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Backing up POSIM Database

It is important to back up the database for the sake of your business. In the case of data loss or hard drive failure, you will have a recent copy of your database to fall back on. POSIM is built on the robust Sybase database, but every database is subject to failure. Be safe and backup.

Terms to Know

  • POSIM.DB: This file, found in the POSIM folder, is the name of the POSIM database. It is in this file that all the data is stored. It is essential that this file is backed up often.
  • POSIM.Log: This file, also found in the POSIM folder, is a security file that is automatically created by POSIM. This file contains an encrypted copy of all transactions that are posted to the POSIM Database. Its main purpose is to help you restore your data in the case of a database failure. In essence, this file is read back into the last matched POSIM.db.

Relationship between POSIM.db and POSIM.log

When a POSIM.log file is removed, POSIM automatically starts a new POSIM.log. This new log records, as a beginning point, the last transaction posted to the database. If nothing else is entered into that database the log file and database are matched. The database that is matched to the new log file is usually the backed copy. If the database is duplicated onto another media (backed up) it becomes the matched partner to the new log file. The new log records new transactions that are being made into the active POSIM.db. If anything happened to active POSIM.db, recovery would be made by reading the log file into it’s matched ( backed up) database. (See tech note on database recovery using log file.)

Therefore, after backing up the database and log file, you need to throw the old log file away so POSIM will start a new one. The log file will only be compatible with the database it was backed up with. The new log file will record all the transactions until the next backup process.

Proper steps for backing up

The most common backup procedure is to copy the database and log file onto a Zip Drive or other backup media. In order to secure the backup, it is suggested that you use 7 daily backup disks, a month end disk, and a year-end disk.

  • Mark the daily disks, one for each day of the week. These will be used in a rotating cycle. Use the respective disk for each day. You will always have the 6 previous days to fall back on in case of a problem.
  • Many people follow the same pattern as explain above for a month end backup. They use 12 disks named for each month end. These are rotated throughout the year.
  • It is imperative that you back up the whole system at year-end. This is essential for tax and audit purposes.

POSIM Tools for backing up

  • Utils- Backup Database – This tool is located in the Utils module.
  • Backing up Database from Utils Module:
    • Open Utils, then choose Backup Database from the File menu.
    • Next, choose proper a directory for placement of the backup. This will normally be the removable drive.
    • Then click Backup Now.
    • A terminal box will pop up and start running the backup.
    • When the backup is complete click OK.