Activate key file

All versions of FF&EZ will operate in a limited "demo" mode unless a legitimate key file is detected and activated. Your key file is provided at the time of purchase (usually via email) and this function is used to activate it. Activation is only needed one time for any particular FF&EZ database.

To activate, save the key file you received to an accessible location on your PC. If you have run FF&EZ at least once, you will find a folder called "FF&EZ-Import" beneath your personal "documents" folder and this is the most convenient place to save the file. Then run this utility and follow the simple instructions.

Update reports

From time to time, new reports will be created for FF&EZ and existing ones may be updated. Additionally, FF&EZ has been designed to allow the addition of custom reports designed specifically for you. This function will be used to update or add reports to the system.

Install Plug-ins

Plug-ins are special forms, custom programming or optional subsystems that add extra functions to FF&EZ. FF&EZ will recognize and activate them automatically once it "sees" them, which is what this utility does.

Run a special form

Occasionally, a client needs a special function for a one-time data conversion or other purpose that is not needed on a main screen. This button will allow you to access a custom function of this type. Due to the special nature of this type of option, we do not recommend that you try to "run" anything without specific instructions.

Rebuild SQL views

FF&EZ uses a set of saved data extraction commands to supply data to its screens and reports. This function will rebuild these in the event of a data structure change or other issue that might be affected by an out of date view set. However, this function is normally triggered automatically when a new version is installed, so this would be rarely used under normal circumstances.

Optimize Image Files

This utility resizes images downward, reducing the pixels in them. It should only be used if you are experiencing problems with generating PDF files containing images—specifically if the images are distorted. This issue only appears with high-resolution images on very long PDF files. 

Backup Database

This utility will create a backup of the entire FF&EZ database, with or without the associated image files, into a standard compressed archive file (zip format). The utility also has an option to include all support files including the most recent installer. If you store these backups on another device it makes it possible to create backups that allow recovery from a complete hardware failure.

Refresh table indexes

This command rewrites all the indexes used in the system. Doing this every few months will make sure that the indexes (and therefore, the system) work as efficiently as possible. The File Cleanup option below includes this as part of its process.

Create external Data Set backup command

The utility creates a permanent command file (also known as a "batch" file) on your Desktop that copies all newer files in the data set to a location of your choice, creating a complete backup command that can be automated with the Windows "Task Scheduler."

Update software

This utility handles the installation of a software update.  When an update is available, you will be supplied with a link to download the update file.  This utility will use that file to load the update and run the new workstation installer.

File cleanup

This function is used to remove old data and compact the database. It is more useful on systems with a large amount of data that are running over networks. We strongly advise that you make a backup of your entire database prior to running this command (see "Backup Database" above).

Migrate / Replace Existing Data Set

This command should never be used without explicit instructions from technical support. It replaces your current data set with that of a previous version of FF&EZ or a backup (that is, after ample prompts to confirm your intent, it removes any data currently in your system). This is primarily used to migrate the data from older versions of FF&EZ into an empty version 3.x  or 4.x data structure and would not necessarily be used after that.

Due to heavy data verification requirements, a migration may take some time to finish. Although a small database may only take a few minutes, longer times are typical for larger ones. After the first large table is processed, the system will display an approximate time when the process will complete.

If you are running FF&EZ over a network, we strongly recommend that a migration be performed using a copy of the FF&EZ software installed on the server itself, not using a workstation, since the processing will be much faster.