FAQ's

Below is a list of "frequently asked questions". If you have a question about CrimeSoft and it is not listed here please give us a call at 1-816-792-1871.

Question: What operating systems can CrimeSoft operate on?
Answer: CrimeSoft 5 operates on Windows95/98/NT/ME/2000 with service pack 2 and both XP Professional and XP Home as a single user or networked.
CrimeSoft Advanced 9 operates on Windows XP Pro or Home with service pack 2 , and the new Vista Home, Business, or Ultimate. It can also be used with 2000 or 2003 server as well as Citrix.

Question: Can CrimeSoft also access other information we have on MySQL server?
Answer: Yes, with ease!  CrimeSoft Advanced can access information stored in MS SQL Server, Oracle and MySQL. CrimeSoft utilizes standard system-level DSN's and as an administrator you decide what level of access to provide (read only or read/write). Currently cetified with MS SQL Server 2000, MS SQL Server 2005, Oracle 9g, Oracle 10g, and MySQL 5.0 Community Edition (free). Making CrimeSoft Advanced your one source tool for bringing all your data together.

Question: What printers does CrimeSoft support?
Almost all inkjet printers* as well as most laser printers. The only known issues to date involves certain HP 4000 and 5000 series Laserjet and the Dell 1700 laser drivers for Windows 2000/XP which fail to print properly, however a call to our tech support line will help you get those printers up and running in no time at all. Simply call 1-816-792-1871 and press 1# ( one followed by the pound sign ) during the operator greeting. As of June 2007 the only known printers that cannot be used with CrimeSoft are the low end Lexmark Z32/35/510 series and the HP 7450 series inkjet printers If you experience a problem printing give us a call.

Question: Our department has a Windows 2000 server and a combination of Windows XP, 98 and ME workstations, will CrimeSoft be able to work with this configuration?
Answer: Many departments across the country are using CrimeSoft 5 on Windows XP, 2000 with service pack 2 and to a lesser extent on Windows ME. There have been no reported problems.

Question: We are currently using the Microsoft Streets program to graphically plot addresses that were entered into our dispatching program as well as burglary locations for our investigation team. Is CrimeSoft capable of doing the same?
Answer: Yes. A detailed step by step article is located in the secure customer area "Advanced Tips" section of this web site. If you would like to try this on the evaluation copy of CrimeSoft, just give us a call and we will be happy to fax this article to you.

Question: How long does it take to learn CrimeSoft? Most of our officers are computer novices, will they be able to handle this program?
Answer: Most departments find that they are using CrimeSoft within an hour or less. The program comes with an informative, easy to read, printed manual; however most people find the CrimeSoft interface to be so intuitive and easy to use, that reading the manual is optional (we do recommend that you at least skim over it). Also the CD has a copy of the manual in PDF format along with the PDF reader that allows you to print additional copies if you so desire.

Question: How difficult is it to set-up CrimeSoft for networking and do I need to have other special items?
Answer: CrimeSoft is very easy to set-up. To begin with the program auto installs from the CD all you need to do is specify whether the computer is going to act as a server or a workstation. The Crimesoft manual has concise step by step illustrated instructions that enable even a novice to easily have a network up in running in no time at all. Should you run into an unexpected problem, our tech help line is just a toll-free phone call away. As for special items, all that you need is a inexpensive network card and switch, (and FileMaker Pro 8.5 or later for CrimeSoft Advanced, see www.filemaker.com or your state's Director of Information Resourses) are needed since CrimeSoft is designed to use the existing TCP/IP protocol that came with your Windows operating system.

Question: Our officers use laptop computers in the field. Is CrimeSoft capable of merging their files with a network or other desktop computers used in the station?
Answer: Yes. The multi-user version of CrimeSoft will allow you to install the program into more than 90 laptop computers (we call them remotes). CrimeSoft running on these laptops has additional activated features for merging files including one that allow for the one button exporting of these files to a floppy disk or CD or network connection. The server or other desktop computer can then easily and seamlessly merge the files and records into the main CrimeSoft program.

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