After installation

you can run PA by selecting Project Assistant from the start menu

While the splash screen is present, PA will try to locate the last database file loaded. Since this is the first time we have run the application, it will not find one and display the No Data Source found Dialogue shown below.

This form will be displayed anytime PA fails to find a file to load during startup.

From this form you have three options; you can load an existing file, create a new file or exit the application. Again since we have never run PA before, we will not be able to find a valid PA database to open, so we can ether create a new one or quit.

Click the Create New File button and the following dialogue box will be displayed

On the above dialogue box click the ellipse button and then navigate to the folder where you want to create the new file, again this would typically be somewhere on your server where all project members have access.

After selecting the folder you can then type the file name you want to assign to the file to create and then click the create button.

PA will now attempt to create all the required Access tables and queries required for PA to function correctly. Depending upon your machine specification, this could take a few minutes to complete. While PA is creating these tables, a Wait Dialogue Window will be displayed and will indicate the current activity that PA is performing.

Once PA has finished, a Database Created Confirmation popup window will be displayed

Click OK, and PA will continue to load your newly created database. Once the database file has been opened, PA will need your Login username and password. Since this is a new database, PA has created a default account with the following credentials:

Username: admin

Password: admin

The text is all lowercase and should be entered when the following Login screen appears

When you have entered the above details click OK, and PA will complete the loading process, and you have now created your first project assistant database.

What Next?

Before you can start entering data into the database, you need to provide project assistant with some administrative information regarding your company, your users and the projects you are going to control. Some of this information is mandatory, some information is optional but recommended and some information has already been created by PA but may need your review.

This administrative process is only required when a new database is created but can be amended at anytime.

It is recommended that you now read the Screen Overview section to familiarise yourself with the screen layout, followed by the Step By Step Setup Guide , which will guide you through the administrative process of setting up project assistant.