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Install Requirements for Standalone Version of Caspur Reports

Install Requirements for Standalone Version of Caspur Reports

Computing Services Technote #538 v7

Title: Install Requirements for Standalone Version of Caspur Reports (CRSync)
Applies to: Users of Caspur Reports / Computer Support Staff
Section: Network Services
Owner: Manager Network & Communication Services
Last updated: 30 May 2022

Introduction

Note that CRSync is no longer recommended to be installed as Internet speeds are now usually sufficient to allow Caspur to be used. This technote is being retained for historical reference.

While reasonable attempts have been made to create a software installer that will function correctly on a wide variety of computer systems, it is beyond the resources available to Computing Services to anticipate every possible hardware and software combination that potential users may present. Ensuring your system meets the base system requirements and following the pre-install checklist will help to ensure that your installation of this software has the greatest possible chance for success. This installer only loads the required software to run Caspur Reports and does not address any software requirements for accessing Banner via your web browser.

Background

The University of Regina uses an Oracle based product, SCT Banner, to manage institutional data. While Banner has significant functionality, it was necessary to create a number of custom written MS Access reports to extract information from the Oracle database. Collectively, these reports are called Caspur Reports and they are accessed by means of a custom written front-end program.

System Requirements

For proper installation and operation of Caspur Reports, your system should meet the following minimum requirements:

Free disk space on your “C” drive: 500 Megabytes for Caspur, 2 Gigabytes for CRSync.

As with other software packages, running the reports on a system that only barely meets the minimum specifications will offer only the bare minimum of performance. A fast processor and internet connection are highly recommended. Depending on how many programs you run concurrently, additional system RAM and hard drive space may be advisable.

The following software requirements must be met:

Operating System: Windows 10
Caspur is pre-installed on Windows 10 Evergreen systems. To install CRSync on non-Evergreen Windows systems it is installed concurrently with the Oracle client. See the instructions later in this document.
Microsoft Access 2007 or 2013.
Current Anti-Virus software.

The installer and the reports may function correctly on operating systems other than those listed and with versions of Microsoft Access other than 2007/2013. However, they have not been tested and are not officially supported. The specific brand of antivirus software is not mandated. However, it is imperative that users ensure that it is updated frequently.

Pre-Installation

For assistance with any of these common tasks, please contact the Computing Services IT Support Centre @ 585-4685

In general, your system must be in good running order before you attempt to install this product. If you have been experiencing unusual system behaviour or have been experiencing occasional system crashes, please have your computer system serviced by a qualified technician prior to installing this software.
Ensure all system requirements are met.
Ensure your Anti-Virus software is up to date.
Prior to proceeding with the installation you must shut down all other running software.
You must be logged into your computer with administrative rights to install this product.
You must know your uregina.ca (Micro Focus) username/password. While your banner username is the same as your uregina.ca username your Banner password is changed independently and may not be the same.

Windows Caspur (CRSync) Installation

There is a multi-step process to install CRSync.

Create a usb flash drive on a computer with the Micro Focus client installed. Copy the following contents:
The Oracle Install folder from S:\dist\win32.
copy of the file tnsnames.ora from S:\orawin.
copy of the file caspur2000oc.dat from s:\softdist.
if you run "oracle copy to flash.cmd" from "S:\dist\win32\Oracle Install" it will do the above steps for you.

On the non-managed (no Micro Focus client) computer insert the flash drive:

Create a folder at the root of C: called urdistr (it must be named this)
Copy the contents of the "Oracle Install\Banner" folder to c:\urdistr.
Copy the contents of the "Oracle Install\Oracle12c" folder to c:\urdistr.
Copy all 4 executable files from the "Oracle Install" folder to c:\urdistr.
Copy the file tnsnames.ora from the root of the flash drive to c:\urdistr.
Copy the file caspur2000oc.dat from the root of the flash drive to c:\urdistr.
If you run "oracle copy from flash.cmd" from the root of the flash drive it will do the above steps for you.

The folder structure should look like this:

C:\URDistr\Banner
C:\URDistr\Oracle12c
C:\URDistr\odbc11gremove.exe
C:\URDistr\odbc11rmvuserreg.exe
C:\URDistr\odbc12c.exe
C:\URDistr\odbc12cdsn.exe
C:\URDistr\TNSNAMES.ORA
C:\URDistr\caspur2000oc.dat

If Oracle11g was previously installed run c:\urdistr\odbc11gremove.exe as an administrator..
If Oracle11g was previously installed run c:\urdistr\odbc11rmvuserreg.exe as the user.
Open an administrative cmd prompt, cd to urdistr, and run "odbc12c.exe crsync" without the quotes.
- If odbc12c.exe is run without the crsync switch it will install as if you have the Micro Focus client. You can then map the S: drive using CIFS if you don't have the Midro Focus client installed.
If you get a dsn error when attempting to use the sofware then run c:\urdistr\odbc12cdsn.exe as an administrator.
This will install the C:\banner, and the c:\reports2000 folders.
Installs Caspur Reports menu and adds links to the desktop and Start Menu.

Post Installation

You are not required to reboot the system following installation, although there may be other factors beyond the scope of this installer that would make rebooting the system desirable.

Following the install, a Caspur Reports link will be visible on the desktop and can also be found on the Start Menu in the Banner group. On standalone installations of Caspur Reports (like the one you just performed), this link will point to the c:\banner\crsync.exe program. The CRSYNC program synchronizes the reports stored on the local hard drive with those stored on the University of Regina server. The first time CRSYNC runs there may be a significant number of files that need to be downloaded from the server to the local PC. Users will be prompted for their uregina.ca username and password to access the UofR server. This is the same username/password combination used for accessing UofR email and Micro Focus services. Once CRSYNC completes, the Caspur Reports front-end menu will appear and users will be able to select the desired reports to run. The CRSYNC program will normally only attempt to synchronize files once a day, so if Caspur Reports is accessed multiple times in a day it will only check for updates the first time you start it.

When CRSync runs, do not be alarmed if it displays access denied messages. This is both normal and expected and nothing is wrong with your computer or your Caspur Reports installation.

Known Issues

Occasionally the CRSYNC program will stop responding during the update of local reports. If this happens, simply terminate the CRSYNC program and restart it with the desktop icon.

Troubleshooting Failed Installations

If the user is having trouble logging in to Caspur they may be using their Banner username/password rather than their uregina.ca (Micro Focus) username/password. Creating a new password for them may be required. They can test their uregina.ca username/password by clicking the following link User Test.
For assistance troubleshooting failed installations of Caspur reports please contact the Computing Services IT Support Centre at 585-4685.

Conclusion

The installation of the standalone version of Caspur Reports has been discussed.

Revision History

v1 - 2004-05-31 - Initial version of technote.
v2 - 2006-08-17 - Updated to reflect changes in supported software (removal of Win98 support).
v3 - 2007-10-12 - Replaced execmail/corporate time with Groupwise.
v4 - 2012-09-11 - Add Windows 7 install references, reference the Oracle installer page, and note the increased disk space requirements.
v5 - 2012-10-17 - Reduce verbiage, add references to uregina.ca (Novell) username/password, and add NetStorage links for installer files.
v6 - 2019-11-05 - Update for Oracle 12c. Note that Windows XP is no longer supported. New install process.
v7 - 2022-05-30 - Remove Windows 7. Note that CRSync is deprecated. Change Novell to Micro Focus.

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