Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Accelerators

Last reviewed: 03/02/2010
Article ID: R11182

The information in this article applies to:

• Version 15 & 14.3 Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Client Server Version (CSV) Software

Summary

A major enhancement included with the current version of the CSV software is the addition of a Tabs3 Accelerator and a PracticeMaster Accelerator. These two programs run on the server and work with the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster CSV software to dramatically improve the speed in which statements and the majority of reports are generated.

• What Accelerators Do
• Technical Information
• Accelerated Reports
• Non-Accelerated Reports
• Troubleshooting the Accelerators

What Accelerators Do

Accelerators improve performance by accomplishing two main goals:

• Minimize the amount of data transferred across the network.
• Minimize the amount of data processed on the workstation.

In addition, accelerators incorporate multi-threaded processing techniques, giving them the ability to process multiple users' reports simultaneously.

Multi-user Version (Figure 1)

When a user generates a report in Tabs3 or PracticeMaster multi-user software, the software sends the report data request from the user's workstation to the file server (Step 1 in Figure 1). The file server provides access to the data across the network to the workstation (Step 2 in Figure 1). Once it has retrieved the report data, the workstation begins processing the data in order to create the report (Step 3 in Figure 1). As the report is being processed, additional data may be required to complete the report. In this case, additional requests and data transmissions are negotiated across the network between the server and the workstation. Once the report is complete, the user can view the report and choose to print, preview, or save it to a file (Step 4 in Figure 1). (Note: The thickness of the arrows in Figure 1 represent the amount of data transferred over the network.)

Figure 1

Client Server Version (Figure 2)

When a user generates a report in Tabs3 or PracticeMaster CSV software, a request for the report is sent from a user's workstation to the server, just as in multi-user versions of the software (Step 1 in Figure 2). However, instead of sending data back to the workstation, the server works with the accelerator to generate the report at the server (Step 2 in Figure 2). Because the accelerator runs on the server, the data files do not need to be sent across the network. In addition, the server's superior resources are used to process the data and create the report. As the report is created, the data is sent to the workstation (Step 3 in Figure 2), allowing the user to preview the report. Once the report is complete, the user can print, preview, or save it to a file (Step 4 in Figure 2).  (Note: The thickness of the arrows in Figure 2 represent the amount of data transferred over the network.) The KB Article R11142, "Tabs3 Performance Comparison," provides test figures that compare the report processing speed of the standard multi-user software to that of the CSV Software.

Figure 2

Technical Information

An additional component of the CSV software is the STI Director (STDIRECT.EXE), which runs as a Windows service on the server. Generally speaking, STI Director assists with communicating specific information between STI Server and the various workstations. However, it is also responsible for launching the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Accelerators.

The accelerators are launched by STI Director when the first user logs into the software. While running, the accelerators receive report requests directly from the workstations. A report request includes the necessary criteria to create the report, as well as printer metrics (i.e., page size, margins, etc.) for displaying and printing the report. The accelerator works with STI Server to process the report and generate a final product. As the report is being processed, the accelerator sends the report data back to the workstation.

When a user logs out of Tabs3 or PracticeMaster, the software checks the active user list for other users accessing the software. If none are found, the software instructs the corresponding accelerator to shut down. For example, if you are the last user logging out of Tabs3, then the Tabs3 Accelerator will also close. However, if other users are in Tabs3, the accelerator will remain running.

Although this entire process is more complex than in previous versions of the software, the only noticeable difference when using Tabs3 and PracticeMaster is much faster reporting times.

Figure 3

File Names

The Tabs3 Accelerator and PracticeMaster Accelerator operate via the following files.

• Tabs3 Accelerator uses T3ACCEL.EXE
• PracticeMaster Accelerator uses PMACCEL.EXE

These files are located in the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster program directory, and are installed with the STI Server software.

Configuring Accelerators

The amount of configuration required by the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Accelerators is very minimal. They can be configured by opening the Client Server Configuration window (Client/Server | Client Server Configuration) in System Configuration, and selecting the Director Configuration tab. Additional information about the fields on this tab is available in the Help provided with the System Configuration software.

Optimizing Accelerators

The STI Server software can be run as a Windows Service or as an application. For performance reasons, we recommend running the STI Server as a Windows Service. Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Accelerator technology will perform faster when STI Server is run as a Windows Service. This is because when the STI Server and Accelerators are run as services, they are able to use the shared memory protocol for communications, which is significantly faster than the TCP/IP protocol.

Accelerated Reports

The following reports utilize the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Accelerators to improve performance.

Non-Accelerated Reports

The following reports do not utilize the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Accelerators, since they require a minimal amount of processing. These reports are processed on the workstation just as in previous versions of the software, thereby allowing the accelerators to focus their processing prowess on more computationally intensive reports.

Tabs3 Reports

• About Tabs3 Information Report
• Client Funds Entry List Report
• Client Information Report (File | Print from the Client Information program)
• Client Labels
• Conflict of Interest Report
• Cost Entry List Report
• Cost Transaction Report (File | Print from the Cost Entry program)
• Credit Card Receipt
• Data File Integrity Check Report
• Error Log
• Fee Entry List Report
• Fee Transaction Report (File | Print from the Fee Entry program)
• Merchant Account Setup Report
• Payment Entry List Report
• Payment Transaction Report (File | Print from the Payment Entry program)
• Pre-Bill Tracking Report
• Reindex Files Error Report
• Reset User Log
• Synchronize Tabs3 and PM Log
• Undo Single Updated Statement Error Report
• Undo Multiple Updated Statements Error Report
• Update Statements Error Report
• Tabs3 Verification Lists
  • Change Client Options Verification List
  • Change WIP Transactions Verification List
  • Client Funds Verification List
  • Cost Verification List
  • Deleted Client Verification list
  • Fee Verification List
  • Flat Fee Verification List
  • Payment Adjustment Verification List
  • Payment Verification List
  • Reverse Write Off Verification List
  • Split Fee Adjustment Verification List
  • Transfer A/R And Transactions Verification List
  • Undo Updated Statements Verification List
  • Update Statements Verification List
  • Write Off Verification List
  • Write-Up / Write-Down Verification List
• Tabs3/GLS Error Reports
  • Adjust Split Fee Error Report
  • Change WIP Transactions Error Report
  • Import Data Error Report
  • Merge Remote Data Error Report
  • Payment Adjustment Error Report
  • Transfer A/R and Transactions Error Report
  • Undo Updated Statements Error Report
  • Update Statements Error Report
  • Write-Up/Write-Down Error Report

PracticeMaster Reports

• About PracticeMaster Information Report
• Area of Practice List
• Calendar Plan Report
• Calendar Plan Template Report
• Conflict of Interest Report
• Contact Search Report
• Data File Integrity Check Report
• Document Search Report
• Error Log
• File Definition Report
• Graphical Calendar Report
• Graphical Task List Report
• Related Party Usage Report
• Report Definition Report
• Reset User Log
• Synchronize Tabs3 and PM Log
• Timer Fee Report
• Usage Report

Tabs3 General Ledger (GLS) Reports

• All General Ledger (GLS) Reports
• All GLS Report Writer Reports

Tabs3 Accounts Payable (APS) Reports

• All Accounts Payable (APS) Reports

Tabs3 Trust Accounting (TAS) Reports

• All Trust Accounting (TAS) Reports

Troubleshooting the Accelerators

This section includes the following troubleshooting information:

• The report window displays "Preparing to Print" but then does nothing
• A page prints (or previews) with the text "Unable to connect to Accelerator" instead of the actual report
• A page prints with the text "* * * Abnormal Report Termination * * *" as the last line of the report
• 3001 - 0 - C0000005 Fatal Error when attempting to run reports using the Tabs3 or PracticeMaster Accelerators in Client Server Version 15 & 14.3
• When looking in the Event Viewer, there is a Socket Binding Error
• General printing problems occur
• Temporarily Disabling Accelerators

The report window displays "Preparing to Print" but then does nothing

The most likely cause of this situation is a fatal error on the accelerator. The most recent accelerators will close upon the error. Perform the following steps to troubleshoot the problem.

1. Attempt to rerun the same report. Are you able to duplicate the problem?
2. Does your workstation have trouble with both accelerators or just this one?
3. Does this problem occur on other workstations?
4. Check the error log (View | Log Files | Error Log) to determine if any errors corresponding to the Accelerators have been recorded. The first line of each error in the log will have a System: field.  If T3 Accelerator or PM Accelerator occupies this field, it indicates that this error was linked to a problem with that Accelerator.
5. Go to the server and check Windows Task Manager processes for instances of the Accelerators (t3Accel.exe or pmAccel.exe). If any are found, terminate the Accelerator processes by following the Using Windows Task Manager to Shut Down the Accelerators instructions.
6. Close the software and restart it.  Then log back into the software, and attempt to run the report again.

Note: If the "Preparing to Print" message is a recurring problem, please contact our Technical Support Department.

 

A page prints (or previews) with the text "Unable to connect to Accelerator" instead of the actual report.

This can occur if the STI Director Service is unable to connect to the Accelerator software on the server.

• New Install: If the accelerators have just been installed, (i.e., never run accelerator before), do the following:
  • Check for server based firewall (i.e., a software firewall that blocks information moving from the server to the network). If there is a server based firewall, it must be configured to allow exceptions for T3ACCEL.EXE and PMACCEL.EXE. Exceptions are also necessary for CTSRVR.EXE and STDIRECT.EXE, but if these do not exist, an error would have been encountered earlier.
  • If you suspect a firewall issue is the cause for the accelerator problems, please contact your network administrator to check the firewall settings. Instructions for configuring the Windows Firewall can be found in KB Article R11197, "Opening Ports in Windows Firewall."
  • Check STDIRECT.CPL, the STI Director control panel applet, for correct application folders from the server's point of view. To open the STDIRECT.CPL, click Start and select Control Panel. Find the STI Director Service icon and double-click it to open it.
  • Check the IP Address/Hostname specified for the Accelerators. To do this, from the System Configuration menu, select Client/Server and then select Client Server Configuration. Click the Director Configuration tab of the Client Server Configuration window. The bottom section contains the IP Address/Hostname fields for each Accelerator.
• Previous Install: If the accelerator in question has worked before, do the following:
• Verify that you have the most current version of the software installed.
• We assume any server based firewall is already configured correctly because the Accelerator previously ran successfully. If this may not be true, check the firewall.
• Check the error log (View | Log Files | Error Log) to determine if any errors corresponding to the Accelerators have been recorded.  The first line of each error in the log will have a System: field.  If T3 Accelerator or PM Accelerator occupies this field, it indicates that this error was linked to a problem with that Accelerator.
• Go to the server and check Windows Task Manager processes for instances of the Accelerators (t3Accel.exe or pmAccel.exe). If any are found, terminate the Accelerator processes by following the Using Windows Task Manager to Shut Down the Accelerators instructions.
• Log back into the software, and attempt to run the report again.
• Check the IP Address/Hostname specified for the Accelerators. To do this, from the System Configuration menu, select Client/Server and then select Client Server Configuration. Click the Director Configuration tab of the Client Server Configuration window. The bottom section contains the IP Address/Hostname fields for each Accelerator.

• If the above procedures did not resolve the problem, you can restart the STI Director service and verify that it is running on the server. Instructions for troubleshooting the STI Director service can be found in KB Article R11176, "CSV Troubleshooting and Technical Information."

Note: If the "Unable to connect to Accelerator" message is a recurring problem, please contact our Technical Support Department.

A page prints with the text "* * * Abnormal Report Termination * * *" as the last line of the report.

This message indicates that the Tabs3 or PracticeMaster Accelerator service is unable to complete a report. This is caused by the Accelerator service being shut down on the server while a report is running, or a network connection problem is preventing communication with the server. Check with a network technician to verify that the STI Server is running correctly, and that you are not experiencing network communication problems.

3001 - 0 - C0000005 Fatal Error when attempting to run reports using the Tabs3 or PracticeMaster Accelerators in Client Server Version 15 & 14.3

This error may be attributed to designating a mapped or network drive as an installation path during the STI Server install.  The same error would result from changing the Data Directory or Program Directory fields to mapped or network drive paths.  These fields are found in the Director Configuration tab of the Client Server Configuration window, which can be opened from System Configuration's Client/Server menu and selecting Client Server Configuration. The STI Director does not recognize mapped or network drives. Therefore, entering the Data or Program path as a mapped or network drive will cause the accelerator to fail, and produce this fatal error. To fix this problem, place the STI Server CD into the optical drive of the server, and browse to its contents. Find HBQ.exe on the CD and run this application.  Make sure when running HBQ.exe that the installation directory is entered as a fixed drive path, and not a mapped or removable drive path.  (Note: Running HBQ will overwrite any HotBackup configuration information.) 

When looking in the Event Viewer, there is a Socket Binding Error

This message means that the port the Accelerator is trying to use is already in use. Anytime the user sees a Socket Binding Error, the cause is a port issue.  To fix this problem, open System Configuration's Client Server Configuration window and select the Director Configuration tab. Change the port number being used by that Accelerator. When changing the port on T3ACCEL or PMACCEL, the Tabs3 or PracticeMaster software and accelerators must be restarted before the changes will take effect. All users must exit the software. After ensuring that the accelerator shut down on the server, restart the program and try to run the report again.

 

General printing problems occur

The same printing problems can occur when running reports using the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster accelerators as when running the programs locally. KB Article R10820, "Troubleshooting Printing Problems in Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software", includes helpful information for troubleshooting general printing problems.

Using Windows Task Manager to Shut Down the Accelerators

There are two ways of shutting down the accelerators, but both will use Windows Task Manager to verify that the Accelerator processes have shut down. The two methods are:

• Have all workstations log out of the software, which will close the accelerator once all users have exited PracticeMaster or Tabs3.

       ...or...

• Select the Accelerator (T3accel.exe or PMaccel.exe) in the Windows Task Manager Processes tab, and click End Process.

For information on how to use Windows Task Manager, see Microsoft KB Article 323527 - How to use Windows Task Manager.

Note: When selecting to End Process on the accelerator in Windows Task Manager, if a user is currently running a report using that accelerator, the report most likely will be incomplete and there will be no message or indicator notifying the user that the accelerator process was shut down. The chance of this occurring is very slim; however, as a preventative measure, if desired, an Active User List can be displayed to determine if any user is processing a report. 

Temporarily Disabling Accelerators

If you do not have enough time to troubleshoot the Accelerators, or Technical Support is currently not available, you can temporarily disable the accelerators in order to run the reports. This does not resolve the issue, but will allow you to continue working until there is time to properly resolve the problem. Shutting off the Accelerators will cause reports to run slower than with the Accelerators enabled, however, in certain situations, this may be an acceptable work-around to print the report.

To shut down the Accelerators

1. Open System Configuration.
2. From the Client / Server menu, select Client Server Configuration.
3. Select the Director Configuration tab.
4. Clear the check box associated with the Accelerator having issues.
5. Save your changes.
6. Restart Tabs3 or PracticeMaster and run your report.

Resources

• KB Article R10712 - Client/Server Overview
• KB Article R11142 - Tabs3 Performance Comparison
• Microsoft KB Article 323527 - How to use Windows Task Manager

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