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Move CS Professional Suite applications to a new computer or server

Buying new hardware, including servers and workstations, as well as repurposing existing machines is a part of standard network maintenance.
If you want to migrate your CS Professional applications and data to a new server, a new computer, or a new office, consider the following best practices and procedures to ensure minimal disruption and downtime.

Make a backup

On the original server or computer, do the following.
  • Open each CS application, then select
    File
    , then
    Backup
     to back up your client data and application settings.
  • For minimal disruption, perform the backup during non-business hours.

Copy and paste data

If you're unable to use the backup and restore commands in the applications, you may copy and paste the data folders to the new computer or server. However, we don't recommend this method because it can leave system settings, document settings, and other data behind on the original server or computer.
Also, this method can copy configuration settings that were specific to the original server or computer to the new server or computer, which may result in performance or stability issues.
For SQL-based applications, copying and pasting the data folders is not an option due to the SQL file structure. If you're migrating your SQL-based applications to a new computer or server or require a new installation of SQL, consult with your firm's qualified IT professional and review the SQL Server best practices for CS Professional Suite applications and procedures by application.

Install software and restore data

  • Perform a fresh installation of all your CS Professional Suite applications.
  • Download the installation files (sign in is needed).
  • Open the application, then download and install updates to ensure you're running the most up-to-date version of the application.
  • Select
    File
    , then
    Restore
     to restore the backed-up client data and application settings.

FileCabinet CS

Data can be moved by backing up drawers or moving the default data location folder in its entirety.
The default data location is
X:\WinCSI\FCabData
.
If you use the SQL database format for FileCabinet CS, we strongly recommend that you select
File
, then
Backup
, and select
Database
 to make a SQL backup. FileCabinet CS uses more than 1 SQL database to manage information in each location, so you should use the backup utility in FileCabinet CS to ensure that you back up all of your data.
To back up system settings, open FileCabinet CS and select
File
, then
Backup
. Select
System Settings
, select all items except Data Locations, and copy the backup files to the new computer or server. On the new server, select
File
, then
Restore
 and select
System Settings
.
  • To create document folders during the data restore process, select the
    Automatically create document folders
     checkbox.
  • To save your stamp library, copy the X:\WinCSI\FcabSys\annotlib.dat file to the new location.
  • To save your custom document names list, copy the X:\WinCSI\FcabData\$sysdata\docnames.cc$ file to the new location.
  • To save your family lists, copy the X:\WinCSI\FcabData\$sysdata\families.cc$ file to the new location.
note
Archived data is not included in drawer backups.

Fixed Assets CS

The default data location is
X:\WinCSI\DeprData
.
Fixed Assets CS stores custom reports within its data folder. You need to either backup the custom reports in the original installation and then restore them into the new installation or copy the following files to the new computer or server:
  • X:\WinCSI\DeprData\$SYSDATA\DLAYOUT.dat
  • X:\WinCSI\DeprData\$SYSDATA\DPRNOPTS.dat
Fixed Assets CS stores custom methods within its data folder. You need to either backup the custom methods in the original installation and restore them into the new installation or copy the following file to the new computer or server:
  • X:\WinCSI\DeprData\$METHOD\DSYSMTD.dat

Planner CS

The default data location is
X:\WinCSI\UTPData
.
note
This is the default location for data. If you created different or multiple data locations, you need to copy the data directories. If you are using a third-party backup utility, consult the proper software provider or a qualified IT professional to learn how to restore items from its backups. Generally, backup services back up designated folders. You can copy the data folders from those backups and then restore them to the new computer or server.
For Planner CS, the easiest way to move data from 1 location to another is to copy and paste the contents of the
X:\WinCSI\UTPData
 folder.

UltraTax CS

The default data locations are as follows:
  • X:\WinCSI\UTYYdata
    , where YY represents the tax year
  • X:\WinCSI\DeprData
note
  • Because UltraTax CS is designed to look for prior-year installations of UltraTax CS, you should install your firm’s oldest version of UltraTax CS on the computer or server first. For example, if your firm is licensed for UltraTax CS 2012, 2013, and 2014, you should install UltraTax CS 2012 first, followed by 2013, and then finally 2014.
  • These are the default locations for data. If you created different or multiple data locations, you need to copy the data directories. If you are using a third-party backup utility, consult the proper software provider or a qualified IT professional to learn how to restore items from its backups. Generally, backup services back up designated folders. You can copy the data folders from those backups and then restore them to the new computer or server.
The following is additional information and items to back up:
  • If your firm files returns electronically and uses only 1 electronic filing identification number (EFIN), open the original installation and write down your EFIN, which appears in the All returns will file using the EFIN field. The location of this field varies by version.
    • UltraTax version 13.1.0 and newer:
       Select
      Setup
      ,
      Office Configuration
       and select the
      E-Filing
       tab.
    • UltraTax version 12.x.x and older:
       Select
      Setup
      ,
      System Configuration
       and select the
      Electronic Filing
       tab.
    In the new installation, go to the appropriate location (as specified earlier) and set up your EFIN.
  • Select
    Setup
    ,
    System Configuration
    , then
    Firm
     tab and write down your firm's EIN and phone number. When you install the application to the new computer or server, select
    Setup
    ,
    System Configuration
    , then
    Firm
     tab and enter the EIN and phone number.
  • If you will use a different set of data locations on your new server, we recommend that you don’t back up data locations when you back up system settings. (To back up system settings, select
    File
    ,
    Backup
    , select
    System Settings
    , and leave Data Locations.)
  • If your firm is licensed for per-return pricing (PRP) for some products and your firm also files returns electronically, you may need to copy the files that hold this information. The files are in the
    X:\UTYYData\$Sysdata
     folder, where X is the drive letter where your data is stored; the files are named
    ELFSTAT.DAT
     and
    PRPLST.DAT
    .
  • To restore the ELF status for your clients, you will want to rebuild the ELF status in
    UltraTax CS
    ,
    Help
    ,
    Repair
    , then
    Rebuild ELF Status
     when all other users are out of the application.
  • All e-files pending transmission should be sent prior to migrating UltraTax. Per Publications 1345 and 4163, EROs must ensure that stockpiling of returns doesn’t occur. After migrating the program, recreate the needed e-files that couldn’t be transmitted previously.

This article applies to:

  • Product: AdvanceFlow

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