A TourWriter installation includes a database (central data store) and any number of TourWriter client applications which connect to the server over a local network or remotely via the internet. The server and client can be on a single computer.

Important: Ensure that you have for each computer the latest service pack and critical updates installed, for the version of Windows that you are running. To find recent security updates, visit Windows Update.

TourWriter runs on Windows operating systems only, please ensure the following:

• Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or later.
• Windows Server 2003 Standard, Enterprise, or Datacenter editions with Service Pack 1 or later.
• Windows Small Business Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 or later.
• Vista, all versions.
• Windows Server 2008.

The full TourWriter installation will install the following components automatically:

• Microsoft .NET Framework version, required (but often already installed) on both client and server.
• TourWriter client (approx 7Mb), installed on computers where users will work with TourWriter
• Microsoft SQL Server Express version. A SQL Server license is not required for the Express version. TourWriter will install it own 'instance' of Sql Server even if it is already installed, for security and safety reasons and to protect against accidental uninstall.

Important considerations that may require the help of your own system administrator:

• The client computer must be able to connect to the server computer, via a network connection or internet connection.
• To send booking emails, any firewall and/or antivirus software must allow TourWriter to send email.
• For remote connections, the client application must be able to access the server from outside the local network. This may require adjusting your firewall settings to allow an outside connection into the database server. All connections to the database require secure authentication, which TourWriter will handle automatically.

Links:

• Microsoft .NET Framework, more info here...
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express, more info here...