It's easy - the most important software you'll need is Microsoft Access, which is part of Microsoft Office Professional Suite. Lodgepole is flexible to meet the needs of different computer systems. Lodgepole can be installed on an individual computer or on a network. Click on the link for the details:
Lodgepole® Computer Requirements (72 K, pdf).
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do I need to be a computer geek to use Lodgepole?
No geek skills needed. Your job is to manage your property. Our job is to worry about the "geeky" stuff, and we have worked hard to make Lodgepole user-friendly.
Does Lodgepole work on a network?
Lodgepole works well on a network. Please read the computer requirements in the link above.
Can remote sites use Lodgepole on the server?
Yes, with the right network configuration and software. You'll need to use “Remote CONTROL” applications. Using a cable connection, we could access Lodgepole in 14 seconds using Citrix (on an external server hundreds of miles away, behind a firewall). Then once it was running, it was an only a 1-2 second delay when we accessed different forms and reports. That's impressive. We've also experimented with Windows Remote Desktop Connection and that worked as well. A third solution is a software application, such as LogMeIn.
There are many products on the market, and the ones mentioned are not the only solutions. Remote control solutions run Lodgepole behind your firewall and the user only “views” it (screen refreshing).
That’s in comparison to remote ACCESS that sends data back and forth between the remote user and the server – the performance is painful at best. VPN is an example of remote access.
What do I need to backup my data?
It's very important to backup your property data. On a regular basis, simply copy one file to minimize lost data. You can use a thumb drive, an external hard drive, or burn to a CD. If you're on a network, this is usually done on a nightly basis. Check with your network administrator.
Is there a limit to how much data you can put in Lodgepole?
Lodgepole is virtually unlimited in capacity, allowing you to enter an unlimited number of sites, maintenance records, etc. Store up to 2 GB of information. Most facilities would typically use a tenth of this size.
What's the current version of Lodgepole?
Version 4.0.2
The Lodgepole computer requirements state that I need the latest Microsoft Service Packs (SP) for 1) Microsoft Access and 2) the Operating System. How can I find out what I have?
Service packs (SP) are the means by which Microsoft distributes product updates. Service packs may contain updates for system reliability, program compatibility, security, and more. All of these updates are conveniently bundled for easy downloading. You will need the current Microsoft Service Pack (SP) for both Access and the Operating System, in order for Lodgepole to fully work.
1. Microsoft Access. Since the SP is applied on Microsoft Office suite overall, the SP also includes bug fixes for Microsoft Access. An easy way to find what SP version you have is to look at Word rather than Access. Open Microsoft Word. Click on “About” under the “Help” navigation button. The example below shows that Office 2003 SP3 is installed. Each version of Office has different service packs, so to ensure you have the latest version installed, please visit http://support.microsoft.com/sp
2. Operating System (XP, Vista, etc.). From the “about” screen (see previous section), click on the “system information” button. The example shows SP2 is installed for Vista. Each version has different SP; please visit http://support.microsoft.com/sp.
