Can multiple users enter the same database and edit records at the same time?
What happens when two users edit the same reference?
Where are the databases stored?
Is a separate license agreement required for Workstation vs. Concurrent use?
How is the Reference Manager Network program installed?
How are access rights assigned?
Can user-specific settings be saved locally for each user?
Can operations be performed across multiple databases residing on a network and workstations?
Can a user convert a version 6/7 database to version 8?

Workstation Specific Questions:
What are the advantages of the Workstation license?
Does the Workstation license allow an organization to reassign a user license?

Concurrent Specific Questions:
What are the advantages of the Concurrent license?
How does a customer determine the appropriate number of Concurrent licenses to purchase?
How is concurrent use controlled?
Is technical support available under the Concurrent license?

Can multiple users enter the same database and edit records at the same time?

Colleagues can simultaneously edit the same record within a single database. Sharing databases with the network program allows multiple users to read and write to the same database down to the field level within the same bibliographic record. Only Reference Manager for Windows 98/95/NT offers this true network capability.

What happens when two users edit the same reference?

Reference Manager saves the last edits made in a field should two (or more) users edit the same field at the same time.  Edits saved by one user are visible to other users working in the same database and many users can edit different records and/or different databases at the same time.

Where are the databases stored?

Users can create an unlimited number of databases stored on either a network or a workstation.

The concurrent and workstation options each have separate license agreements. With the concurrent license, the customer is asked to identify the method (or metering program) to be used in controlling concurrent access on a license addendum.

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How is the Reference Manager Network program installed?

The installation procedures are described in the Network Administrator’s Guide (a separate publication from the User's Guide). Reference Manager supports network installation for client-server workgroup configurations (also peer-to-peer configurations for the workstation license). The Reference Manager Network program is  installed on a network server or on a workstation based on the licensing plan selected. Once the program is installed on the network or local hard drive, a workstation install must also be installed on each of the computers from which Reference Manager will be accessed.

How are access rights assigned?

The Reference Manager Network program lets the network administrator assign user rights for full access privileges, Read/Write/Create or read-only privileges. Rights are setup at the network operating system level.  Because the supported network operating systems provide their own setup procedures, a network utility program is not necessary and has not been included with Reference Manager Network program.

The network program also allows users to open databases in various modes when selecting Open Database from the file menu. Under access rights, users may select among these options: Read-Write Share, Read-Only Share or Read-Write Exclusive. However, a user’s access options are first governed by the access rights setup by the network administrator.

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Can user-specific settings be saved locally, for example can users save their custom Output Styles or Capture definitions on their local workstation?

Yes, it is recommended that users save these custom files on their workstation and not in a shared area. This protects the user’s files when other users many have access to the network.

Since Reference Manager version 9 can perform useful operations across multiple databases (duplicate detection, retrieval, generating bibliography), can these operations be performed across multiple databases when they reside on the network and on workstations?

Yes, as long as the workstation running Reference Manager has access to those computers. Global editing functions in a Network program require the user to open the database(s) in Read-Write Exclusive mode. These functions are determined to slow performance down for other users, and therefore require exlcusive access. The Global Edit functions are 'inactive' when opening a database in Read-Write Share mode.

Can a user convert a version 8/7/6 database to version 9?

Users can open an 8 database using version 9 in read/write mode, or can convert 8 databases to version 9. A version 8 database converted to Reference Manager version 9 does not create a new database. A backup copy of the database should be made prior to converting from version 8. Version 9 databases can be accessed directly in version 8, but information in certain fields may be truncated due to the text field length limitations within version 8.

Users can open a 7/6 database using version 9 in read-only mode, or can convert 7/6 databases to version 9. When you convert a version 7/6 database, the existing database is unchanged and a new version 9 database is converted with the name and in the location you specify.

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What are the advantages of the Workstation license?

 There are two primary advantages of the workstation license:

Licensed users have access to the program at all times. They are never denied access due to others already using the program, as can occur with concurrent use licenses.

Licensed users may install the full program on a notebook computer, so each licensed user is able to work both at the office and when the notebook is undocked, or portable.

Does the Workstation license allow an organization to reassign a user license, for example, if one member of a work group moves into another department and no longer needs to use Reference Manager, may their licensed be used to support another member?

Yes.

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The main advantage of the concurrent use license is it offers an economical way to support a broader pool of occasional users. By properly matching the number of concurrent use licenses to the usage patterns of the community being served, this form of licensing offers an effective solution.

From a user’s view, are there any disadvantages to the Concurrent license?

There are two potential disadvantages:

Users are allowed to run the program only while connected to the network, that is, users may not install the program on a portable, or remote computer for use away from the network.

When all concurrent accesses are active, it is possible to be denied access to Reference Manager. Denied access means users will not be able to launch the program, or cite references from their word processor (using Cite While You Write), or download references into Reference Manager from the Web of Science, Current Contents Connect, Reference Update, Reference Web Poster or BookWhere.

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Generally, the appropriate ratio of users to concurrent licenses is 4:1. In other words, to support 40 total users the customer should purchase a 10 user concurrent license. This ratio may vary somewhat based on how actively the pool of users accesses the program (directly, when writing manuscripts, when exporting from ISI databases such as Web of Science).

Concurrent use is governed by the user’s network administrator and their local network. Concurrent access can be controlled either by an integrated concurrent metering utility, the network operating system (some networks can specify concurrent access limits), or by metering software programs such as KeyServ, SiteMeter, among others.

Yes.

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