will also Appear

As you page through the Purchase Orders, you'll see Purchase Orders have bright Network Lock indicators.  And you will get a message similar to:  "This record or program area is locked because it is currently be used by someone else…" That's fine.  It's normal.  That means that someone else is working on these Purchase Orders - and you should move to a different Purchase Order.

Network Locks When Two People Try to Edit the Same Purchase Order

When one user on the network is typing data into a Purchase Order and then another tries to type data into the same Purchase Order, AnyPO will lock the Purchase Order.

The lock can take three forms depending upon the circumstances:

1. LOCKED Indicator.  In the first situation, User A is editing a field on Purchase Order # 1000.  User B is on a different Purchase Order, but then pages to Purchase Order #1000.  User B will see a bright, red and yellow LOCKED indicator in the upper right hand corner of the Main Purchase Order Screen.  This means that the Purchase Order has been locked by the network.  User B should not attempt to make any edits to the Purchase Order and should move elsewhere.  (Note that if User A is not in the actual process of changing a field, the record will not be locked.  An individual has to be actively typing in order to lock an Purchase Order.)     When the network LOCKED indicator appears, the Purchase Order on which it appears is not released from the lock until the person working on it moves to another Purchase Order.  Once the Purchase Order is released, it can be accessed by another user on the network.

2. Keyboard Lock.  In the second situation, both User A and User B are on the same Purchase Order at the same time.  User A begins editing a field on the Main Purchase Order Screen.  A few moments later User B begins editing.  In this case, the LOCKED indicator will not appear at the top of the screen, but, nevertheless, AnyPO will indicate its locked status by stopping all input from User B's keyboard.  This is a keyboard lock.  User B can type away on the keyboard but nothing will appear on the Main Purchase Order Screen.  Whenever the keyboard locks in a networking environment, you should move to another Purchase Order.       Note that in the case of a keyboard lock, the Purchase Order will be released when the edit of the field is completed, not necessarily when the user moves to another Purchase Order (as described above).  That's one of reasons why you want to move away from an Purchase Order when you experience a keyboard lock.  If you continue to try to type, you may gain control of the Purchase Order when the other user finishes his or her edit.  At that point, your changes take precedent over the other user's.  That confuses the editing process for the other user.  It rare for this to occur, but, even so, it's always good practice to page to another Purchase Order when the keyboard locks.

3. "Record Locked" Message.  In this situation, a warning message appears if someone else on the network is editing the same Purchase Order as you.  The text of the warning message may vary somewhat, but it will generally say the following:  "This record or program area is locked because it is currently being used by someone else on the network…"  The other message that you'll receive is very short: "Retrying Row Locks."  In either case, the keyboard may or may not lock--and, the LOCKED indicator may or may not appear at the top of the Main Purchase Order Screen.  When you receive such messages you should stop all edits in progress and move to another Purchase Order.  If the message keeps reappearing, you'll need to wait until the other user is finished.  Every so often click the OK button on the warning message.  When the warning message finally disappears, the Purchase Order has been released and you'll be able to move on.

It's the second situation (keyboard lock) that you need to watch out for.  It is not accompanied with a visible network lock sign, but you should be prepared for it.  Whenever a keyboard lock occurs, move to another Purchase Order.

Screen Refresh Option

For network users, we also have provided a screen refresh option.  During our testing, we never had to use it, but we've left it available to you in case it might be useful.  If you're working on a record and it appears to lock up (particularly if you've received one or more the internal errors (the ones that provide you with the Ignore or Cancel options) , you can use the screen refresh.  Screen refresh is done by selecting Window >> Screen Refresh (or CTRL+F4 is the quick key).  This refreshes the databases.  After refreshing, you'll need to page back to your Purchase Order, but it should allow you to continue to work on the Purchase Order.

AnyPO Won't Start on the Server

If AnyBook will not start on the server, it's probably due to something called Data Execution Prevention (DEP).  For more information, see: DEP

Data File Errors are Triggered When Starting the Program

One problem you may come upon occurs when adding AnyPO to another computer (or a new computer) on a networked system.  If, when adding AnyPO to a new computer, you get data file errors, check to make sure that you are running the same version of AnyPO on all networked computers.  You can check the version number from the Main Purchase Order Screen by selecting HELP >> ABOUT.

If you run different versions of the program on a network, database files will be mismatched, and that causes all sorts of file access problems.  If you run into this situation, download the latest version from the AnyPO website and install it on all computers.  Begin with the server computer.  After installing to the server, start AnyPO on the server.  If there's been a change of database files, the program will automatically convert the files to the new version.  Then install it on each of the workstations.  More on re-installing AnyPO.

If you have the same version running and you are still receiving data file errors upon starting the program, see this information in the Troubleshooting chapter.

Back-up files

Even if you have a regular network back-up, we still recommend that you back-up on each workstation: More Information.