The Racing System -- Database Servers

The Racing System uses a database to store all of the race information. The program accesses this database using an engine called Sybase SQL Anywhere. This engine has an excellent reputation within the computer industry for both reliability and robustness. The full specifications on SQL Anywhere are available from the Sybase website. In brief, the server can be installed on Windows (Windows 95, Windows NT, XP, etc) (basically, the same type of machine as is specified for The Racing System).

The Racing System is supplied with the standalone version of SQL Anywhere which cannot be used by more one person at a time. However, SQL Anywhere is scalable and a server version can be used which will allow several people to access the database. We do not supply the server version of SQL Anywhere as better discounts are available from resellers within USA. Please see below for price and vendor details.

If you do purchase a database server, we will be pleased to help you with the installation of the server and the upgrade of The Racing System.

Why Multiple Users?

Multiple users can be useful. One person could compare the data against the manual results before the race finishes. Or you could have multiple people doing data entry before the race. It's up to you to decide what's best for your situation but please feel free to contact us for advice. As a general rule of thumb, if you have only a few hundred racers, then you may not want a database server.

Before you purchase a database server, please contact us and we will send you a new license for your copy of The Racing System (the one you already have will not work for more than one user).

SQL Anywhere Server prices

Unfortunately, we do not have any control over the price of Sybase products. And we would love to provide you with a database server free of charge but our accountants won't let us. Not to mention that it would contravene the Sybase license conditions. However, we have done some research and have found that PROVANTAGE provides both good service and fair prices. Please see the following table for the relevant prices as of 4 May 1998 and taken from their website. All prices are in US$ and exclude shipping.

Product	Price
Sybase SQL Anywhere 5.5 server	$221.95
SQL Anywhere Client Access License	$87.95
Sybase SQL Anywhere 5.5 server (4 user)	$444.95

The SQL Anywhere server comes with a single Client Access license. For each additional user, you will require another Client Access License. The following table demonstrates the cost of each product.

Users	Server cost	SQL Anywhere Client Licenses @ $87.95 each		*The Racing System*	Total Cost
Users	Server cost	Qty	Sub-total	*The Racing System*	Total Cost
1	n/a	n/a	n/a	$200.00	$200.00
2	$221.95^{^¹}	1	$87.95	$200.00	$509.91
3	$221.95	2	$175.90	$200.00	$597.85
4	$444.95^{^²}	n/a	n/a	$200.00	$644.95
5	$444.95	1	$87.95	$200.00	$732.90
1 - Sybase SQL Anywhere 5.5 server 2 - Sybase SQL Anywhere 5.5 server (4 user)