User's Manual - Drake Software

Single Workstations and Network Options
Drake Software User’s Manual
As computers are added to the network, RAM and processing speed of the server and
the workstations should be upgraded to improve performance.
NOTE
Your office’s network must be properly configured for Drake to run correctly.
Drake cannot provide technical support for the network itself.
Consult an IT professional for network setup and support.
Single Workstations and Network Options
New for 2012: Setting up Drake on stand-alone computers or on networks is easier
and clearer. The software automatically sets up the location and data paths for you on
the Data Locations dialog box (Figure 2-3).
The location where you install Drake (see step 5 in Table 2-1 on page 13 or step 7 in
“Downloading the Software” on page 13) will be the default location for all current
and prior-year client files and returns, and the default location for such configuration
settings as firm and preparer setup, reports, macros, letters, pricing files, preparer
notes, and schedules. Unless you have files stored in different locations, or you have a
unique network setup, it shouldn’t be necessary to make any changes to your data
locations.
Administrators have the option of changing these data locations to conform to a particular
network setup.
Figure 2-3: Network information is entered at Setup > Data Locations
Networks
Install Drake to your network’s server or to all workstations of a “peer-to-peer” network.
Table 2-2 shows a comparison of the two network options:
Table 2-2: Comparison of Network Option
Server Only
(Preferred Setup)
For firms with a robust network setup
All Workstations
(“Peer-to-Peer” Setups)
For firms without resources to use a single server
16 Tax Year 2012