Overview

 

Backing up is a necessary part of working with all data.  By backing up ACH Universal on a regular basis, your data will be current in the event of an emergency and you will minimize data loss.  Note: This article only applies to the Desktop platform.  Contact your Database Administrator for procedures and policies regarding SQL Server backups.

 

Database backups are safeguards against unforeseeable computer errors (file corruption, system failure).  By creating regular database backups, the chance of data loss is minimized as there will be a regular backup in place.  ACH Universal is set by default for automatic backups.  This can be turned off (not recommended) or your own backups scheduled according to your own needs.

 

Internal Database Storage

 

ACH Universal stores all information for each account in a .brd file.  There is 1 brd file for each account and they share the same name.  For example, if you create an account named Payroll, there will be a Payroll.brd database file that contains all the data imported into that account. Never place the brd file on a network drive and attempt to share it among multiple workstations.  Multiple workstation licenses should only be used for totally separate database files (through totally separate accounts).  If you need to share data, you must use the SQL Server platform.

 

Regardless of using ACH Universal's default backup policy or implementing your own schedule, the backups are numbered automatically by ACH Universal for identification.  The most recent backup will always have the extension .br1.  The next most recent backup will have the extension .br2 and the third most recent backup will have the extension .br3.  If a database restoration is needed, restore using the br1 file first (as it is the most recent).  By default the backups will be placed into the same directory as the .brd.  It is highly recommended that the backups are always stored in the same directory with the brd file.

 

 

Automatic Backups (not for disaster recovery)

 

By default ACH Universal will backup your database in a pre-determined schedule.

 

Note: The program uses this as a protection against database corruption.  These backups are stored on the same drive as the production database, and therefore will not proved for any protection on a hard drive crash or if there is any damage to the computer.

 

It is highly recommended to leave this option on.  If you wish to turn it off:

From the main menu, select File, then Options, then General.

Select the System tab. Change the "Backup data on exit" option to No. Click Close to save your changes.

 
 

Manual Backups - Disaster recovery

From the main menu, select File > Backup.

 

We highly recommend backing up to a server that is backed up off-site.