OK, so this is going to be a long winded post about the good and bad of yesterday. So, if you are pressed for time, go on to something else.
Many of you who are running your own small offices have probably had similar experiences. I am running a tiny P2P network in my solo office. I try to do tech work on days when we are closed since it is hard to lose a day of income in primary care. Yes, I could pay for more IT help, but I usually enjoy doing things myself and learning. I concur (as was pointed out to me) that it is always better to do upgrades when full support is available, but anyway, here we go...yesterday was the day.
I needed to upgrade my main computer. It runs both AC and my PM software, Lytec. I acquired the computer 2 months ago, and had done all of the preliminary set up, including the AC install. I decided to stay with version 6.3.3 since I know it is stable. Once I hooked it into the network, the two clients could not connect. I reasoned that it was a firewall issue, did the things I know how to do, but could not resolve it. I left a message for AC tech support. I had spoken with them ahead of time, and had been told that although most support staff would be off, "someone would be available". I left a message on voicemail for the "emergency" support, but now it it 24 hours later and no return call. Never fear, gentle reader, for another came to my aid. We'll get to my hero a little later in the story. Let me just say, though, that I have always paid for AC support and rarely use it, so the one time I really did need it, it failed me. And so, yes, about that price increase....
So, on we go to a new version of Lytec. I do use a local reseller who has always installed and supported Lytec for me. So, we began with the install yesterday morning. He had taken my database backup ahead of time, and converted it to the new version which worked fine on his machine. The install appeared to go normally, but, on trying to open the program, fatal error. You know that sinking feeling you get at that point. Well, this error was one that my reseller had not previously encountered. So, he checked with a couple of his buddies for solutions to no avail. It appeared to be some kind of SQL or database error. Now, the only option is to wait for McKesson tech support to reopen on Monday. Both AC and Lytec use SQL, although different versions, so we should have been OK. So, now is where the hero comes in. From this user board, I am acquainted with Mr SQL, as I call him. I enjoyed meeting and spending some time with him at the conference in Laramie sponsored by BestForYourPractice (you really should go to these, FUN as well as educational). You regulars know to whom I refer. I called him, and he remoted into my system, fixed the AC problem lickety-split. The Lytec one is more difficult, and requires some additional information regarding the the method of database attachment (as I understand it), so we will deal with McKesson on Monday.
I just want to say again what others have expressed, that this user board is the best thing about AC. I could not continue my solo practice without the friends, virtual and real, that I have met here. My hero, Mr SQL, could not have been more kind nor generous with his time and expertise over this holiday weekend. I am incredibly grateful.
So, a belated Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I am thankful for all of you who take time to share yourselves here.
And, yes, next time, I will plan to do things a little differently. Lesson learned.
