Installation Guide - Overview

This document is designed to help you understand the installation and upgrade processes for Metrix Server 1.3 and Metrix Client 1.3.

What is Metrix?

Metrix is a contact management system designed as a response to the Fund for the City of New York's 20 years of developing systems for non-profits. We identified a set of common information management needs of small to mid-sized organizations, and have designed a system with the potential to streamline operations and save non-profits thousands of dollars in software and support costs. This community software product is distributed free of cost and was developed using Microsoft Access and Microsoft Data Engine and follows an open-source development model.

Metrix is made up of three main components:

A powerful, enterprise-wide database built using MSDE 2000 or SQL Server 2000
Server files, interactsql.adp and reportsql.adp, that allow for shared reports and forms
A client file, Metrix.adp, that allows users to access the data in the database

Metrix can be installed as a standalone system with the client, database and server files residing on a single computer. It can also be shared via a network with the database and server files residing on a central computer that is accessible to all users, and with the clients installed on multiple desktops.

Whether you plan on implementing a standalone database system for a small group or an enterprise-wide tool for multiple users, the steps that are necessary to reach that point are the same. You must take the time to make an honest and thorough assessment of your needs, business rules and work environment to ensure a successful implementation. If you are unsure if Metrix 1.3 is the right tool for your organization it is highly recommended that you take the opportunity to complete the Metrix Readiness Survey before proceeding with the installation of Metrix, even if only for the purpose of evaluation. The survey is available for download from the Metrix website - http://Metrix.fcny.org.

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What's New in 1.3

Since the release of 1.1.0 in the fall of 2004 known problems were fixed, enhancements were made and new functionality was introduced in all three components. The following list gives an overview of changes and enhancements in 1.3.

easier to customize
over 100 bugs from version 1.2 fixed
verifies format of e-mail addresses
improved duplicate checking features
improved overall stability
improved handling of special characters in strings
can install side-by-side with MS SQL Server
rebuilt and stabilized Interactions Portal
Improved features to track connections between your contacts
allows more than one connection between a pair of contacts
Revised data import process and import template, which has explanations and descriptions of fields. The new import template is called MetrixImportTemplate_version1-3.xls and will not overwrite the existing template or any data it contains.
The process by which the Interactions Portal is customized has been expanded to include custom tables and two additional customizable tabs have been added to the portal
Revised devmodule.mdb that simplifies the creation of custom tables and forms. The new devmodule is called devmodule130.mdb and will not overwrite the existing devmodule that was installed with version 1.2.0.

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Defunct Functionality

Warning: If you are upgrading from Metrix 110, please pay particular attention to the following list of functionality that has been removed from the application. If your organization relies on any of the disabled functionality you may want to reconsider upgrading if you want to continue using the disabled functionality.

E-mail functionality has been removed in anticipation of integration with Microsoft Outlook in future versions. However, all e-mail related data in existing Metrix installations will remain in the upgraded database.
The Maintenance option on the Admin menu has been removed. The following Maintenance functions have been migrated to the Tools menu on the Contact Toolbar :
Delete All Contacts and Location Data: Tools menu, Reset Database option
Delete All Interaction Definitions: Tools menu, Reset Database option
Delete All Planned Tasks: Tools menu, Reset Database option
Compact and Repair Database: Tools menu, Options... option

All other Maintenance functions are no longer available.

The Developer's Console option on the Admin menu has been removed. The following Developer's Console functions have been migrated to various Contact Toolbar menus:
Developer Notes : Tools menu, Developer Tools option

All other Developers Console functions are no longer available.

Mobile field was removed from the main contact screen. The field remains in the database.

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Database Changes

Warning
If you currently have Metrix installed and are looking to upgrade, please pay particular attention to the list of changes to the database structure. If your organization relies on any of the deleted fields you may want to delay upgrading until you can migrate existing data to other Metrix fields.

Increased column field lengths for over 60 critical columns such as contact name, addresses, etc.

The following columns in tblInteractions have been moved to new table tblCustomInteractions . Any existing data in these columns will be migrated during the upgrade process.

Date1
Date2
Date3
DateEnd
DatePosted
DateStart
DateTarget
FiscalYear
ItemAmount
LifeMember
Number1
Other
Quantity
Status
Text1
Text2
Text3

The following columns in tblContacts have been deleted. Any data existing in these columns will be deleted.

Employer
InternetChatID
Owner

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Installation Process - Server

If you do not already have Metrix Server installed, download the latest server installation file from the Downloads & Updates section of http://Metrix.fcny.org directly onto the desktop of the computer where you plan to install the server. If that computer does not have internet access download the file into a location accessible to that computer and then move the file.

This InstallShield executable will place the files necessary to complete the installation of Metrix Server onto your computer. One of these files is the Server Configuration Wizard which you will launch when InstallShield has completed its part of the installation. It is this wizard that creates the Metrix database and connects the server files to the database.

Key Points

If you have an existing MSDE 2000 or SQL Server 2000 installation but you would prefer to install the database on its own instance, you will need to select the I need to install MSDE option on the InstallShield Setup Type screen during the installation. The new instance will be called Metrix.
If you have an existing MSDE 2000 or SQL Server 2000 installation you will need the system administrator (sa) password if you connect using SQL Server authentication.
By default, the server files (interactsql.adp and reportsql.adp ) will be installed on the same computer as the database. However, if you prefer to have the server files on a computer separate from the database you must manually move the server files to their new location once the Server Configuration Wizard has completed. These files must be moved BEFORE any Metrix client is installed.

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Installation Process - Client

Note: The Metrix Server must be installed before client installations can occur.

If you do not already have the Metrix client installed, download the latest client installation file from the Downloads & Updates section of http://Metrix.fcny.org directly onto the desktop of the computer where you plan to install the client. If that computer does not have internet access download the file into a location accessible to that computer and then move the file.

This InstallShield executable will place the files necessary to complete the installation of the Metrix client onto your computer. One of these files is the Client Configuration Wizard which you will launch when InstallShield has completed its part of the installation. It is this wizard that will connect the client to the Metrix database and to the server files.

Key Points

An Access application window will appear in the upper left-hand corner of your screen during the installation. This is normal behavior. Do not attempt to close or maximize this window as this will disrupt the installation process.
Make sure that Microsoft Access is not open on the computer where the client is being installed.

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Upgrade Process - Server

If you already have Metrix Server 1.1.0 or 1.2.0 installed, download the latest server upgrade file from the Downloads & Updates section of http://Metrix.fcny.org directly onto the desktop of the computer where the database is installed. If that computer does not have internet access download the file into a location accessible to that computer and then move the file.

This InstallShield® executable will place the files necessary to complete the upgrade of Metrix Server onto your computer. One of these files is the Server Upgrade Wizard which you will launch when InstallShield® has completed its part of the installation. It is this wizard that upgrades the Metrix database and server files.

Key Points

Prior to running the upgrade ensure that no users are connected to the database or the server files via the Metrix client. If you have an existing SQL Server 2000 installation ensure that no users are connected to the database via Enterprise Manager, Query Analyzer, osql or any other SQL Server tool.
Before the server files (interactsql.adp and reportsql.adp ) are upgraded you will be prompted to create a backup of each file using the Server Upgrade Wizard. Should the upgrade fail for any reason the server files will be restored to their current state.
Before the database is upgraded you will be prompted to create a backup file using the Server Upgrade Wizard. Should the upgrade fail for any reason the database will be restored using this file.

If you have an existing backup file you can use that instead; it is highly recommended that this file be less than one day old to ensure restoration of the most recent data. This backup file must be located directly on the computer and not on the network.

However, if changes have been made to the database since your backup file was created choose the option to make a new backup.

You must have the following information in order to upgrade the Metrix Server. If you are unsure of any of these values please consult your system administrator.
the name of the computer and instance (if applicable) on which the Metrix Server database is installed
the name of the computer and the file path on that computer where the server files, interactsql.adp and reportsql.adp , are located
the SQL Server system administrator (sa) password if you connect to the server using SQL Server authentication
the name of the Metrix Server database
Any custom forms, reports and modules that exist in interactsql.adp and reportsql.adp will be upgraded.
An Access application window and module code windows will appear in the upper left-hand corner of your screen during this process. This is normal behavior. Do not attempt to close or maximize these windows as this will disrupt the upgrade process.

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Upgrade Process - Client

Note: The Metrix Server must be upgraded before client upgrades can occur.

If you already have Metrix Client 1.1.0 or 1.2.0 installed, download the latest client upgrade file from the Downloads & Updates section of http://Metrix.fcny.org directly onto the desktop of the computer where the client is installed. If that computer does not have internet access download the file into a location accessible to that computer and then move the file.

This InstallShield executable will place the files necessary to complete the upgrade of the Metrix client onto your computer. One of these files is the Client Configuration Wizard which you will launch when InstallShield has completed its part of the installation. It is this wizard that upgrades the Metrix client.

Key Points

Before the client, Metrix.adp , is upgraded you will be prompted to create a backup of the file using the Client Configuration Wizard . Should the upgrade fail for any reason the client will be restored to its current state.
You must have the following information in order to upgrade the Metrix client. If you are unsure of any of these values please consult your system administrator.
*the name of the computer and instance (if applicable) on which the Metrix Server database is installed
the name of the computer and the file path on that computer where the server files, interactsql.adp and reportsql.adp , are located
the SQL Server system administrator (sa) password if you connect to the server using SQL Server authentication
the name of the Metrix Server database
Any custom forms, reports and modules that exist in Metrix.adp will be upgraded.
An Access application window will appear in the upper left-hand corner of your screen during this process. This is normal behavior. Do not attempt to close or maximize this window as this will disrupt the upgrade process.
Make sure that Microsoft Access and the Metrix client are not open on the computer.

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Technical Support

Please contact the Metrix Support Team or visit our website should you need any technical assistance.

Fund for the City of New York - Metrix Support Team
121 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10013-1590
United States Phone: (212) 590-9400
E-mail: Metrix@fcny.org
URL: http://Metrix.fcny.org

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