Upgrading to Version 6

When you purchase the Version 6 Upgrade, you receive an email with specific instructions and serial numbers for registering your upgrade. If you have not purchased any BookingCenter product, you can not purchase the upgrade, you must purchase the Desktop product first.

To get information on upgrading your specific computer(s), choose Windows OS | Mac OS

Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, and Vista

Single Windows PC Upgrade

If there is only one Windows PC used at your facility, upgrading is easy - simply download the upgrader onto the Windows PC and follow the instructions provided in the email sent after processing your upgrade order.

Networking BookingCenter on Multiple Windows PCs

BookingCenter works in a networked architecture so that there are 'clients' and a 'server'. This allows for multiple people to work BookingCenter concurrently. For every PC that runs BookingCenter, you must purchase a new serial number. Remember, if you are selling your rooms online, one PC shoudl be dedicated as the 'Network Manager' to connect to the BookingCenter Central Reservation Service to manage rates and availability. This one PC becomes the Management Computer that will be synchronizing rate, inventory, and content with the BookingCenter Central Reservation Service.

Unlock additional PCs

Each additional user PC used will require a Version 6 serial number. If you had previously purchased a Version 4 or 5 Additional User license, then you can upgrade that serial number for only US$250. If you require a new Version 6 serial number, then a new Additional User license will be required. Once you have purchased the upgrader, You will want to download and runit for each Windows PC you were using in previous versions. Once you have done this, do the following to unlock each Additional User:

1. Launch BookingCenter
2. Choose Parameters
3. Click on Company Information
4. Click on Register
5. Enter the Serial Number sent to you (pasted from the email you receive).
6. Click OK. Your additional PC is now registered and ready to connect to your existing BookingCenter datafile.

Network Multiple PCs to Your Datafile

Networking BookingCenter Software is easy for Windows networks.

1. First install BookingCenter on the server computer and make sure the datafile you are using has the correct Site ID, Lock Code, and Serial Number. Remember where the datafile is on this machine. Note - this is usually in C:\BOOKINGCENTER\. You have probably named the datafile (the profile of your property) a specific name. Know the name and location - we recommend keeping it in the C:\BOOKINGCENTER\ on the server
2. Install BookingCenter Software on the second (client) machine.
3. Open the Network Neighborhood for Windows networking and locate the server where the BookingCenter Datafile resides. File Sharing must be turned on the server and permissions must be set to READ and WRITE for the directory that houses the datafile on the server.
4. From the File menu of BookingCenter on the second (client) machine, choose Change Datafile. Choose Other from the Change Datafile screen.
5. Locate the datafile on the server. When you see (it will have a suffix called .df1 usually), double-click it or click Open.
6. From the BookingCenter Desktop program, choose the FILE menu on the client PC and select 'Change Datafile". While highlighting the remote datafile from the 'Choose Datafile" window, click the button called 'default' to make that the 'default' data file to be opened by the client PC each time it launches BookingCenter.

The additional computer is now connected to the server’s datafile and is ready to manage the property as well as the first.

For Macintosh Computers

Since Mac OS X has a limitation to how it handles file locking, all OS X networks must use the OMNIS DataBride on their server in order to securely network OS X machines.  If you are running a client or server on your network under OS X (10.1 to 10.5), then you must install the OMNIS DataBridge ODB. If you are using only Mac System 7, 8, or 9, then ODB is not a requirement.  In the old days of System 7, 8, or 9, anyone could successfully create and manage a Macintosh network. OS X changed that, by using UNIX ‘underpinnings’, OS X became much more complicated than older Macintosh networks to setup and manage.  For this reason, we recommend working with a network administrator to set your network up, as sharing and assigning IP addresses under OS X requires more skill than most hospitality people possess.  Either get ready for an exercise in networking, or call in a pro – either way, download our ODB Instructions from: http://www.BookingCenter.com/help/network_odb.html

Networking BookingCenter with Multiple Macintosh System 7, 8, or 9 Networks

1. First install BookingCenter on the server computer. Remember where the datafile is on this machine. Note - this is usually in the BookingCenter folder on your hard drive. You have probably named the datafile (the profile of your property) a specific name. Know the name and location.

2. Install BookingCenter Software on the second machine.
3. Open the Chooser and select File Sharing. File Sharing must be turned on for the server to see it in the Chooser. Locate the server. Double-click to mount the server.
4. From the File menu of BookingCenter on the second machine, choose Change Datafile. Choose Other from the Change Datafile screen.
5. Locate the datafile on the server running the management copy of BookingCenter. Once you see the datafile, double-click on it to connect to the server datafile.
6. While highlighting the remote datafile from the 'Choose Datafile" window, click the button called 'default' to make that the 'default' data file to be opened by the second computer each time it launches up BookingCenter.

The second Macintosh OS 7,8, or 9 is now ready to manage the property as well as the first.

If you have any additional questions about networking BookingCenter, please read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

Back to top