Accountz Online Backup and Recovery
Introduction
The Accountz Online Backup and Recovery feature enables you to utilise our online service to safely and securely backup and access your accountz data.
Please note, this is NOT a multi-user functionality, and therefore to avoid any potential loss of data, users are advised not to update the same data on different computers simultaneously.
Connecting to the Online Backup and Recovery service for the first time
Connecting to the Online Backup and Recovery service for the first time is achieved via the Online Backup Settings wizard (File>Online Backup Settings). This component will launch automatically when you licence your software.
- In the ‘Online Backup’ screen, click ‘Yes (setup or re-enable the service)’, and click ‘Next’ to continue.
1a. If you have not previously created an Accountz Online Services Profile, you will be prompted to do so at this point. Please follow the on screen instructions to do this.
- At this point you will be prompted to accept the Accountz Online Backup service Terms of Use. If you are happy to do so, check the ‘I agree to the terms of use’ box, and click ‘Continue’.
- The next screen, marked ‘Action’, details the options selected thus far. Click ‘Finish’ to complete the wizard.
Your data will now be automatically backed up online every 30 minutes (by default), and upon closing the software.
Restoring from the Online Backup and Recovery service to a second computer
To restore an Online Backup to a separate installation of Business Accountz, please follow these steps (please also note, you will not need to licence the new installation):
- Download and install the software relevant to your operating system from the link below:
- Run the software, then select ‘Restore a Backup’ from the ‘File’ main menu. If this option is not available, please ensure that you are running the latest version of Business Accountz by clicking ‘Help>Check for Updates’ in the main menu.
- In the ‘Restore a Backup’ screen, select ‘Choose from a list of available restore points (including online backups)’. Click ‘Next’ to continue.
- In the ‘Accountz Online Services Subscriber?’ screen, select ‘Yes’. Click ‘Next’ to continue.
- Enter your email address and password. Click ‘OK’ to continue.
- In the ‘Available Restore Points’ screen, click on the backup you wish to restore from the ensuing list (once selected, the backup will be highlighted in blue as per the above screenshot). Click ‘Next’ to continue.
- Click ‘Finish’ to complete the restoration process.
Warning Messages
No Internet Connection
Should the user’s internet connection drop out at any point whilst using the software, the above pop-up message will appear.
The user can continue to use the software, and any changes will be saved locally.
This message will continue to pop up regularly while the computer is disconnected from the internet. To suppress this message, tick the ‘Do not show this message again for the rest of the day’ check box.
When the software detects that the internet has been restored, the data will be backed up to the online backup service.
Data Conflict
Occasionally, the user may see the above pop-up message. This may occur if the user has accessed the same data on two computers, or if the user is attempting to restore an older version of the project than stored online.
At this point the user must choose carefully from the following three options:
- Take the online version – this will restore the latest version of this data from the online backup service (and overwrite the version on your computer)
- Upload your version – this will upload the data located on your computer and overwrite the data online
- Continue (Read Only) – this will not touch the data either on your computer or online. The user can use the application for viewing purposes in read-only mode
Similarly, the user will see the above pop-up message if he or she has edited the data on their computer, and the system detects upon closing the software that a newer version of the data is already stored online.
Should this occur, the user will need to choose from the following two options:
- Upload your version – this will overwrite the data stored online with this version of your data
- Cancel Online Backup – choosing this option will mean the changes you have made are retained on this computer, but they will not be saved to the online backup service. The next time you start the software you will be offered the three choices detailed in the first pop-up message above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I reset my password?
A: Users can reset their password for free by using the Accountz OnlineService website, accessible via the Help menu (Help>Reset Online Services Password), and via this link.
Q: Can two computers access the same data file at the same time?
A: The online backup service is NOT a multi-user functionality, and therefore to avoid any potential loss of data, users are advised not to update the same data on different computers simultaneously.
Q: If I buy a second Accountz Online Backup and Recovery service can I use the same email address?
A: No. Each copy of the Accountz Online Backup and Recovery system that you purchase will need a separate email address.
Q: What if I lose access to my email address?
A: You are able to purchase an email re-set service from Accountz.com for a fee.
Q: Can my accountant have access to my online backup?
A: It is entirely up to you who you give access of your private information to and solely your responsibility.
Q: What happens if my internet dips out and I am temporarily disconnected?
A: The program will inform you if it can not connect to the online backup service but will continue to perform local backups as normal. When your internet connection returns then the program will perform a sync to the online backup service at the next available opportunity.
Q: Can I purchase a replacement Business Accountz Online Backup service key?
A: Yes, there is a small administrative fee for this service. Please see Accountz Online Backup and Recovery Terms & Conditions
Q: Will any firewall software that I use affect my being able to use Accountz Online Backup and Recovery?
A: If you are running Accountz Online Backup and Recovery and you employ a firewall program on your computer then you will need to set up a rule to allow the Accountz application to contact the internet. This will prevent your firewall program from repeatedly asking you for permission when the Accountz application performs a sync.
Q: How many backups are stored online?
A: See section 1.2, here: Accountz Online Backup and Recovery Terms & Conditions
Q: What will happen when my Online Backup Service is due to expire?
A: Accountz will send an email a month before it’s due to expire advising you that the online backup service will expire in a month. If you wish to continue with the service then you can purchase a new licence on the Accountz website or via the telephone.
Q: What will happen if my Online Backup Service has expired?
A. If you don’t renew the Online Backup service, the software will automatically cease performing backups online. It will keep creating local backups. If you wish to re-activate the service, you can purchase a new licence key on the Accountz website or via the telephone.
Q: How many computers can I access my Accountz Online Backup from?
A: You can access your data from the Online Backup and Recovery service on as many computers that your software product is licenced to. Please see the EULA: www.accountz.com/accountz/end-user-licence-agreement
Q: I make backups on a USB memory stick/external drive, why do I need it?
The Accountz Online Backup Service safeguards your data in the event of you losing your USB memory stick/external drive or it becoming corrupted.
Further Resources
Please see the following links: