Automation of Simple Practice Backup

Medisoft includes a Task Scheduler to automate routing practice actions.  This portion of the tutorial will cover using the Task Scheduler to perform automated backups of the practice.  There are a few other options available with Task Scheduler, but to remain within the scope of this tutorial we will omit these items and focus only on using the Task Scheduler for backup purposes. 

 

Note: this will not backup certain portions of Medisoft (which can normally be recreated); this will only backup the essential practice data of the practices you select to schedule (mainly all the files, folders and tables in the practice folder under the Medidata root directory).

 

If you have any questions or do not feel comfortable performing these steps, please contact us for more information about the Task Scheduler.

 

  1. Open the practice
  1. Click 'File->Task Scheduler…'
                    

 

  1. The following 'Medisoft Task Scheduler' window will appear
                    

 

  1. Click the 'New' button
     
  1. Then click the 'OK' button to select the type as 'Backup'
                    

 

  1. Select the practice you want to backup from the 'Practice List'
                    

Then click the 'OK' button

 

  1. The following 'New Backup Task' window will appear
                    

Description = task description to identify in the Task Scheduler window

Select the days between backups, the time when you would like to have the backup run and the date to begin the automated backup routine

Destination = location of backup '.mbk' files that will be created

(task scheduler uses the mw[TodaysDate].mbk format for the file name automatically)

Password = optional password protection of the .mbk file

 

 

 

  1. Then click the 'Save' button to save your changes
                    

You will see your new task listed in the 'Medisoft Task Scheduler' window

 

Important Notes about Medisoft Task Scheduler

 

  1. Tasks in the Medisoft Task Scheduler will only run while an instance of the Medisoft Task Scheduler is running on a system which has access to the Medisoft database.  We recommend you setup the Scheduler on the server system, or a on a system you know will always be on, to run the tasks.  You can use the 'Open at Startup' check box in the lower right corner to have it start when windows starts and it will run in the system tray for that user.  You can also use free Microsoft utilities to create a service that runs the Medisoft Task Scheduler in the background and won't require a user to be logged in to run the program.  There are several methods to accomplish this task and we would be happy to assist you with setting one up if needed. 
  1. Medisoft Task Scheduler will only run one task at a time; you must allow for ample time between scheduled tasks to ensure each one runs on time.
     
  2. All users must be out of the Medisoft database for the backup to complete correctly.  You can use batch scripts and Windows task scheduler to restart the advantage service on the server to ensure users are all logged out before the backup is scheduled to begin.
     
  1. Each time a task runs the 'Last Run' column will update. You must open Medisoft Task Scheduler to check and verify when/if tasks ran as they were supposed to.  There may also be a 'View Error Log' button that appears in the top right corner, but only if errors have occurred that were recognized by Medisoft Task Scheduler.
     
  2. Relying on automation only saves you time and a few repetitive tasks; there is no such thing as a 'Set and Forget Backup Solution'!

Once an automated backup routine has been configured you will consistently want to:

  1. Check and verify the automated routine is performing on schedule and as expected
  2. Test-restore the backups to ensure that:
    1. corruption is not occurring with the backups
    2. You are aware of what the restore process will be
    1. You are aware of what will be available after a restore process has been completed

 

If you have any further questions or would like to know more about the Automation of Simple Practice Backup:


Email SupportSite@mdsco.com with a subject line 'More Information on Automation of Simple Practice Backup'


Please include the following information in the message body:

1. Company Name

2. Contact Name

3. Contact Number

4. Description of the question/issue


This will alert our Support Team and someone from the team will contact you about this request.

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