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Fanurio 4.0 Beta1 Released - Introducing the server version

August 11, 2015

We're very happy to announce that version 4.0-beta1 is now available for download.

This is great news for people who have been waiting to use Fanurio with their team and for people who need to run Fanurio on multiple computers.

Introducing the server version

When we set out to build Fanurio, our goal was to create a time tracking and billing application that would help self-employed people manage their business. Today, Fanurio is a mature application that is used by people all over the world to track time, manage projects and get paid for their work.

Over time, we've seen how some of our users have grown their business to a point where they had to hire more people. Since they loved using Fanurio when they were working solo, they asked us if there will be a multi-user version that they can use with their teams.

Up until now, we've focused on building a great product for freelancers. Now it's time to take the next step and make Fanurio available to teams as well. Starting with version 4.0, we're redesigning Fanurio to handle time tracking and billing for freelancers and teams.

From now on there will be two versions of Fanurio, a standalone version and a server version.

  • The standalone version is designed for freelancers who work on a single computer.

    This version is Fanurio as you know it. If you already have a license, it allows you to use the standalone version.

    The pricing for the standalone version remains the same. A license is $59 while the annual maintenance plan is $19 or $29 depending on whether it is renewed before or after it ends.

  • The server version is designed for teams and freelancers who work on multiple computers.

    This version is licensed per user and is sold as a separate product. A license costs $119 / user and it comes with updates and support for one year. After one year, you have access to support and updates only if you have an active annual maintenance plan. The annual maintenance plan is $39 / user if renewed before it ends and $59 / user after that.

    If you already have a license for the standalone version and your maintenance plan is active then you can upgrade to the server version for $60 / user.

    The server version can be installed only on one server.

    Beta pricing: During the beta period you can purchase a license for the server version for $89 / user. If you already have a license for the standalone version and your maintenance plan is active then you can upgrade to the server version for $30 / user. Please contact us if you want to purchase one or more licenses for the server version.

Although we are now introducing the server version, this doesn't mean we'll stop developing the standalone version. Features implemented for the server version that are not server specific will also be available for the standalone version.

What's different about the server version

Unlike the standalone version, the server version makes it possible for multiple users to work together on the same projects. The difference between the two versions can be summarized as follows:

Server version = Standalone version +
Support for multiple users +
Ability to synchronize data from multiple computers.

More specifically, the following features are available only in the server version:

  • To run the server version, you need to run Fanurio in server mode on one computer and in client mode on all other computers that need to connect to the server.

  • The server version needs a separate license key. It indicates how many users are allowed to work on the same projects. The license key needs to be registered only on the server.

  • Even if you are just one user, you will need to log in with your username and password to open the repository. If you want Faurio to open the repository automatically, you can ask it to remember you.

  • The server must be online when you log in from a different computer for the first time. After that, you can work on your projects even if the server is not online. This solution is ideal if you need to work outside the office where the server may not be available.

  • Fanurio synchronizes local changes with the server automatically. It can also detect and resolve conflicts.

Although the server version has specific features, it's not a separate application. The same application can run in standalone mode or in server mode depending on the registered license key.

How to install the server version

Before installing the server version, you need to decide which computer will run the server and which computers will connect to the server. Then you can download it on all computers and follow the neccessary steps to set up the server and the clients.

The steps for new users are different from the steps for users who upgrade from the standalone version.

A note to single users who need to run Fanurio on multiple computers

Up until now, the only reasonable solution to run Fanurio on multiple computers was to synchronize data through a file synchronization service like Dropbox, Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. But this solution has a downside, you have to quit Fanurio on one computer to use it on the other. If you don't do this, your database will be corrupted.

If you need to use Fanurio on multiple computers, we recommend using the server version because it can synchronize data and handle conflicts. All you have to do is run the server version on one (main) computer and the client version on all other computers.

If you don't want to upgrade from the standalone version to the server version, you can continue to synchronize your data through a file synchornization service but you need to be careful not to run Fanurio on more than one computer at a time.

Should I use this version?

We're releasing this version mainly for users who don't want to wait until we finish implementing all the features. The following things are on our todo list for the final release:

  • Update documentation

  • Improve per-user reporting

  • Implement access rights. In the current version, all users have access to everything.

This beta version is recommended for teams who don't need to set access rights for their members and for single users who need to use Fanurio on multiple computers.

Please let us know if you would like to try the new server version. We'd love to hear what you think about it.