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Installation

Network installation instructions

note
  • Practice CS uses Microsoft SQL Server (including 2014 Edition and later) for storing data. If the computer has a firewall installed, you'll need to create an exception in the firewall for the instance of SQL Server you're using (recommended) or turn off the firewall (not recommended) to run Practice CS. If you need help with creating an exception for the instance of SQL Server you're using, refer to your firewall’s documentation.
  • If your database server is currently running any edition of Microsoft SQL Server or SQL Server Express Edition earlier than 2012, you won't be able to install the latest release of Practice CS until you apply SQL Server 2012, SQL Server Express Edition, or a later version to your database.
  • After July 12, 2022, Microsoft won't support SQL Server 2012 or earlier.
  • The computer where the shared files are installed needs to be turned on in order for the application files to be available to people (workstations).
These instructions are for installing Practice CS on a network server.
  • If your firm installs Practice CS in a terminal server environment, be sure to rely only on a qualified and certified terminal server professional to handle the installation.
  • If you're installing Practice CS on a network, you'll need to be present at the database server during the initial installation.
Perform the following procedures to install Practice CS to the network or to a standalone workstation. If you've purchased a license for the network version and installed the application files on the network, you need to only perform this procedure once.
note
  • You can download and install Practice CS from our website. Because a full application download involves a large amount of data, downloading and installing from the website is recommended only if you have a high-speed internet connection.
  • The installation process may require you to restart the computer you're installing the application on. If you're installing the application on a network, be sure that your network administrator selects a time to install when all other people have signed off the network.
  1. Make sure you're signed-in to your computer or server as an administrator.
  2. If you've previously installed Practice CS, go to the System Information portlet on any Practice CS dashboard and verify the Database server/instance name and the Integration/Datasharing path before you begin the installation process.
  3. Close all open applications, including background virus protection applications.
  4. Visit the Downloads page of our website at Tax.ThomsonReuters.com and follow the instructions to save the installation EXE file to your local drive.
  5. After you've downloaded the EXE file, double-click the file to begin the installation wizard.
    note
    If you don't yet have a web account, you will be prompted to set one up when you try to download applications from our website.
  6. When the Practice CS setup starts, select the
    Install Practice CS
    .
  7. On the Welcome to Practice CS Setup screen, select
    Yes
     to "verify that you are installing the application on the computer that you want to designate as the Database Server" then select
    Next
     to continue.
    note
    If you select
    No
    , you'll be prompted to begin again on the computer that will function as your database server.
  8. Read the Practice CS License Agreement, mark the
    I accept the terms in the License Agreement
     checkbox, and select
    Next
     to continue.
  9. For Installation Step 1, select
    Next
     to choose where the Practice CS shared files go. Files shared by Practice CS installations are used forintegration with other applications, forstorage of configuration settings, and for workstation installation files.
    Select more then go to the folder you want.
    • If you're not going to run Practice CS on a network, this folder is usually C:\WINCSI.
    • If you do run Practice CS on a network, select a shared network folder such as X:\WINCSI or \\<name of network share>\WINCSI.
    Select
    OK
     and then
    Next
     to continue.
  10. The setup wizard will provide the option to enable Remote Entry, which lets your staff perform functions such as time and expense entry without a connection to your office network. If you want to enable Remote Entry, select the
    Allow Remote Entry to be enabled on other computers
     option and then select
    Next
    .
  11. For Installation Step 2, select
    Next
     to configure this computer as the database server for Practice CS. Practice CS requires an instance of SQL Server. If your computer doesn't have an instance of SQL Server, the only available option will be
    Install a new instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express Edition
    . If your computer already has a supported version of SQL Server, you may use an existing instance or use the CREATIVESOLUTION instance.
    • If you choose to use an existing CREATIVESOLUTION or other existing instance of SQL Server, mark the option and select
      Next
       to select that instance and configure the instance for use with Practice CS. To use an existing instance, it needs to be version 2012 or later.
    • If you choose to install a new instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express Edition, mark the option and select
      Next
       to install and configure the instance for use with Practice CS. You'll need to provide a unique name for the new instance. Select
      Next
       to choose where you want your Practice CS database to go. This can't be a network folder. SQL requires this folder to be on this computer.
      note
      If Practice CS has been previously installed, you can select the instance used during the last installation, unless that instance is older than version 2012. If you choose to use a different instance or install a new instance, you'll need to back up your database before continuing. After installation is complete, open Practice CS and restore your database.
    When finished, select
    Next
     to continue.
  12. You may be prompted that the sample database already exists. Select
    Yes
     to replace the database with a fresh copy, or
    No
     to preserve your existing copy of the sample database.
  13. For Installation Step 3, select
    Next
    , then determine whether the Practice CS files should be installed on the computer that also functions as your database server.
    • If you want to run Practice CS on this computer, mark the
      Install Practice CS so that I am able to run it on this computer
       option and then select
      Next
      .
    • If you want this computer to function only as the database server, mark the
      Skip installing Practice CS on this computer, this computer will be used as the Practice CS database server only
       option. Then select
      Next
       and skip the following step before continuing.
  14. The installation application now installs Practice CS and the necessary components. Any components without a checkmark will be installed. Select
    Next
     to install Practice CS and any components without a checkmark. You may need to restart your computer 1 or more times during this step.
  15. The setup wizard now displays instructions for completing the Practice CS setup for a network. You'll need to run the desktop setup application at each computer that will run Practice CS. You can save or print these instructions. Select
    Next
     to continue.
  16. When you're prompted that the installation is complete, select
    Finish
    . If you want to immediately open Practice CS, leave the
    Run Practice CS
     checkbox marked.

This article applies to:

  • PRODUCT: Practice CS
  • Subject: Install

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