Best way to share 2 files remotely

[Cin]

I am in the process of developing a database that I need to have 2 copies of. One for the accountant and one for the business. (I'm the accountant) I want to be able to get any changes she makes into the file and import it into mine without overwriting what I've done. We are in 2 locations and she only has a dial up connection. What is the best way to sync my file with hers?

[rogermax]

Are both of you making changes to the database? ie: on record x, she makes a change and you make a change on separate copies of the db, then you want to sync that record?

[Cin]

Hi Roger,

Yes. We would both me making changes. For instance, she would create a work order and I would approve that work order via a script. I would have it on my file that it was approved but she wouldn't. The following week when I'd sync them again I wouldn't want her file to overwrite my approved field. (this is one example)

Cindy

[rogermax]

This poses a more difficult problem. I have read some posts on this subject in the past, you may want to do a search on synchronize or something of that nature here in the forums.

Seems as though you will need to use speciallized export/import scripts to update matching records with only specified fields, and/or use a logging scheme to track when the last change was made on each field by record, then run a script to compare the fields and write to the master only the latest change. This is kind of an ugly situation that really should be using hosted files accessed by by guest/clients. Trying to keep them in sync will be tough otherwise.

this note from the FMP help file:

Important When you do an import update, data from matching records in the source file overwrite existing data in the corresponding record in the destination file. Make sure every field you import, in every record you import, has data that you want to import.

[Computer Geek]

Just a thought --- have you considered the web publishing option? You could have the file hosted on your end and she could access it through the web when she dials up.

Also, even with a dial up connection, she should be able to get to a hosted file on your computer or server (with out the web). It might be slower, but it sure beats trying to sync the files.

[rogermax]

good suggestion. syncing tends to be nightmarish.

[Deep Thought II]

what i ended up for the problem of "sync" was making an Alert table that shows new/changed orders in the past X days, and a script built specifically for syncing alone. i had trouble making add and sync work together. if u can, this can just be one script.

for syncing... lots of practices and experiments are required... i found exporting into a file and importing it to be a good one, instead of using Copy and Paste... see if it suits u as well~

good luck~