The “Florida Clone” How to create a single CD that can be used by every site.

What TaxWise Isn’t Designed to do.  TaxWise assumes one EFIN and multiple users.  The EFIN is stored in the “setup” file, which is not associated with any particular user.

How To Solve the Problem.  Create a specific setup file for each EFIN.  Copy the correct setup file into TaxWise as part of the startup process.  This is what the FL Clone does.

There Are Three Programs:  A program to build the TaxWise icons. This creates the unique startup file for each EFIN.  A program to build a single compressed image for loading onto each computer.  A program that gets put on the distribution CD. This loads the software onto the “target” computer.

Creating the Icons – Step 1.  You must have a fully configured UTS09 with all EFINs, defaults, etc. No shortcuts here.  Run “TW Make Icons”  Establish a CPCN (Clone PC Number) and a Workstation Number.

Step 1, continued.  The “Make Icons” program will create an Icon for each user and store them in a folder called “TWICONS” in UTS09.  It will also store a unique “Setup.000” file for each user, and the code to copy it into UTS09 at startup. These are in a folder called “UTSICONS”.

Build the Zip File – Step 2  This is simple; run “TWZip” and follow the instructions.  This will create a compressed version of your UTS09 which will be used to install TaxWise and it’s icons on the target computer.

Create a CD – Step 4.  Copy all the stuff in the clone folder to the CD Drive (Use Windows, or any program for writing CDs. I like “Infrarecorder”)  Copy other stuff onto the CD. This may include printer drivers, Pub. 17, procedures, and whatever else you like to have on the target computer.

Loading TaxWise – Step 5.  Insert the CD into the target computer. The FL Clone Autorun program should start.  Follow the instructions; load TaxWise, setup the CPCN, copy the Icons, set the “Starting DCN”.  Load other software as required.

The Biggest “Gotcha”.  TaxWise starts with a specific user, which has a specific EFIN, etc.  The counselor says: “Oops, I started with the wrong icon. No problem, I’ll just do Change User.”  Now the return has the correct user, but is under the wrong EFIN.  You get the “EFIN not Registered” error message, and there’s no easy way out.