B Squared Connecting Steps is designed to be as flexible as possible and has multiple installation options. From one CD, there are a range of options for installing the Connecting Steps software. The software is made up of 2 components;

• Database - the database stores all the information in Connecting Steps, on a network the database will be accessed by the other machines. The database is the most important part of the software and needs to be backed up to protect your data. (See Protecting Your Data)
• Client Software - client software accesses the database and is generally installed on the machine with the database and shared out, but the software is flexible and the client software can be installed on any computer and pointed towards the machine with the database on.

Standalone

This is the standard installation for our single user license, the software is on a single machine. Schools that do not have a network or where only part of the school is networked can install the software on multiple computers and use our import and export functionality within the software to transfer the data between machines.

Network

The software can be installed on a school network. Connecting Steps is installed onto a central computer/server, client machines access the software via a share and connect to the database on the server. The software does not require a server, if the school only has a peer to peer network (shared internet access), a computer can have Connecting Steps software installed and that machine will host the central database for all the other machines.

Laptop (Standalone)

This situation is the same as a normal standalone installation, but may be done for different reasons. This may be done if the school has a single user licence but it may also be installed on laptops if teachers wish to use the software at home, teachers are then not tied to being in school to use the software. Teachers can use the import and export functions in the software to transfer the data between their laptop and the software on the school network.

Laptop (Network & Standalone)

Laptops in schools are often part of the school wireless network but also work away from the network either in remote buildings or at home. Connecting Steps can use both a local database (on the laptop) and a remote database (on the server) on the same computer. This allows teachers to use the software in school on the main network, but also record or view information away from the network. The software doesn't automatically synchronise as we prefer schools to control their data, teachers can use the import and export functions in the software to transfer the data between their laptop and the software on the school network.