Backing up

All of TIM's call data is stored in one easy-to-manage file. It's a standard Microsoft Access Database file named calls.mdb located in the \calls subfolder. Simply copying this file ensures that all of your call data is stored away safely. There are two ways to backup your call data that are presented below.

Backing Up - Block Copy

Copying the calls.mdb file will backup your entire call database and leave the data in the system. It is used when you don't want to archive your data out of the database, but still want the peace of mind of knowing that there is another carbon copy of your call data should you need to draw upon it.

A block copy is simple to achieve. Select File from the menu at the top left hand side of the screen. Select the Save a Copy of Call Database As...

TIM will ask you what name you want to give to the saved file and where you want to save it. This is in the form of a standard dialog window:

Choose the location and name, then click Save.

You will be asked whether you want to compress the database before saving the file. Compressing the database results in a slight speed degradation when later importing the data back into TIM, although this is hardly noticeable with the specification of a modern PC.

Backing Up - Export

You can choose to export any selected data from your database into a special file. This file can then be imported back into any TIM system at a later date. The automatic archive function performs this type of backup on a predetermined period of calls (see later).

To export your data, choose the Export Calls... item from the File menu.

The following window appears asking you to select the date range of the calls you want to export:

Enter the start date and end date in the respective boxes, then click Export. If you want to export all calls from the database for importing into another TIM system, select the All calls currently in database option.

WARNING: The calls made and received during the period you selected will be deleted from the main database after being saved. You can import the calls back in at a later date or straight away to circumvent this.