DBMS/Copy

DBMS/Copy 8.0 for Windows

• DBMS/Copy Overview
• License Information
• Obtain a Personal Copy of DBMS/Copy
• Use DBMS/Copy on the App2Go Server
• Manuals & Training
• Support & Consultation

DBMS/Copy Overview

DBMS/COPY is a tool for transferring data between software programs such as spreadsheets, databases and statistical programs including SAS, SPSS, JMP, S-Plus, SigmaStat and Stata. DBMS/COPY directly reads and writes the native binary files of over 80 packages. DBMS/COPY’s interactive ASCII Data Dictionary Builder is useful for working with ASCII files. DBMS/COPY takes care of dissimilar numeric types, date variables, time variables, null value and variable name truncation. The built-in batch processing can automate repetitive transfers.

In 2002, DBMS/Copy was acquired by SAS. SAS informed VCU that they were discontinuing development and support of DBMS/Copy effective November 1, 2008. Because VCU has a perpetual license for DBMS/Copy, it will be continue to be distributed to the VCU community until new data formats make it obsolete.   Note: The current release of DBMS/Copy is NOT supported under Microsoft VISTA or Windows 7.

DBMS/Copy License Information

VCU has obtained a site license for dfPower DBMS/COPY 8.0 for Windows.

DBMS/COPY licenses are available free to current VCU faculty, staff and students for on campus use as a service provided by Technology Services. Also included in this license is DBMS/Explorer.

DBMS/Copy obtained under this site license can only be used on the VCU campus by current VCU faculty,s taff and students.
Personal copies of DBMS/COPY are available by on campus download.  In addition, five (5) concurrent use licenses of DBMS/COPY  available for use by VCU reseachers on the App2Go Server.

Obtain a Personal Copy of DBMS/Copy

• Download DBMS/COPY

The DBMS/COPY download file is a self-extracting zip file containing many files.  When you double click on install_dbmscopy80.exe, by default it will extract these files into a directory called C:\dbmscopy8.

To install after extracting:
Select Start, Run...
In the Open box enter: C:\dbmscopy8\setup.exe
Press OK
After downloading DBMS/COPY, a serial number will be sent to your @vcu.edu e-mail account.
The first time DBMS/COPY is run, you will be prompted to enter this serial number.

Use DBMS/Copy on the App2Go Server

 Using a Windows, Mac or Linux computer, you are able to access DBMS/Copy via a browser window. Although DBMS/Copy runs on the App2Go Server, it appears to be running on your PC. You can open, save and print files from your PC. Applications on the App2Go server are available to support research projects and are not intended for instructional use.

Current VCU faculty, staff and students may request an App2Go account to access DBMS/Copy on the App2Go Server for research. Documentation on how to use of the App2Go Server will provide you details such as system requirements, installation, opening files, saving files and printing.  

Manuals & Training

Documentation for DBMS/COPY and DBMS/Explorer installs automatically. Manuals can be accessed by selecting the program menu: Help, Manuals On-line.
A PDF version of the dfPower DBMS/Copy 8.0 User's Guide is available on the program Help menu. 

DBMS/Copy Manuals on Reserve in TML

Support & Consultation

For assistance with installing or using DBMS/Copy, contact the VCU Technology Services Help Desk.

This page was updated on Friday, October 30, 2009