Company Data Connection Issues

Help & Support Overview | Networking Issues

Point of Sale must be able to access the POS company data that is stored on the Server Workstation. In a networked installation, the connection issues outlined below most commonly apply when a Client workstation is unable to locate or connect to the data on the Server Workstation. About Server and Client Workstations

Note: Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and wireless networks tend to be low bandwidth (slow) and therefore are not recommended for use with Point of Sale. These network configurations may be unreliable.

Data Connection Requirements

There are certain prerequisites to being able to access the Point of Sale data, whether it is being accessed from the Server or Client Workstation.

1. The Server Workstation must be turned on (but Point of Sale need not be running).

2. Firewall software must be configured to allow Point of Sale components to access needed ports.

POS Data Connection Error Messages

If a workstation cannot locate or connect to the POS company data, you may see an error message similar to that shown below.

Application could not find, could not connect to, or could not open company data.

Review the list of possible causes and solutions below to correct the problem. When encountering connection difficulties on a Server Workstation, the first step is for the user to sign onto the computer as a user with Windows Administrator rights.

When encountering connection difficulties on a Client Workstation, the first step is for the user to sign-on to the Client Workstation as an administrator AND that an administrator also sign-on to the Server Workstation.

Possible Cause: | Solution:
Company data was renamed, moved, or deleted. | A list of the data files and Server Workstations found on the network is listed. Select the correct data/server and then select OK. On subsequent startups, the client workstation will reconnect to this same data.
The data file does not have a unique name. | Ensure that the POS data file has a unique name.
The Server Workstation is not running. In order for a client workstation to access the data stored on the Server Workstation, the Server Workstation must be running. | Once you are sure the Server Workstation and network are working, enter the Server Workstation computer name (can be found at Windows Control Panel System Computer Name on the Server) and POS company data file name (can be found in the Point of Sale title bar on the server) and then select OK.
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The Server Workstation has a different data file open than the one to which a client workstation is trying to connect. | Open the correct company data on the Server Workstation or select to connect the currently open data.
The network connection or configuration is not working. | Check your network connections and cables on both Client and Server Workstations. Can you access other information on the Server Workstation from the client? Check the Performance and Networking FAQs or consult with a qualified computer network specialist for help.
Firewall settings, on either the client or server workstation, are blocking the connection. In most cases, you will see a message from the firewall if this is the case. (Note: Some firewalls dont display a message at all in this case and others display messages only if the user has Windows Administrator rights.) | Check your firewall settings. Be sure you are signed on to Windows as a user with Administrator rights and then try to connect again. If you receive a firewall message saying that Point of Sale (or the applications: QBUpdate, QBDBMgrN, Adaptive Server Anywhere Network Server) are trying to access the Internet, answer Yes, always to allow the connection. This should prevent this problem in the future. Note: Firewalls may vary in their message and the solution to this problem. Click the link above or refer to your firewall documentation for additional assistance.
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Selected data is not a Point of Sale database. | Select a valid Point of Sale data file.
There are more workstations running than are allowed by license. | Shut down excess workstations or purchase additional Point of Sale licenses.
The workstation is not running the same level or version of Point of Sale as another workstation that is currently accessing the database. | Update or upgrade all workstations to the same level and/or version of Point of Sale.
Insufficient user rights to create a database or to change the currently accessed database. | Ensure that you are logging in to Point of Sale with sufficient rights to create or change the currently accessed database. Also, be sure that your Windows user rights are not blocking access.
Client Workstation is still logged into a database, preventing Restore, Open Database or Rename Database. | Close the Client Workstation database connection or exit Point of Sale on the client.

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Related Topics

Advanced settings that might affect connection

Configure port filters

Performance and networking issues