Backup and Archive

Backup and Archive

Backup (Desktop editions only)

This section enables you to do a database backup, and controls the AutoBackup settings. Please note if using the Desktop Network edition, backups and the AutoBackup function will only work when run on the computer or server which hosts the database.
  1. “Last Full Backup” shows the latest date and time that the PetLinx database was backed up using the PetLinx Database Manager program.
  2. “Use AutoBackup” when ticked, will activate the AutoBackup feature which makes copies of the PetLinx database while you work and stores them on your computer. These are stored in the “AutoBackup” folder which you will find under the folder where PetLinx was installed (typically c:\program files (x86)\petlinx).
  3. “Last AutoBackup” shows the latest date and time that the PetLinx database was backed up using AutoBackup.
  4. “AutoBackup Path” is the location where the AutoBackup backup files are stored. By default this is set to c:\program files (x86)\petlinx4\AutoBackup, but can be changed to any valid folder. If you use a cloud storage facility such as Dropbox, you can select your DropBox folder as the AutoBackup path to have PetLinx backup to the cloud as you work.
  5. “Run AutoBackup Every” controls how often AutoBackup runs.
  6. “Keep AutoBackup Backup Files” dictates how long AutoBackup backup files are kept on your computer before being deleted.

Archive

The archive process runs once a month and keeps your database optimized. There are two options you can enable:
  1. “Archive data” moves data including bookings and transactions that are older than the specificed number of years, from the main part of your database to an archived area. This helps to de-clutter your system and may improve the speed of PetLinx, especially if you have been using it for many years.
  2. “Set customers and pets inactive” automatically changes the status of any customers and pets to Inactive if they have not had a booking or transaction within the specificed number of years. It is also recommended to turn on the “Remove photos and vaccination certificates from inactive pets” option as this will free up space in the PetLinx database.
The results of the archive process can be viewed by running the System Log report in the Reporting Center – General Reports tab.

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