PracticeMaster Version 15.3 Conversion Information for CompuLaw

Last reviewed: 12/11/2009
Article ID: R11303

The information in this article applies to:

• All PracticeMaster Premier Users who Update to Version 15.3 or later
• CompuLaw Rules Engine Version 10

Summary

CompuLaw has a required update that must be installed later this year. The letter below, from CompuLaw CEO David Kalmick, describes the situation in detail. To use new CompuLaw rule updates, you must install both the CompuLaw update and the PracticeMaster Version 15.3 update before December 1, 2009. If you are a current PracticeMaster and CompuLaw user, you will receive a notice from CompuLaw as soon as the updates are available.

• CompuLaw Letter - www.tabs3.com/support/misc/compulawletter.pdf

The PracticeMaster Version 15.3 update provides the ability to integrate PracticeMaster with CompuLaw Version 10 as well as other features. This document is for users who integrate PracticeMaster with CompuLaw.  Additional information regarding the Version 15.3 update can be found in R11299, "Version 15.3 Update Procedures".

Note: Do not update PracticeMaster to Version 15.3 until you have updated to CompuLaw Version 10. You must coordinate the PracticeMaster Version 15.3 update with your CompuLaw Version 10 update.

Important Version Information

To use new CompuLaw rule updates you must install both the CompuLaw update and the PracticeMaster Version 15.3 update before December 1, 2009.

Version 15.3 supports the new Version 10 CompuLaw Rules Engine.  Because of the differences between the two versions, PracticeMaster must be updated at the same time as CompuLaw in order for the two products to continue to integrate with each other.

• PracticeMaster Version 15.3 works with CompuLaw Version 10
• PracticeMaster Version 15.2 and earlier works with CompuLaw Version 9

CompuLaw Contact Information

Web Site: http://www.compulaw.com/vision_support_options.htm

Telephone support is available Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PST.

Inside California, please call (310) 553-3355. All other areas call (800) 444-0215

Sequence of Updates

The order of updates consists of:

1. Make a full backup before starting the update process.

2. Update CompuLaw using the instructions sent by CompuLaw.

3. Install PracticeMaster Version 15.3 and perform the conversion as directed in the following.

Installing the PracticeMaster Update

Information regarding how to get the Version 15.3 update can be found in R11299, "Version 15.3 Update Procedures".

After the update has been installed, there are two separate conversions that occur in the PracticeMaster software.

• The first time the software is started, the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster System Files are automatically updated. Information regarding this update process is provided in R11299.
• An additional conversion is required for integration with CompuLaw. This conversion occurs when accessing the CompuLaw Date Maintenance program in PracticeMaster and is described in detail in the following section.

Update Procedures for PracticeMaster

With the update of the CompuLaw Version 10 engine, PracticeMaster data files for CompuLaw integration need to be converted so that they are compatible with the new format. The following steps will complete the necessary conversion for CompuLaw integration.

Note: Although the following conversion is a simple conversion, it may take some time to perform, depending on the amount of data, hardware speed and network activity. We recommend performing the conversion at the end of the day. However, it can be stopped and resumed at a later time. All users, including the user running the process, can perform other tasks in PracticeMaster and Tabs3 software. However, the conversion must complete before you can generate CompuLaw dates.

Note: You must be a member of the Manager access profile to perform the following procedures.

To update PracticeMaster Files for CompuLaw Integration

1. Install PracticeMaster Version 15.3. Details can be found in R11299, "Version 15.3 Update Procedures".
2. If using Tabs3 or Tabs3 Trust Accounting Software (TAS), start Tabs3 or TAS so that the initial conversion is automatically completed.
3. From the PracticeMaster menu, point to Calendar and select CompuLaw Date Maintenance.
4. PracticeMaster checks to see if the Version 15.3 CompuLaw conversion has been performed.
   • If CompuLaw Version 10 has not been installed, a message indicating CompuLaw is not installed will be displayed. (Note: It is also possible to receive this message if CompuLaw Version 10 has been installed, but Version 15.3 has not been installed. This is because  Version 15.2 is looking for the Version 9 CompuLaw file and isn't finding it.)
   • If the conversion has already been performed, the selected program will open.
   • If the conversion has not been performed, the following message will be displayed:

   PracticeMaster must update your existing calendar plans to work with 
   CompuLaw Version 10. CompuLaw Date Maintenance will not be available 
   until the update has been run.  Click OK to start the update or click 
   Cancel to perform the update later. 

5. Click OK to start the conversion of the CompuLaw plan records in PracticeMaster.
6. You will be asked to make a backup. Click Yes to start the backup.
7. Once the backup has completed, the conversion of the CompuLaw plan records will begin. During this process, a progress meter will be shown. You can click Cancel at any time to stop the conversion, and continue the process again at a later time. Records that have already been converted do not need to be converted again. All records must be converted before you can generate CompuLaw dates.
8. Upon completion, the message "Update Completed" will be displayed. Click OK.

Note: The CompuLaw Calendar Plan records in the PracticeMaster Calendar file are the only records modified during the CompuLaw conversion.

Messages

A new version of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster has been installed that requires a conversion to be run. PracticeMaster will be unavailable until the conversion has finished.  Please start Tabs3 or Trust Accounting to run the conversion.

This message is displayed if PracticeMaster is started after installing Version 15, but Tabs3 or TAS has not been started first. A separate conversion of the Tabs3 data files must be performed before using PracticeMaster. Simply start Tabs3 or TAS to perform the automatic conversion. Additional information can be found in R11299, "Version 15.3 Update Procedures".

CompuLaw is not installed.

The CompuLaw Version 10 Rules engine has not been installed. The CompuLaw software must be installed before being able to integrate with PracticeMaster Version 15.3. Either CompuLaw is not installed in the correct location, or CompuLaw Version 9 or earlier is still installed.

Unable to Connect to the CompuLaw Database.

This message occurs when the workstation or file server cannot connect to the SQL Server. This can be caused by a missing or invalid COMPULAW.INI file in the PracticeMaster current working directory, or the SQL Server is not accessible or incorrectly configured. If this message is intermittent, there may be a network communication problem. However, if this message is recurring, this is likely a configuration issue. It may also be necessary to check the firewall and permission settings for the server to ensure that all users who use PracticeMaster have full access to the SQL Server and CompuLaw files. For further assistance, please contact CompuLaw Technical Support at (800) 444-0215.

Frequently Asked Questions

After updating to Version 15.3, PracticeMaster displays a message that CompuLaw is not installed. What happened?

If you receive a message that CompuLaw is not installed, then PracticeMaster is unable to locate the CompuLaw Version 10 files in the PracticeMaster current working directory. It could be that CompuLaw is not installed to the correct location, or that you are still using CompuLaw Version 9 or earlier. Reinstall CompuLaw Version 10, and verify that the installation path includes the PracticeMaster current working directory. The current working directory can be found while in PracticeMaster by selecting the Help menu and clicking About PracticeMaster. For assistance installing or updating the CompuLaw Engine to Version 10, call CompuLaw Support at (800) 444-0215.

What happens if we don't update our CompuLaw software by December 1, 2009?

According to CompuLaw, you will not be able to use their updated court rules engine software and court rules databases. If you install PracticeMaster Version 15.3 before updating your CompuLaw software (which you should not do), then you will not be able to generate CompuLaw calendar plan records until your CompuLaw software is updated.

Reference

• KB Article R11299 - Version 15.3 Update Procedures
• KB Article R11317 - Troubleshooting CompuLaw Integration

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

© 1999-2010 Software Technology, Inc.   All rights reserved. Terms of Use
The maker of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster
Tabs3, PracticeMaster, and the “pinwheel” symbol () are registered trademarks of Software Technology, Inc.
e-Mail Suggestions for the Knowledge Base to: kb@Tabs3.com
Technical Support via e-mail is not available.
Knowledge Base:   http://support.Tabs3.com
Web Site:   http://www.Tabs3.com