Software upgrades are released periodically for a variety of reasons: economic change, fixes, development and legal reasons. The releases tend to be erratic with no fixed period in mind. In fact, they have been released several times a day: though this is rare, it has happened and will happen again. It's important that the acting server has constant access to the Internet and a connection to BAWorld.
Automatic update systems
Whether you receive upgrades, modification files, new licenses, special data files for Business Administrator, the process of upgrading is simple. The method is similar in all cases, and is usually automatic.
If it has an open Internet connection, Business Administrator will always be on the lookout for updates to software and data, the two substances it thrives on. If it finds something, it will download it. If it can apply the issue without bothering you then it will do it, without your even knowing.
On the other hand, if it feels you will be interrupted then it will download and prepare everything, let you know that an upgrade is ready, tell you what to do, and what's involved. When you do it is up to you, but you should do it as soon as you can. There are likely to be circumstances when an immediate upgrade is required, whence you'll have no choice but to upgrade.
The serving computer is responsible for monitoring software or data upgrades, and for implementing them. In a multi-user system, where there are satellites, Business Administrator Server is responsible for watching out for upgrades and implementing them. When it finds upgrades, if it's necessary, it will require all the satellites to go into a pause mode as it upgrades, whence they can't be used. If it is necessary for the satellites to upgrade or restart, the server will issue commands and resources for them to do that, and when to do it. It will also have provided them with the resources to execute the upgrade.
The upgrade process only takes a few moments. The serving computer must be upgraded first and can be done when the business is quiet. Once the server has upgraded, the entire system must upgrade.
Detecting the upgrade
The acting server is responsible for watching out for software upgrades, which it does periodically if it has a connection to BAWorld.
When an upgrade is detected Business Administrator will download the latest upgrade to your local drive. It will then copy the upgrade to the shared location where the database is kept. Note that if you want to install Business Administrator on other computers, then use the installation that is in the Data subfolder where the database is stored.
When the upgrade has finished downloading, Business Administrator will do either of two things: it will either restart without any warning, or it will add a request to The Business, and wait for your request to upgrade. It will only upgrade automatically if it is confident that the installer requires no user intervention. However, if it enters an issue into The Business, then the issue will be broadcast to all users, hoping that someone will request it to upgrade. The request can only be made at the server.
We'll assume that you are working in a multiple computer environment from here on.
The upgrade process
None of the satellites will upgrade until the server has upgraded and they are requested to upgrade by the server. A satellite is any computer that is not the server. If the server fails, then any satellite can become a server. Only one computer can be a server.
Before it upgrades, the acting server will ask all satellites to pause their work. It will wait a few seconds, then ask the upgrade to start, and will close itself. This will allow a few moments for satellites to finish any critical work.
When the upgrade is complete, Business Administrator will restart. As it starts, it will upgrade the database and do any maintenance, if that's necessary. It will then ask all satellites to come off pause and upgrade. Business Administrator will then proceed to become the server again.
While the satellites copy the installer to their local locations, they will inform users of what they are doing. When the copy is complete, they will each ask the local installer to start, and the satellite will quit. The installer commits to the upgrade and, when finished, will ask the satellite to restart. The satellite will verify it is the latest version and, if so, will carry on to full use. If not, it will upgrade again, and continue this process until it is up to date. Satellites do not get involved with upgrading the database: that's the responsibility of the acting server.
If, because of developments to the database, Business Administrator feels that it needs more information, it will ask you for it when it has restarted.
When the process is complete the entire system will return to normal. If everyone is aware of what they should do, a global upgrade can be performed within a few minutes.
Single computer environment
In a single computer environment, the acting server is the only computer that's present. Business Administrator knows where computers are across the network and, since there wouldn't be any other computers, it will neither wait for others, nor ask them to upgrade. It will still copy the installer to the Data folder to offer you a way of distributing it if you did get more computers.
Issues with failing to commit to regular upgrades
There are circumstances where you might not want to commit to regular upgrades: particularly because of slow or volume-based Internet connections. Although we recommend that you improve the situation to allow Business Administrator to interact with BAWorld, you can ask Business Administrator not to attempt to make an Internet connection. This is achieved by going to Business Manager, selecting mode Businesses, click on the primary business, click Policy, and under ‘eMail servers, Anti-Spam and Security’ and under ‘Internet Connection state’, select ‘Never’.
Whilst there is no Internet connection, it also means that you cannot take part in activities that The Business Administrator Network offers. This Business Administrator Network is designed to improve the Business Administrator experience, and help you do more business.
Why system upgrades differ to other software
Business Administrator is live software: it critically affects your working environment, with disastrous consequences if it's wrong.
The economy, laws, fiscal principles are changing all the time, and Business Administrator must change with them, and constantly fit with them.
Therefore, there are no pre-determined dates when the software should be released. Business Administrator is, therefore, not upgraded periodically in the conventional manner. This is also why licences are issued on an annual basis.
Upgrades are released much more frequently as the systems develop, or when it needs to be altered for some reason. This could be once a year, but could be as much as several times a day. Generally, we expect to release an upgrade once a month. Needless to say, Business Administrator must check very frequently to ensure it is up to date.
Data/information upgrades
Again, these are not upgrades but they are managed similarly. They are generally downloaded from the Internet and, again, are managed by Business Administrator. They don't usually require a restart and are unlikely to interrupt you.