Setting up the database- SQL compact

Owned by Alanna Connolly (Unlicensed)
Last updated: 27-01-2023
2 min read

SQL compact is a file based solution to store your PCOC data.

If you wish to use this method of database, a pre-configured database will be sent to you from PCOC or PACOP. This file is called pcoc.sdf or pacop.sdf.


If you do not have this file please contact is via email at pcoc@uow.edu.au (for PCOC) or pacop-data@uow.edu.au (for PACOP).


Save the database sent to you (pcoc.sdf or pacop.sdf) in the location where it will be permanently stored. Ideally this is on a networked sever. All users will need access to this location. Please note the location where this database is stored.


Incorrect configuration of this file can lead to data being entered incorrectly which cannot be easily rectified. If you are unsure about which file to use, please contact PCOC or PACOP.

Installing palCentre

To install palCentre and its dependencies, follow these steps:

  1. Unzip the file

  2. Click on the file named 1a-SSCERuntime_x64-ENU.exe. Follow the instructions provided. If that doesn't work, try again but with the file 1b-SSCERuntime_x86-ENU.exe.

  3. Click the file named palCentre.msi
  4. You will be prompted for an install folder.  palCentre will work when installed in C:\Program Files (x86)\AHSRI\palCentre\ (the default) or any other local (not network) folder available to the machine.

  5. You will be prompted for a folder in which to store the configuration file.  This path should be a location where ordinary users have read and write access.  We recommend C:\palCentre\, however, we have allowed this as a configuration option in order to support different partitioning configurations including storing configuration files on a network drive.

Configuring the SQL Compact via the database configuration wizard

Running palCentre for the first time will take you to the configuration wizard. Please follow these illustrated steps to have palCentre up and running.

  1. Open palCentre. This will start the configuration wizard
  2. The following screen will open, click on Yes and then next.
  3. Click on SQL compact and then locate the pre-configured database. Enter the password 'pcoc'. Click on next.


  4. Enter the encryption key as per the installation documentation sent to you and click on next.


  5. This screen is not required so please click on next



  6. palCentre has now been configured correctly. Click on close.


  7. palCentre will have created a configuration file after this installation process. This file can be found under C:\palCentre\ The file name is palcentre.config


Congratulations, you have completed the Database Setup Wizard. 

An XML file called palcentre.config will be created in the folder you specified during the install procedure (the default is C:\palCentre\). That file is very important. It should be backed up and we ask services to send it to us so that we can also keep it on our secured server. Please send this configuration file to pcoc@uow.edu.au (for PCOC) or pacop-data@uow.edu.au (for PACOP).  The Database Configure Wizard only needs to be run once to create and configure the palCentre database.  After this has been run, all palCentre clients can be configured pasting the palcentre.config file in the folder C:\palCentre\ or wherever was designated during installation.