Quick answer
HandiSoft keeps client data in a central data folder. To share it, put that folder in one place every PC can reach, point each workstation to the same path (a mapped drive or a UNC path like \\server\HandiSoft), and give staff the right read/write permissions. Back up the data folder before you move anything, and make sure the firewall isn't blocking file sharing between PCs.
HOW IT WORKS
One shared data folder, many workstations.
HandiSoft separates the program (installed on or shared to each PC) from the data (your clients, returns and practice records). For an office to work from the same information, that data folder lives in one central location — typically on a server or a shared folder on a main PC — and every workstation is configured to point at it. Problems almost always trace back to one thing: a PC that can't reach that folder, or reaches it by a different path or without enough permission to write to it.
HOW TO SHARE OR MOVE IT
Do it in this order.
- Back up the data folder firstBefore you touch anything, copy the entire HandiSoft data folder to a separate safe location (not the same drive). This is your safety net — if a move goes wrong or something is missed, you can restore in minutes.
- Find where the data actually livesConfirm the current data path from within HandiSoft. Everyone needs to end up pointing at one central copy, so it helps to know exactly which folder is the real, in-use data set before you share or relocate it.
- Put the data in one reachable placeHost the data folder on a server or main PC that stays on during business hours, and create a network share for it. The rule that matters: the data folder must be reachable by every PC that runs HandiSoft, all day.
- Set permissions correctlyStaff who use HandiSoft need read and write (modify) access to the shared data folder — read-only isn't enough, and the program can throw errors or refuse to save. Check both the share permissions and the NTFS/security permissions on the folder; the more restrictive of the two wins.
- Point every PC to the same pathDecide on one path and use it everywhere. A mapped drive (like S:\HandiSoft) is friendly for staff; a UNC path (like \\server\HandiSoft) avoids the classic problem of a drive letter failing to map at login. Mixing the two across PCs is a common cause of "can't find data" issues.
- Check the firewall and networkFile and printer sharing must be allowed between the workstations and the server/host PC. If a firewall (Windows or third-party) is blocking it, a PC will simply fail to see the share. Also make sure the machines are on the same network and the host stays powered on.
- Test from every workstationOpen HandiSoft on each PC and confirm it opens the shared data, and that you can open and save a record. Have a couple of people in at once to check there are no locking or permission surprises in day-to-day use.
- Keep versions in stepAll PCs should run the same HandiSoft version against the shared data. If you've just moved or shared the install, confirm every workstation is up to date so an old copy doesn't conflict with the data set.
Never move live HandiSoft data with the program open. Copying or relocating the data folder while anyone still has HandiSoft running risks a half-copied, inconsistent or corrupted data set — potentially across your whole client list. Get everyone out of the program, take a fresh backup, do the move, then test before letting staff back in. Practice data is not something you want to be restoring from memory.
