The MicroBiz installation will use a folder for local workstation settings (usually “BizWin”) and a folder for your system settings (usually “Business”). Whether you are setting up MicroBiz for the first time, or upgrading to a newer version, this chapter will cover your installation process.

MicroBiz can be installed via a download from our website at www.microbiz.com.

With v16 you can install MicroBiz to its default location provided you are installing for the first time, or directly over your current installation if you are upgrading.  It is no longer necessary to keep these folders on the root of your hard drive (C:\Business instead of C:\Program Files\MicroBiz\Business).  We have expanded many file path requirements that deemed it to be recommended to install MicroBiz to your root drive.

Installation Checklist

Before installing MicroBiz, there are a few things to prepare. Here is a brief overview of what will be covered for the checklist:

1. System Requirements

2. System Layout and Planning

3. Hardware Setup

4. Network Setup

System Requirements

The following requirements are given for using MicroBiz v16. It is HIGHLY recommended that users stick to these guidelines, as they have been thoroughly tested and are known to work well.

System Layout and Planning

Especially before a first-time setup, it's good know or to have an idea of your desired system layout. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Number of computers involved

• Roles of each computer (server, client, cashier, office, etc.)

• Network connections, and shared folders

• What hardware will be used ( pole display, cash drawer, receipt printer, report printer, etc. )

• When and where backups will take place

When installing and configuring your MicroBiz system, you may need to refer to this plan.

Hardware Setup

It is a good idea to have all of your hardware installed to your computer and working with Windows before attempting to configure their use with MicroBiz. At the very least, ensure that your computer meets the minimum requirements listed above, and that any hardware you will need to use right away is ready to go!

Network Setup

If you plan on using MicroBiz on more than one computer, then it is essential to have the network configured before you can setup MicroBiz. Configuring a Windows network is beyond the scope of this manual, but basically:

• The PCs must be able to communicate with each other over the LAN (you should be able to see them listed in Windows and view their shared resources).

• A share for the “Business” directory must be available over the network with full read and write permissions.

  • The Business folder is where all of your global data for MicroBiz is stored.

  • The Business folder itself should not be shared directly, but the directory “above” it should be shared instead (for example, if “Business" is found in C:\MicroBiz\ then the MicroBiz folder should be shared).

Installing MicroBiz for the first time

This section will provide a walkthrough for a fresh installation of MicroBiz. The walkthrough will cover installing the most commonly used module, “Standard Retail Business.” If installing a different module, just choose the desired option from the installation type menu.  Retail, Liquor, Bike are the 3 main installation types.  Service, Pet Shop, Marina/Boat Yard, and  RV can all be accessed by installing Retail.

Launch the MicroBiz installer by running the setup file that was downloaded from https://microbiz.com. Click Run on the Windows security screen.

If you see the Windows Security Check, please click Yes.

If you see the option, click Yes for brand new installation.

Click Next on the on the "Install for MicroBiz for Windows" Screen.

Choose the desired installation type from the list. This walkthrough is covering option 1 for a standard retail business. Click the Next button to continue.

Select the installation role from the list. Select the Demo Installation if you are only wanting to Demo the product.  Otherwise, choose the PC you wish to act as your server, if you only have one system, choose Single User / Standalone.  If you are going to install this on more than one station, choose your server, and when installing MicroBiz as the server select Central Station - Server Installation.  For the additional computers with MicroBiz, choose Sub Station - Client Installation.

Select the drive and directory where you would like to install the local files for MicroBiz. Leave this at the default directory if you do not need it in a specific hard drive or directory. Click Next to continue.

Select the drive and directory where you would like to install your system files for MicroBiz. Also leave this drive and directory to the default if you do not need it in a specific drive. Click Next to continue.  
**You will not see this page with a Sub Station - Client Installation.

Read through and accept the agreement. Click Next to continue.

The next two screens can be left at the default settings. Click Next to continue on each screen.

Check over the settings and make sure everything is correct before clicking Install to continue. The install process will start after clicking Install.

Click Finish to launch MicroBiz.
You should be presented with the MicroBiz Splash window. This window can be clicked on at any time to bypass the 3 second wait time before automatically opening MicroBiz.
 

The system will prepare your data files for the first time with a Housekeeping Routine, then follow up with a  “Reindex/Clean & Pack: All Files Above” routine. Once complete, click OK to continue.

You will most likely have to install the Keyblock driver at this point. If a message such as the one below appears, click on the Yes button. If not, proceed to Registering MicroBiz.

• Without the use of a Keyblock, the system will only be accessible in “Demo mode”

Once the Sentinel Protection Installer has loaded, click on the Next button to continue.

You must agree to the License Agreement to proceed. When ready, click on “I accept...” and then the Next button to continue.

Choose “Complete” and click on the Next button.
 Click on the Install button.
  

If firewall software is detected, you may be prompted with the screen shown below. It is recommended that you choose Yes here.

Once the Keyblock driver installation is complete, click on the Finish button to proceed.

If prompted with the message about your driver installation after clicking Finish, choose OK.

Registering MicroBiz

Following a new installation of MicroBiz, you will be prompted to register your software. This can be performed within 30 days of installation by calling MicroBiz Technical Support at 800-929-8324.

Registration must be completed within 30 days or you could find yourself locked out of MicroBiz and unable to use the system!

Reinstalling MicroBiz

Should you find the need to reinstall the same version of MicroBiz again (moving PCs, etc.), you can simply move your System Files folder (“Business”) to its new home and install MicroBiz right on top of that. For workstation-specific settings, there is an import utility within MicroBiz that can load your old configuration for you.

Once you have placed your MicroBiz folders in the correct place, this procedure will be just like installing a fresh copy (as outlined above).

For a single workstation or server, copy your Business folder to the root of the hard drive desired (to C:, for example).

When installing MicroBiz to this PC, just make sure to select the same drive letter to which you have copied your data.

To import your workstation settings from a previous installation of MicroBiz, your old Local Files (usually “BizWin”) folder must be accessible from the new installation. For example, you can copy it to the new computer under a different name, place it on a flash drive, access it over your network, etc.

From the MicroBiz Main Menu, choose Tools | Other Tools | Import Configuration Files.

*Alternatively, if you have a copy of your system settings through the Tools | Station Settings | Backup Settings option, you can use the restore tool to re-introduce your station settings.  Exit and re-open MicroBiz for these settings to take effect.

If you import configuration settings, follow these steps:

1. Choose Yes to continue (or No to cancel), then OK.
2. Locate and select the folder that contains your previous settings, then choose Select.

For a workstation that is not acting as the server (NOT single users), the Business folder should not be copied (the Business folder should exist on ONE PC ONLY).

Make sure to keep a second protected copy of your data some place other than the PC to which you are installing MicroBiz. This way, you can always redo the process if needed.  

Upgrading MicroBiz

Free upgrades are available to users with a current support contract. To get information about support contracts or to purchase an upgrade, please contact MicroBiz Sales at 800-929-8324.

Backup your data before upgrading MicroBiz!  This way, you can always redo the process if needed or restore completely to the way you were prior to the upgrade process.

If upgrading from a previous Windows version of MicroBiz, follow the Reinstalling MicroBiz section above. If you are using a version before 9.0, you may want to contact MicroBiz Support for assistance (call may be billable), just to ensure a smooth transition.  Make sure that your Business folder is on the root of the desired hard drive before upgrading!  For example, if MicroBiz is installed to the C: drive, then the path should be C:\Business and not C:\MicroBiz\Business (or any other subfolder).

If upgrading from a DOS version of MicroBiz, it is advised to perform a “fresh” installation.  Please ensure the folders MicroBiz uses are not already in place.  After installation, use the Import Old MicroBiz for Windows Data utility.  This can be found at Tools | Other Tools |  Import Old MicroBiz for Windows Data.