Getting Started

The first thing to do once Microsoft SQL Server and Auction Manager is installed is to run the Getting Started Wizard. It will run automatically when you first run Auction Manager, however you can also run it from the menu (File->New->Profile). This wizard creates a new profile and database, and steps you through the following pages:

Your Information

Enter a profile name and select a folder to hold the profile files. This is also a good time to enter your License Name and Key, although these can be entered later. Without license details Auction Manager will not perform Upload/Download operations and other selected features will be unavailable.

Trade Me

If you want Auction Manager to connect to your Trade Me account, enter your Trade Me Username (email address) and Password. Please note that this information is stored securely and cannot be read by anyone.

Email

In order for Auction Manger to send emails, please enter your email account settings. Your name and email address are used for replies.

Web Shop

Auction Manager can optionally connect to an osCommerce web shop and download orders and synchronise stock levels. In order for this to work, you need to allow remote access to the MySql Database and enter the details here.

SQL Server Database

Auction Manager stores all data locally in an SQL Server Database. At this point should have already have Microsoft SQL Server 2008 or later installed and running on your computer, or a computer connected on the network. If you have not, please cancel the Wizard and close Auction Manager and read this here.

The computer name can be localhost or '\\127.0.0.1', or the name of your computer or another computer running SQL Server. Sometimes the computer name does not work for Windows XP, so the IP address is required.

The instance name of the SQL Server Instance is required. To find the instance name, you can run the SQL Server Configuration Manager (Start ->All progrmas->Microsoft SQL Server 2005 -> Configuration Tools -> SQL Server Configuration Manager) and click 'SQL Server Services'. On the right hand pane the instance name will be shown in brackets after the server name. For example 'SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)'.

The server port can be changed, but the default is 1433.

If you have added a specific user to SQL Server then you can connect with this Username and Password. Otherwise use your Windows login.

Finish

Your all done. Click Finish and the SQL Server database will be created and setup. Your profile will be setup and will be set as the default. You can now start using Auction Manager.