Abstract: Upgrading a software application from one or more upgrade package files in a server (1) to a client (21a, 21b, 21c). According to this method a copy of the upgrade package files and an upgrade database table are created on the server (1). A pointer is created in the client's (21a, 21b, 21c) file on the server (1). This pointer points to the upgrade package files on the server (1); In invoking the upgrade the, the upgrade files are made active, and the upgrade database table is scanned when a client (21a, 21b, 21c) docks. This is to determine the status of an upgrade with respect to the particular client (21a, 21b, 21c). The upgrade is copied to the client (21a, 21b, 21c) if the client (21a, 21b, 21c) has not received the upgrade. At this point the upgrade may be invoked at the client (21a, 21b, 21c). Also disclosed is a program product carrying code for the upgrade method.

Abstract: A method of and system for collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a data base management system. The database management system includes a master database server (4), at least one workgroup server (315), and a plurality of workgroup user clients (310). The workgroup server (315) is interposed between the master database server (4) and said workgroup user clients (310). The method creating a transaction in a local database resident on one of the workgroup user clients (310), entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on the workgroup user client (310), and creating a transaction file corresponding to the transaction in an outbox of said workgroup user client (310). Next, the transaction file is copied to an inbox identified to the workgroup user client (310) and updating the transaction file into a workgroup database (305) resident on the workgroup server (315). The workgroup database (305) includes a transaction log.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a database management system. The database management system has an enterprise server and at least one workgroup user client. The method includes creating a transaction in a local database resident on said workgroup user client, entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on the workgroup user client, and creating a transaction file corresponding to the transaction log in an outbox of the workgroup user client. The workgroup user client transaction log is read, skipping those transactions which originate at the enterprise server, data files are created corresponding to the entries. The data files corresponding to transactions originating at the workgroup user client are read to an inbox on the enterprise server, thus updating the transactions into an enterprise database on the enterprise server.