Selecting Your Database Type (V11)

CivilPro can operate as either a standalone (file based) system on a local computer, or as a server install (SQL Server) networked between multiple users. You need to decide which kind you are going to use right at the start, so a little bit about each is below. There is no difference in the use of Civil Pro once the database is set up.

If a standalone system suits your needs, it is by far the simplest and if you need to change to a server based system later, Civil Pro will migrate your standalone file to a server in a matter of minutes.

1. Standalone

A standalone database stores all of its information in a single file which is saved locally on your computer or a network share. You can still create as many projects as you like in a single file.

Advantages

1. Simple to administer
2. Backup by making a copy of the database
3. Easily archived
4. Portable

Disadvantages

1. Very little multi-user capability
2. Slower with large projects
3. No server based automation of backup processes and data recovery

2. Server 

A server install can be set up on a single machine. It does not need to be a server computer. The term server refers to the technology – being a database server. You can run CivilPro’s client application and a Microsoft SQL Server Express easily on a modern computer.

Of course, if you have a company wide system or many users, you will want the database to run on a central machine with reasonable specifications.

Backups, restores and administration are all server-based tasks requiring either a reliable backup of the environment in which the server is running, or someone who knows about using a database server. If you need to use your project where you cannot access the server, you can temporarily convert it to a standalone file and back again.

 

Advantages

1. Essential for multi-user environments
2. Data can be aggregated across projects
3. Central control of all data and backup processes
4. Stronger access control
5. Can be inexpensively achieved using MS SQL Express (free)

Disadvantages

1. Requires basic SQL server knowledge by IT department or user
2. Data transfer requires standard database backup/restore