Backing up your IRIS database
IRIS training notes

Contents

Introduction

Check user access

Back up IRIS

Restore IRIS from a backup file

Contact the IRIS Helpdesk:

Introduction

The Integrated Reports & Information System (IRIS) is a tool used by organisations to provide mandatory reportson their activities to the Department of Health and Human Services and other Victorian State Government departments.

Data loss can occur for any number of reasons and can be a very time consuming waste. Data loss is unpredictable and could potentially occur at any time. Because of thiswe recommend that you backup your database regularly.

In some circumstances a backup and restore process is recommended by the IRIS helpdesk to find and correct some minor errors in the database.

This guide provides instructions for backing up and restoring for IRIS users with the Firebird server.

Please note this guide is not applicable if IRIS is running with a Microsoft SQL Server database.

Check useraccess

To be able to perform database backups an IRIS user must be in the ‘administrator’ or ‘supervisor’ access group. An IRIS administrator can check or change a user’s access by following the instructions below.

  1. Select Staff Maintenance from the Agency menu to display the Staff List screen.
  2. Highlightthe name of the staff member who will be performing backups and click Open
  3. If required select supervisor or administrator under the Access Group drop down list and click OK to save.
    .
  4. Ask the staff member to log out of IRIS and back in again to update their access. They should now be able to perform backups.

Backup IRIS

  1. Select Backup Database from the File menu
  2. The Backup IRIS Database dialogue box will appear showing the location and filename of the backup file that will be created.
  3. Click the Start Backup button.
  4. Once finished, a *** Backup Complete *** message will appearin the progress window. Click Close to finalise the process.

All data you have added up to this moment is now saved and could be restored by someone with Supervisor or Administrator access should it be necessary.

Restore IRIS from a backup file

Warning: restoring IRIS will overwrite your current database with the saved back up file. It is very important to take care when performing this operation as it is not reversible.

Only perform this procedure in consultation with the IRIS helpdesk or your database administrator. This procedure requires a basic understanding of the DOS language.

  1. Make sure all users are logged out of IRIS.
  2. Open a command prompt window by clicking Win + R then typing cmd + enter
  3. Navigate to the IRIS folder then type in IRISBackup.exe -r and click enter to open the Restore screen.

IRIS training notes – backing up your IRIS database1

Figure 1 Restore IRIS Database window

IRIS training notes – backing up your IRIS database1

  1. From the restore window (Figure 1) click Browse to select the backup file you created earlier then click the Start Restore button.
  2. Click OK to the warning if you are sure you want to overwrite your IRIS database with the backup file.
  1. When complete, a message will appear in the progress window. Click Close to finalise the process.

Contact the IRIS Helpdesk:

For assistance call IRIS Helpdesk on (03) 9096 6919 or send an email to

More information on IRIS can be found in the IRIS User Guide which is included with the IRIS installation. Data dictionaries and other IRIS resources are also available. Ask the IRIS Helpdesk or your contact person within the relevant government department.

To receive this publication in an accessible format phone 03 9096 6919, using the National Relay Service 13 36 77 if required, or email
Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.
© State of Victoria, November 2015
Available at the Funded Agency Channel website <

IRIS training notes – backing up your IRIS database1