Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Take-home back up

Just a thought, maybe someone has done this before: Instead of backing up data to a portable hard drive, can we back up the entire database into a laptop?
If so if I take the laptop home, can I modify (eg write new notes in AC) of it is read-only ?
I think this may solve the problem of remote access (we do not have to go through logmein, etc.)

Why not back it up to a thumbdrive or to a web server? I use a 8GB thumbdrive and also rely on a www.box.net account ($50 per year).

If I understand your question correctly, then you can back up your entire database onto a laptop, take it home, then copy it back onto your server the next day with all your data intact.

However, if anybody makes any changes to the database at your office while you are gone, then those changes will be lost unless you Synchronize (see also all the numerous posts on that subject).

I am using a Seagate FreeAgentGo, a tiny portable USB powered external hard drive, to do my take home backups. It can fit into your pocket, about the size of a wallet. I feel powered hard drives are more reliable than flash or "thumb" drives as far as data corruption prevention goes. Furthermore, the FreeAgentGo is 120BG, and they make larger cap ones. This far outperforms even the largest cap thumbs.

I also don't like how easily I lose thumb drives.

Off site backups are a good idea too.

Ya Adam, we use the firelites which are very similar in the same way. I started using them because they were out a year or two ahead of the ones you are using now. Every night, we make two copies, one stays on site in the fireproof, water proof safe box thing, and the other goes home with Nancy or I in one of the laptop bags. Loose the office we still have another perfect copy. Loose the house, same thing. And believe you me, once I know the kids are safe, the next thing I am grabbing are those laptops. They are right near the frontdoor every night.

Paul,
Consider downloading a free trial of BackUp Assist.
You might enjoy the automated feature of daily backups onto an external USB hard drive. It also gives the option of backing up to a FTP webserver, another computer, or any other media type.

You might like it. I use this to back up several scheduled things: my entire server, my Emedware (billing/scheduling program), and my AC folder. These are my mission critical files, so I back these up every single night.

The program is not very expensive, it's around $230. For protecting mission critical data, I think it's well worth the cost.
yours,

Thanks for all your responses. Has any of you ever accessed the database at home? If yes, is it fast or slow? I just think it would be faster with a laptop than with a hard drive. I think even if you connect the external hard drive to a PC, the PC may not able to read the data.
I thought of this topic because if you get an urgent call from hospital or patient and you need to look up something in A.C. from home. Methods like remote access (logmein, etc.) are not as fast.
I understand if you modify data from home (put in a new note,etc.) this new information might not go into the server if you do not synchronize it, so writing new note at home might not be a good idea. Anyway, able to access all data from home or anywhere with your laptop, if necessary, without having to connect a cable or going on line would be great.
I guess the answer to my question is yes, you can use a laptop as an backup device or a hard drive but I still have the question if you can easily access Amazing Charts database

Thanks

Question for Lauer: is this only one time cost or there is maintenance fee?
what is the web site?

thanks

Duke,
I simply back up my AC daily onto a thumbdrive (be sure to open the programs on your C drive and send AC to the thumb drive). I then take the thumbdrive home and load it into my computer at home. This works great; I use the AC for a reference for patient calls at home only. I do not add to it or download it back to my office computer.
Secondarily, I also use an HP Pocketdrive external hard drive for a backup at the clinic, but I leave it in a locked drawer at work.
When I go out of town, I download my AC via thumbdrive to my travel laptop.
Jim

Question for bcmd:
where do I find the posts on Synchronize ?
I tried to do a search and only the posts in the last two days

Thanks Jim,
that seems like a simple and very efficient solution. So that I understand you completely, I go to my computer, click on C drive, highlight the file containing Amazingcharts, right click and send the entire database to a thumbrive or a hard drive.
At home, I can just insert the drive to a PC or a laptop and will be able to access everything. Of course, the PC or the laptop has to have A.C installed, right ?

Sounds great, but does this take long to transfer to a thumbdrive?

Thanks Jim,
that seems like a simple and very efficient solution. Just to understand you perfectly, I would go to My Computer, click on C drive, highlight the program containing AmazingCharts, right click to send the entire database to a thumbdrive or a hard drive. At home or on the road, I just insert the drive into a PC or a laptop (of course, each has to have A.C. installed, right?)and load (copy and paste ?, send to a drive? )into the computer. Could you clarify on the load part.
Thanks you again

Yes, just plug in some nice USB harddrive, go to my computer, C drive, program files, AC and copy the entire AC folder to that other drive. Make a new folder and Name it something that will be understandable to you. We use things like "ACBU 2-1-08 Fri" without the quotes. ACBU for AC back-up. And now you're golden. We do that on two drives every night. I want to keep it simple and consistant for both of us here. I also make a separate folder now and again, with the back up files AC makes when you run Amazing Utilities. I have two copies of those one on each drive as well. That way the AC folder doesn't get too huge from all the extra back-up copies. I call it housekeeping. Keep the AC folder nice and tiddy. Bert even likes the idea of using those files as a back-up because AC itself has compressed them and set them up just the way AC likes them. So I keep those just in case. Hard drive space is cheap these days, so why not.

Duke:

To search for old topics, you have to find the little combo box at the bottom of the search screen and set it for something greater than one week (default).

The combo box looks something like this:
Just set it as "older than one year" to see the old Synchronization threads.

Basically, Bert concluded that the Synchronizer works fine as long as you only add data and don't delete anything.

Bert instead recommends using a program called SyncToy, which is free from Microsoft and performs synchronization flawlessly. I couldn't answer a basic setup question when I tried to install SyncToy, and so I am still using the Amazing Synchonizer. (sorry, Bert!)

This is the way that you synchronize your database.

Sit down at your "server". "The Server" is what we're going to call whichever computer contains your main AC database. Copy the "AmazingCharts" file from the Amazing Charts folder on the server.

Take the copied version to the laptop, over the network or via thumb drive. Paste the copied "AmazingCharts" file into the Amazing Charts folder on the laptop, replacing the laptop's "AmazingCharts" file. The laptop should now contain everything that your server database had in it.

Disconnect the laptop from the network. Go to the nursing home and chart, or go home and do your thing.

Return to the office, and re-connect your laptop to the local network. Reset the data pathway back to the Amazing Charts folder on the server database.

Sit down at the server. Open Administrative Options and Synchronize with the laptop. Now all computers should contain all the data, including anything you added to the database on the laptop.

All you guys backing up to thumb drives might consider reading this:

http://amazingcharts.com/ub/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=4584&page=1#Post4584

Make sure and click on the link for the IronKey video demo!

Wow, a backup thread without my knowing about it. I should first start by stating that it seems there are more opinions about how to do backups, than there are users on this board. Luckily, they don't all post.

It seems like your question is already answered but just a few comments:

First, if you think of what you are doing as the way it is set up in folder and NTFS permissions: Read only, Read/Write, Modify, Full control, etc. If you take the database home and use it ONLY as read only (I don't mean technicall set it up that way) just know you can't make changes. Now if you were going to use your laptop to go to nursing homes, etc. then it would be a different matter. Actually, I do what you are talking about every week. After syncing the database to my portable external drive using SyncToy (yes Brian, lol), I then have a local copy if I need info. Chances are it will all be there with the caveat that the patient you may need to look up is likely to be the one you saw that week.

From my perspective, (and I don't know what your needs are -- always good to specify that -- trying to write tons of notes from home, just need to look something up, etc.) the basic premise is that you are coming from the idea thta LogMeIn and other offsite connections are slow. I find LogMeIn to be fairly fast and RemoteDesktop, if you have XP and a static IP address at work to be even faster. You are mostly limited by the speed of your broadband connection. Again, though, if you are only needing to view data as you stated later in your thread, then LogMeIn or Remote Desktop is plenty fast enough.

Flash drives/Thumbdrives are all good. My friend just purchased IronKey -- it is awesome. I think you just need to be careful so you don't lose it somewhere.

I think since we are talking backups again, it is important to separate something we have never separated. If we are talking about backing up AC only, then grab the AC database or AC databases and take them home. I think that users on a P2P setup are more likely to be in that boat. If you are running a full-fledged server (no offense to anyone who is not), there is a greater tendency to centralize all data. So, for instance, my CRITICAL data is Amazing Charts, File Assistant Pro containing EVERY single piece of paper (now shredded) and files on every patient, eMedware with ALL billing and eMedware with all scheduling. Our archieved faxes both in and out are backed up nightly as well as all email on Exchange Server. ALL files on Sharepoint which is an intranet website page from SBS, which contains literally hundreds of crucial documents we use daily and EVERY file from each user which is contained on the server. So, my biggest thrust is to back up the server AND the entire server. I do both whole server backups and what I call modular backups using SyncToy to back up the big three: AC, FAP and Medware. I then back up the entire server weekly to take home. I won't go into the whole process which only Jim and Adam are aware of.

I never seem to hear on the boards the methods others use to back up their billing. Would you not be totally screwed if you lost that. I know I wouldn't be able to look my practice consultant, accountant or biller in the face if I lost that. Just wondering.

Duke, first when people mention external hard drives, they are referring to simply backing data which they can restore; not to access. I am not sure if anyone answered one of your questions, but yes, you would need the program at home. I think you idea of taking the data, daily or weekly for that matter and putting it on your laptop so you can access from anywhere is a good idea. You just can't write to it. It doesn't matter if changes are made at the office as long as you simply take the office databases or AC folder to laptop each time and not vice-versa. So, if in the car with no way of connecting to your server at the office, your idea is great. For home, GoToMyPC or LogMeIN or RDP is PLENTY fast unless you are using Dial-up.

As far as FTP site. This is simply File Transfer Protocol which is one of the ways which is used to move files via the web. Any site can have FTP. Most hosted sites, if not all, allow you to FTP to that site. You can use FTP programs such as cuteFTP to do this. You can also use subscription sites such as iBackup.com or Carbonite.com to move files to a site. The offsite backup on here is basically FTP.

As far as moving files to a thumbdrive, the time it takes depends on the size of the file/folder and the speed of the connection. Most thumbdrives or any USB connection uses USB2.0 and, therefore, moves data at around 480Mb per second. Most AC users will have less than 100Mbs of patient data, and I can safely say your backup would probably take around 20 to 30 seconds. UNLESS, of course, you try to back up your entire Imported Items folder.

SyncToy, a free download from Microsoft, is a good option for backing up. I am not at liberty to say how easy it is sicnce I would offend Brian. I think the newest version is slightly less intuitive than the older one. But, I find it way more intuitive then the sync program in AC.

I personally can't recommend the sync option in AC as it still has issues with what was done last. I posted on this at length but, in short, if you have ten medications and go out and delete all of them on purpose at a nursing home, when you sync, they will all be back.

It is ironic how these posts go and where they lead. I have the benefit of posting last (so far). But, the original question was, "Is it a good idea to back up to a laptop at home and use it there?

Answer:

Great idea as long as you use it as a 1) backup and 2) read only.

Duke,
go to BackUp Assist and click the "download free trial" or go to BackUp Assist Downloads.

This is a free trial. I think you'll love it. Bert and I do.
It's only $230 to buy, a one time fee, not a subscription service. It's WELL WORTH the cost since it's completely automating any or all backups, as many as you want.

Duke,
Bert talked about RemoteDesktop, or the full abreviation is RDP (remote desktop protocol). I use this feature DAILY. I have exactly what you are looking for:

I use a laptop via secure wireless access point at the office, and take the SAME laptop home with me and do work from home. While I sometimes use LogMeIn to get access to files on my desktop at work, I am using RDP to link the laptop to my office network from home, or from ANYWHERE in the country where I have internet access. AND, it's secure from ANYWHERE.

However in order to have this security, it requires a fixed IP address which you can obtain from your local ISP, internet service provider. I subscribe to cable internet service from my ISP, at reasonable cost, and lease a fixed IP address.

In this manner, I do not have to worry about copying ANY data to the laptop (therefore won't inadvertently ruin my data with the Sync utility discussed above). I am literally connected to the network, securely from home, so that I can work from my bed.

Yes, that's my goal, work from bed when possible. Bert hates me for it, but he needs to get a laptop. I wake up at 5:30AM, reach over to my laptop from bedside stand, log in via RDP, take care of faxes, charts, etc that accumulated over night, or deal with things I did not have energy to complete the night before. I get showered and ready to work, arrive to office by 6:30AM and see patients starting at 7AM.

RDP and fixed IP address offers the best of both worlds....NOT screwing up the database by risking the syncronise utility, and securely logging in via remote access (hospital, nursing home, or home) and opening AC from your desktop which is linked to your office network. IT'S REALLY AWESOME.

@BERT, one small correction, you can RDP with Windows XP Pro, OR Windows Vista Business or Ultimate versions. I am using Vista Business edition.

While this may seen complicated to set up, it really isn't that hard. It was tough for me because I have an extremely secure hardware firewall in my office which blocks all incoming data requests to keep out hackers. So I had to open some ports on the Cisco PIX 501 firewall in order to allow my own access from outside to the inside of the network. This took some work.

Please consider the above option with RDP, as I think it provides everything you are hoping to achieve.

Hi Adam,
Thanks for recommending the FreeAgentGo harddrive
I got two today at Fry's and was able to transfer the entire AC database (about 11 G)to one drive over 30-40 minutes. (Hopefully next times will be shorter) At home I connected it to a laptop and able to access A.C. I am not intending to modify the data, just to read.

I also tried to transfer A.C. into a laptop using a transfer cable. It is not as easy to do as with the FreeAgentGo portable drive. I managed to get it going, but after one hour and a half the transfer was not finished and I had to quit. I had no idea it could take that long. Guessing the FreeAgentGo has two USB connectors so it is faster. I will try to transfer directly to the laptop again when I have more time.

Wow, I'm not sure why that it taking so long to transfer. My AC foler is about 500MG, and took 25 seconds to transfer. Therefore, should take 20 times longer for 11GB (or only about 8-9 minutes).
Duke,
Did you make a folder for AC on the FreeAgentGo?
Did you simply drag and drop into the FreeAgentGo?
Did you have BOTH USB cables plugged in from the Y-cable that came with the FreeAgentGo? (one is actually a power cable, the other is the transfer cable). It CAN operate from a single transfer cable, but it's drawing power AND sending data over that one calbe, thereby slowing transfer speeds SUBSTANTIALLY.
Always use the Y-cable that came with the FreeAgentGo if you are not already doing so.

I don't know why the transfer to your laptop took 90minutes. The transfer speed over your network is expectantly slower than the USB speed of the FreeAgentGo. I'm assuming 10/100MB network speeds. Even still, it could take several minutes, but NOT hours.

At that rate you could enter the data all over again and be faster.

Look into the RDP option, you'll love it's flexibility and security. Test it out this way: from WITHIN your office network, go to Start Menu-->Programs-->Administrative Tools-->Remote Desktops. Then type in the inside network address of the desktop you are trying to connect to (usual defaults are within the scope of 192.168.1.2-192.168.1.249. Your firewall (assuming you have one) is usually 192.168.1.1. Your server (assuming you have one) is usually 192.168.1.2. Your desktops would likely be some number higher, 192.168.1.3 or greater. Then log in using your local username and password. This gives you a flavor for what RDP looks like and how it functions. You can try it later from home if you have a fixed IP address. Simply type in your fixed IP address instead the inside network addresses to remotely connect into your server.

This process would eliminate the need to download anything onto your laptop, thus saving you significant time. Thereby only backing up onto your FreeAgentGo (it's pretty cool device isn't it, very small and portable).
yours sincerely,

I downloaded and ran the SyncToy installer again today. It gave me this:

"This set up requires the .NET framework version to .0.50727. Please install the .NET framework and run this set up again. The .NET framework can be obtained from the Web. Would you like to do this now?"

I told it yes, and was sent to this website:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa731542.aspx

I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to download from that site, so I have stuck with Amazing Charts Synch.

Response to Adam,
Yes, I did have both USB plugged in and No, I did not make a folder for A.C. in the FreeAgentGo. I am not sure about that. I simply highlighted the A.C. file, right click to Send the Whole thing to the hard drive. The database in the FreeAgentGo is completely accessible. Am I missing something here? What difference does it make to make a folder as opposed to just send the entire A.C. file to the hard drive ?
I am currently use it as read-only as I am not ready to synchronize the two systems yet. The RDP option you described seems a great way for the advanced users like yourself. Average guys like me would probably need some help from a professional. A have a good one, but he charges by hours so I try to have more than one projects for him whenever he comes by.
Thanks again for recommending FreeAgentGo from Seagate. I have tried backing up to a WD hard drive, but found the database not easily accessible.

Duke,
I suspect that you and I use our AC in a similar fashion; I stongly believe in the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle whenever possible.
As I mentioned earlier, I download my AC from my C drive to an external hard drimve (HP Pocketdrive) daily.
This little hard drive is only 3 by 4 by 3/4 inches, but this is still a bit bulky and I leave it as a backup in a locked drawer in my securtiy system protected office. I then download the my AC from my C drive onto a cheap little thumbdrive and put it into my pocket and take it home. Every night I download the thumbdrive onto my home computer and use it as a read only reference for patient calls I receive at home.
I occassionaly download my Pocketdrive to my travel laptop just to make sure that my system is working properly (always has so far). I take my laptop with me on trips to keep up with e-mail etc.; it is nice to have my current AC available in case I receive a patient call.
I recently lost my phone data from a malfunctioning Palm Pilot and this has taught me that I do not want to, at any cost, lose my AC data. To summarize, I have my current AC backed up on a daily basis to an external hard drive, a thumbdrive, and my home computer. I also have AC backed up at least weekly on my travel laptop. My office computers were all purchased new four months ago(desktop server and three client laptops) and are networked with hardwiring and wireless by my IT guys at OTC. They are used exclusively for AC and nothing else. My office computers have never been connected to the Internet and I do my upgrades by downloading them onto my home computer and then onto my cheap little thumbdrive. I then download them on to each office computer. I realize that seems a little over cautious, but it works well for me and, most of all, it is simple.
Best,
Jim
PS. Please check out the Wish List Board.
We are putting together a first ever AC Conference in June and, so far, Bert, Adam, Brian, Leslie and even Jon himself will be there. We anticipate there will be many more as the dates become finalized. This would be a great opportunity to tap into some real AC expert minds.

Brian- you might wish to download the x86 version of the .net framework. If you check out CNET.com, it's the most downloaded .net software-

http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?tg=dl-20&qt=microsoft%20.net%20framework&tag=srch

Hi Jim,
I agree that we have very similar set up. I have two desktops, one of which is a server, and two working laptops. I back up A.C. into 2 portable harddrives, one of which to be taken home. My A.C. database currently is about 11 GB (guessing from several lab reports, imaging reports per patient; each has to be scanned as PDF format and imported to A.C.) I am not aware of any thumbdrive with such large capacity. What is the size of your database ?

While I am a fan of backing up data, prior to March 2007 all of my charts were paper, without a back up. One fire or flood and POOF!!!, gone forever! I must have an underdeveloped sense of paranoia. Most of the people who are out to get me say so. You know who you are!

Sorry ;{

I back up AC databases twice daily to all hard-wired computers. I use SyncBack SE (free).

Twice daily the AC databases are backed up to my home network using LOGMEIN BACKUP. Encrypted with multiple copies. $39/yr.
Each night, all IMPORTED ITEMS, all other scanned records, office documents, etc... are backed up to my home network.
The initial back up may take a while. My IMPORTED ITEMS was 2 GB. Each daily back up is incremental and fast.
Back up frequency could be HOURLY if desired.
I guess the only thing that could slow me down would be a catastrophe at my home AND office in which case I'll probably be too busy taking care of the sick and wounded to care about chart review and if their preventive health targets have been met.

I access my network from out of the office using LOGMEIN (FREE). Speed is certainly not the same as being there, but I access for every phone call, and am satisfied with the speed. (I couldn't get Leaf network to work) I write a note for each phone encounter, CPT 99371,99372,99373 (Reimbursement $0.00, $0.00, $0.00).
Takes minutes, any prescriptions are faxed directly from my office network while on the phone.

I am currently working on scanning ALL remaining charts and shredding them. The office staff love to shred things.

I may use the chart room for donkey bowling when it's empty.
I think it's too small for hockey.

All that being said, eleven plus months, 2700+ patients, thousands of encounters, and I haven't needed to access a single back up....yet. (Told you I was working on my paranoia)

Bill,

I can supply you with the donkeys when you get your chart room cleaned out. Sounds like you are doing a great job of using AC. I still have not made the jump to totally paperless but I am giving it more and more consideration.

Leslie

On the subject of scanning. If I decided to digitalize my over 5000 active charts, what would be a good choice for selecting a scanner? Anybody have a recommendation? Remember, I am basically cheap.

Leslie

Leslie:

The Fujitsu ScanSnap is a great little scanner, and inexpensive.

We had a good discussion on this last month:

http://www.amazingcharts.com/ub/ubb...say&topic=0&Search=true#Post4415

Adam Lauer is doing a lot of scanning, but I can't remember if he mentioned what kind of scanner he is using.

Duke, I read your post, and I am wondering why it took you so long as well. The transfer to your Seagate, if done by a USB 2.0 cable would be rather fast at 480MBs. It would be helpful if you could tell us what type of cable you used between your "server" and your laptop. Generally, you would require a crossover cable and you cannot use a noraml Ethernet Cat5e patch cable. If you do not have this, you would need a hub or switch but preferably a switch. Your speed will also be determined by your Adapters as they will run at the lowest Mbs rate, i.e. 10Mbs vs 100Mbs. If you already have the data on the Seagate, why not trasnfer it to your laptop via the same USB 2.0 cable? Or, use the vaunted thumb drive.

RDP is a rather simple way to connect remotely, but it can be a little tricky to set up. You would need a static IP (generally), and if you are using a firewall, you will need to set up certain ports. You would probably be better off using the free versionn of LogMeIn.

@Brian This comment, as all on here, is in black and white, so please don't take it as a criticism. In general, I would pretty much do what Microsoft recommends when they recommend it. The download there would have been the non-SDK one and x86. .NET Framwork is a programmer's best friend. Microsoft created .NET to help with 3rd party programs. It is basically a large selection of code, which allows programmers to use the code that Microsoft has already written rather than having to write the code themselves. So, any program which is written to take advantage of .NET, will not install if the version it needs is not available. Microsoft continues to update its .NET versions, and I believe they are at 3.5 now. However, some programs still require previous versions.

If you do Microsoft Updates either manually or automatically, Microsoft will usually detect if you do not have the latest .NET and will encourage you to download it. I would recommend that you do. If you get a chance, update your computer to the latest .NET framework, and SyncToy will be a snap to install. You may not need it, but it would be fun to get your take on it.

Brian,

Thanks. I tried to search for the thread on scanning but could not find it. I have looked at the ScanSnap but it is always nice to hear from people actually using it.

Leslie

Leslie:

Here is the Amazon.com link for my scanner:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RUOW66/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

It gets 4.5 out of 5 stars with some excellent reviews. Now, I haven't scanned 5,000 charts with it yet, so I can't speak to endurance, but it's a very neat little scanner, and it's a third of the cost of some high-volume scanners.

Thanks for the info, Bert.

The night I was working on synchronization, I hit this .NET version question and had to stop. That night, I could not perform a backup on my computer (don't ask), and did not wish to risk crashing my computer installing something I didn't understand.

This forced me to use Amazing Synch the next morning, which I have continued to use, despite its limitations (I appreciate your work in delineating those limitations -- that has saved me some heartache).

I have "Try SyncToy" on my (long) list of things to do - honest!

Brian,

Thanks for the explanation. As stated in a thread sometime around this time, you can always set a restore point before downloading anything which is daunting.

As much as everyone questions and sometimes despises the Big Giant, Microsoft, the safest things to download and install are from Microsoft. This is one of those never say never or never say always type of advice, so I hope everyone doesn't deluge me with all sorts of arrows.

It would be interesting to run a Windows Update and see if it shows any updates regarding .NET.

Brian,
I would have to agree with Bert. His advise is sound. Do the Windows update. Install the .NET.

Duke,
My database is only 204 MB.
The reason is that I started this practice in September and started AC almost immediately. I initially did very little scanning and now scan in specialists' referral letters, EKGs and the patients' pictures (low resolution to conserve space).
Currently, I only have 288 individual patients on my AC.
We are responsible for 462 full time OTC employees and their dependents and will likely add an additional 600 part time employees and their dependents within the next 12 months.
I cannot imagine the work involved transferring patient records from my former practice. I think that I would be tempted to transition slowly (at annual physical time) into the the EMR, keep the paper records active for a few years and then store them.
Jim

Jim,

Are you saying that your AmazingCharts.mdb database is 208 MB? After three years of two doctors using the program for 50 visits per day, our database was 60 MBs. Are you referring to the ImportItems as well.

This isn't an attempt at questioning you or trying to change anything, I am just curious.

Your friend,

It's probably the addition of pictures. Graphic files cause back end bloat really quickly. The change to MS SQL should help some, but unless the picture is really critical, one has to be careful in what information you feed your MS Access backend.

On the good news end, you can now purchase a terabyte hard drive for about $300. I expect we'll soon have terabyte thumbdrives in the near future... ;^)

That would mean in ~ four years (if we kept the Access database), the limit of Access would be reached.