Tabs3 Backups: Creating a Table List

Tabs3 Backups: Creating a Table List

When connecting to TABS3, there are a few different database servers that may be used.  To determine the correct database system, open the TABS3 System Configuration Utility:



Then click Help > About System Config.


You will then see something like this which indicates the version.



NOTE: There are three different versions: Non-Platinum, Platinum, and Platinum SQL.

This Support article from TABS3 may be helpful:

Non-Platinum

Initialize ODBC for Each Application

Log into the TABS3 Application (Billing, Practice Master, Trust Accounting, etc) and select Utilities > Initialize [Application] ODBC.



Once you do, a dialog will appear like the following:

 
Make a note of the filename and path that is generated. You can press CONTROL+C to copy the contents of the dialog so you don't have to hand-copy the path.  Rename the file to 'ALL_TABLES.DB'.
 
Make all paths absolute (see image below) and also add references to:
StAccess.dat
StConfig.dat
StEmxRef.dat
StSupprt.dat
StUser.dat
 
When you are done, you'll have a file that looks similar to this:


Now, on the TABS3 server open up Services.msc
Then stop all "STI" Windows Services on the Tab3 server (there may be 2 services but sometimes there are none.)
Convert the database.
 

Configure ODBC

Install the FairCom ODBC Drivers
  1. Open ODBC Data Sources (32-bit)


  2. Click Add:


  3. Select the FairCom driver and click Finish:
 
4. Create new 32-bit ODBC Data Source
  • Data Source Name: COMPLETE.DB (The name of the ODBC source. The name can be anything you will remember)
  • Script Name: ALL_TABLES.DB (Name of the tables list you created without the path)
  • Data Dictionary Path: E:\Data\STI\ (path to the Folder where the ALL_TABLES.DB file is located.)
  • Special Data Type Conversion DLL:  E:\Data\STI\ot_usr32.dll (This DLL is required and critical)
  • Sector Size: 64
  • Alignment: 1 byte

Platinum

Open up ODBC32
Add a new FairCom ODBC Driver:
Use the following settings: 
 
Paths will need to be changed.
The Data Dictionary Path should be the folder that contains the ALL_TABLES.DB file you created previously.
 

Platinum SQL

Log into the TABS3 server
Open the Tabs3 "System Configuration" app.
Click Platinum > Initialize SQL
Click Platinum > Initialize SQL Profiles
Install the Drivers from E:\Data\STI\SQL_ODBC
 
Open up ODBC32
Add a new connection:
CTREE/ACE ODBC Driver
Database=TABS3
UserID= Tabs3 Username and password IN ALL UPPERCASE
Service: 6597
Preserve Cursor: OFF
Char Set: Ascii or ISO8859-1 (CP1252)
Options: DHQQII
 

Two Ways to Connect

Depending on the TABS3 environment the customer is using, there are two different ways to connect.
If they have a dedicated TABS server with "STI" Windows services, then they are likely using the "FairCom Platinum SQL" version of Tabs.  If not, then they are likely using the "FairCom CTREE" version of tabs.
 

Convert the Database

Once you have the table list, you should convert the database to MSSQL format using your preferred tool. Full Convert is an excellent tool for this task.  

Prior to converting the database, you will need to stop two services running on the Tabs server (see image below).

  • STI Director Service
  • STI Server Service

ALERT: This will stop users from being able to access tabs until the services are restarted. Be sure the firm is aware of this.


 

Once the database has been converted to MSSQL, be sure to restart the services shown above so users can resume using Tabs.

Once the database is converted, you may use the Universal Migrator to perform the data backup.

 

 

 


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