FTP Site

The FTP (File Transfer Protocol) site is where data can be saved to or retrieved from when working with the Implementation or Support teams. Each company has a separate FTP folder. Please contact Technical Support at [email protected] if FTP login information is needed. To access the FTP, a client such as FileZilla or WSFTP is required. FileZilla may be downloaded by following the steps detailed in the "Accessing the FTP site" section below. Following FileZilla configuration, follow the instructions in the "Saving and retrieving files on the FTP" section to upload Deacom backup files to the FTP site for Implementation and Support use.

Accessing the FTP site

  1. Download and unzip the FileZilla application.
    1. Address: https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?show_all=1
    2. Application Name: "FileZilla_x.xx.x_win32.zip".
      1. Do not select the setup.exe file.
      2. Do not click on other links while the program is downloading.
      3. Even if the system being used is a 64bit system, download the 32bit application.
      4. Windows Explorer cannot be used to access the FTP site.
    3. When the above file is downloaded, it will be in a zipped format and normally in the Downloads folder in Windows Explorer. Double click the file and click "Extract all files".
      1. Locate the "FileZilla" application in the unzipped folder to launch the FileZilla application.
      2. Create a desktop shortcut.
      3. Once the application has been launched, the user will be presented with the FileZilla window (see screenshots following these steps).
  2. Create the FTP connection/site.
    1. Navigate to File > Site Manager.
    2. Click the "New Site" button. Once this is done, there will be a box with a blinking cursor in the "Select Entry" window on this form. Enter an appropriate name for this FTP connection/site, such as "Deacom FTP".
    3. Ensure the "Logon Type" is set to "Normal" on the right-hand side of this form if credentials are to be saved, or "Ask for password".
    4. Ensure the "Protocol" box is set to "SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol".
    5. In the "Host" field, type "ftp.Deacom.com".
    6. In the "Username" and "Password" fields, type in the credentials supplied by Deacom based on above "Logon Type" setting.
    7. Click the "Connect" button to complete the logon process.
      • If a warning regarding the server's certificate of authenticity is received, select the option to always trust the connection.
      • Users will be able to verify the connection has been established via the messages displayed in the top window portion of the form.
      • Users will notice that their environment/folder structure will be displayed on the left-hand side of the FileZilla window and the Deacom FTP environment/folder structure will be displayed on the right-hand side of the window.
    8. Once the site is set up, click on the down arrow under "File" to connect quickly.

Saving files to and retrieving files from the FTP

Preparing backup files

  1. Create a backup or locate the most recent backup. Reference System Administration > Database Backup for instructions on how to manually create a backup.
  2. Depending on the company's Deacom version, there will be 2 or more files. Company database and System database are required; Documents databases are applicable if using version 14.1 and higher.
  3. Highlight the backup files and zip up the files. This will speed up the transfer but is not required.

Transferring files

  1. Open FileZilla and ensure the computer is connected to the FTP (see the above Accessing the FTP site section if details are needed).
  2. Users may select the name of the FTP site that was set up in step 4 of the Accessing the FTP site section above by selecting it from the File pick list at the top left-hand side of the FileZilla window. Then, users may click the "Connect" button to logon to the FTP site. This saves users from having to type in the host name, username, and password each time.
  3. To place files on the Deacom FTP, select the zipped backup files and drag and drop them on the right-hand side of the window.
  4. To retrieve files from the Deacom FTP, select the desired files from the right-hand side of the window and drag and drop them to the left-hand side.

FAQ & Diagnostic Tips

How do I zip files?

Highlight the files to be zipped, right click and select Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder. If the file exceeds the built-in Windows limit, you will need a program to zip the file, such as Winzip, 7-Zip, or WinRAR.