Please read this document before installing the NFSMI FUNDamentals software. It may be desireable to provide this web page, or a link to it, to your Information Technology staff for review. If you have not registered with Visual Solutions, please click here and provide the information requested. This step must be completed in order to provide you with your district's registration code.

If you have not downloaded the NFSMI FUNDamentals Installation already, you may click this link.

Verify Hardware Requirements

Before installing the NFSMI FUNDamental software, please verify that the target computer system meets the following requirements:

• Operating System
  • Windows 2000 Professional
  • Windows XP Professional
  • Windows Vista (32 bit or 64 bit)
  • Windows 7 (32 bit or 64 bit)
  • Windows Server 2000, 2003, or 2008
• Hard Drive space: 50MB of free hard disk space
• RAM: Refer to the minimum RAM requirements for the Operating System
• Super VGA monitor (with the screen resolution set to at least 1024 x 768 and the depth set to True Color)

Determine an Installation Type

The NFSMI FUNDamentals software may be installed as a single-user application or as a multi-user application. Please refer to the appropriate section for installation instructions.

• Single User - Simply accept all defaults in the Installer. This will install all files locally including the databases. This option may also be used in a remote server connection scenario as well, eliminating the need for installing the application on client workstations altogether.
• Multi User - The NFSMI FUNDamentals installer may function as both a primary installer for the NFSMI FUNDamentals software and as a secondary installer used to add additional users in a workgroup. This is accomplished by selecting the Custom Installation option and by changing the default program and/or database location.

Determine an Appropriate Database Environment

If your district can be described by one of the following statements,

• My district has over 20 schools.
• My district will require more than 5 users for the software.
• My district is interested in the FUNDamentals on the Web application.
• My district policy requires managed data backup for all installed software.

then you are highly recommended to upgrade to our SQL Server version. If Microsoft SQL Server is not available we offer an MSDE installer. Please see the Microsoft Hardware Requirements for details. Due to the technical needs and coordination with IT associated with SQL Server, this option requires a support contract. Visual Solutions will convert your Access database after the NFSMI FUNDamentals Setup Wizard has been completed and provide a SQL database backup file. SQL Server 2000, MSDE, SQL Server 2005, and SQL Express environments are supported. The switch to a SQL database can be automated with the presence of an encrypted connection strings file for existing application users.

Installing NFSMI FUNDamentals for a Single User

• Double-Click the installer to start the installation process
• Enter 7277233FULL to unlock the installer and click OK
• Click Next at the Welcome screen
• Make sure the option 'Install this application for:' is set to 'Anyone who uses this computer (all users)' and click Next
• The installer will suggest placing the program files in a new FUNDamentals foler on the primary disk. If this is acceptable, click Next, otherwise click the Change button and browse to local drive or folder of your choice, click Open to return to the installer, then click Next to continue.
• The installer will suggest a Database Path based on the selection in the previous step. If this is acceptable, click Next, otherwise click the Change button and browse to the desired folder for the database, click OK, then click Next to continue.
• Accept the default option for a 'Typical' installation type. This installs all program files, a blank database, and the National School Registry database in the locations specified in the previous steps. Click Next to continue.
• The installer will copy new files, register program dependencies, create shortcuts on the desktop and program menu, and set up the required ODBC database settings. Click Finish to exit the installer.
• Double-click the NFSMI FUNDamentals icon on the desktop.
• If the Login window appears with a New Setup button, click the button and follow the instructions. If you are unsure about any required setup information, you may enter in a good guess and edit the information once the Setup Wizard is finished. The important thing is to get the initial setup finished.

Installing NFSMI FUNDamentals for Multiple Users

The remainder of this document applies to Multi-User Installations only. (excluding Remote Server Connections)

Mulit-User Environment Requirements

• Network Connectivity for all target workstations
• Shared Folder on a workstation or preferrably on a dedicated server
• All intended Users should have full control of Shared Folder

Mulit-User Environment Tips

• Always install NFSMI FUNDamentals as an Administrator for All Users.
• Is is advisable to use UNC naming conventions for application paths instead of mapped drives. (example: \\yourservername\yourservershare\applicationfolder )
• Sharing the Program Files allows global software updates ensuring that all users are on the same version.
• NFSMI FUNDamentals offers security at the screen level and can be set by user level, or for individual users.

Performing a Multi-User Installation

These instructions may be divided into two sections: Initial Installation, and Secondary Installation. It is common practice to run the installer from a common network location, meaning, a network drive or folder accessible from all intended workstations.

Initial or First Workstation Installation

• Double-Click the installer to start the installation process
• Enter 7277233FULL to unlock the installer and click OK
• Click Next at the Welcome screen
• Make sure the option 'Install this application for:' is set to 'Anyone who uses this computer (all users)' and click Next
• Click the Change button if you have decided to share the program files for multiple users, and browse or type the desired path for installing the program files. As noted above, if using a network share, it is preferrable to use a UNC path instead of mapped drives. The version of Installshield used does not support browsing to network places, but you may type, or copy and paste, the desired path. Once the path is entered, click Open to return to the installer. Click Next to continue.
• The installer will suggest a Database Path based on the selection in the previous step. If this is acceptable, click Next, otherwise click the Change button, enter the desired path for the database, click OK, then click Next to continue.
• Accept the default option for a 'Typical' installation type. This installs all program files, a blank database, and the National School Registry database in the locations specified in the previous steps. Click Next to continue.
• The installer will copy new files, register program dependencies, create shortcuts on the desktop and program menu, and set up the required ODBC database settings. Click Finish to exit the installer.
• Double-click the NFSMI FUNDamentals icon on the desktop.
• If the Login window appears with a New Setup button, click the button and follow the instructions. If you are unsure about any required setup information, you may enter in a good guess and edit the information once the Setup Wizard is finished. The important thing is to get the initial setup finished so that other users may connect to the database.

Secondary Users Workstation Installation

• Double-Click the installer to start the installation process
• Enter 7277233FULL to unlock the installer and click OK
• Click Next at the Welcome screen
• Make sure the option 'Install this application for:' is set to 'Anyone who uses this computer (all users)' and click Next
• Click the Change button if you have decided to share the program files for multiple users, and browse or type the desired path to the existing program files. The version of Installshield used does not support browsing to network places, but you may type, or copy and paste, the desired path. Once the path is entered, click Open to return to the installer. Click Next to continue.
• The installer will suggest a Database Path based on the selection in the previous step. If this matches the installed location used in the initial installation, click Next, otherwise click the Change button, enter the path for the database. The file name to browse to is NFSMI.mdb. Click OK, then click Next to continue.
• Change the installation type option to a 'Custom' and click Next to continue.
• Click the arrow beside 'Install Database' and select the option 'This feature will not be available'.
• Click the arrow beside 'Install Program Files' and select the option 'This feature will not be available' and click Next to continue.
• The installer will register program dependencies, create shortcuts on the desktop and program menu, and set up the required ODBC database settings. Click Finish to exit the installer.
• Double-click the NFSMI FUNDamentals icon on the desktop.
• If the Login window appears then the installation was successful.
• New Users may be added to the software under the Utilities/Security Settings/User Security menu option. If this menu option is not enabled, you must log in using the User Name and Password that was used in the setup wizard.