Hello - After (very happily) using Solar offline for years I've just started testing the online version and have one or two questions:
Can you tell me how to change this version from online to offline mode (say for use on a plane as mentioned), and if I'm working online and the internet connection goes down can I automatically continue offline or does that mode have to be selected while connected? And one final thing, when connectivity is resumed, does the changed data automatically update?
When you mention: 'Store your data on your computer for ultimate security or if your internet connection is unreliable' I'm not sure quite how that works, since my understanding from what is said elsewhere is that the data is only readable/usable via the online version anyway. Can you explain a little further, please?
If offline backups of the online data are kept for future reference, say at a financial year end, how are those archived files selected for opening with the online version, or does it only use the Time Machine tool? Currently it's possible to easily look at any old backup files - which of course aren't changed by any subsequent adjustments - but maybe that isn't the case with the online version?
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
Hi Paula,
Thanks for your interest in the online version of Solar Accounts. To
answer your questions:
With Solar Accounts Online you can switch from online mode to offline
mode by clicking menu File > Data Location > On This Computer.
Unfortunately our system is not clever enough to automatically switch
between modes depending on your connection status. For example, this means
if you are in online mode and your connection goes down you will see an
error message saying that the software cannot connect to our online systems
and you must restore your online connection to continue. Similarly if you
are in offline mode and your connection is restored then you will need to
click menu File > Data Location > In The Cloud to switch back to the cloud
features.
Yes, when you are in offline mode you will still need an internet
connection to log into the system when the program starts. However, you do
not need an internet connection after that until you next restart the
software or log out. That means you can work for several hours or even
days without needing an internet connection.
The Time Machine feature in Solar Accounts Online is not related to the
backups that you create. With Solar Accounts Online you can restore a
backup by clicking menu File > New > Business > Import From Existing File.
Note that this will create a new business record in addition to your old
business record - this allows you to compare your current data with the
backup data. Be careful to delete the backup business record when you are
finished with it so that our billing system does not charge you for two
businesses at the end of your billing period. (To delete a business record
click menu File > Close, then select the business and click 'Remove').
