Demo Mode

What is this?

Demo Mode lets you explore Margin Master with a fully populated sample database for a specific vendor. It downloads a pre-built database from the cloud, switches the application to use it, and marks the window so you always know you are working with demo data. Your real database is never modified.

How to Enter Demo Mode

1. From the main menu, click Help > Demo Mode > Enter Demo Mode...
2. The Demo Mode dialog opens and loads a list of available vendor demo databases from the cloud
3. Select a vendor from the list (e.g., Ace Hardware or Do-It-Best)
   • Each entry shows the vendor name and the application version the demo was built for
4. Click Enter Demo Mode
5. A confirmation dialog appears:
   • Shows the vendor name and the demo database name that will be created
   • Confirms that your current database will not be modified
6. Click Yes to proceed

What Happens When You Enter Demo Mode

After you confirm, Margin Master performs the following steps automatically:

1. Saves your current connection -- Your active server and database names are recorded so you can return to them later
2. Downloads the demo database -- A compressed SQL Server backup file is downloaded from Azure cloud storage. A progress bar shows download progress
3. Restores the database -- The backup is extracted and restored to your local SQL Server as a new database named MarginMaster_Demo_{VendorName} (e.g., MarginMaster_Demo_AceHardware)
4. Registers the connection -- The demo database is added to your connection registry so it appears in the Database menu
5. Switches to the demo database -- The application reinitializes against the new demo database, running the full startup flow
6. Updates the title bar -- The window title now includes DEMO MODE so you always know you are in demo mode

Tip: The download and restore process may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed and the size of the demo database. The progress bar keeps you informed throughout.

Working in Demo Mode

While in demo mode, the application behaves like a real database for most features. You can:

• Sync vendor data
• Create and execute pricing strategies
• Run the Profit Analyzer
• Explore all menus and features

Note: Importing point-of-sale data is not available in demo mode. POS imports require additional store-specific configuration that is not included in the demo database.

The only visual difference is the DEMO MODE indicator in the title bar. All changes you make are confined to the demo database and have no effect on your production data.

Managing Demo Mode

Once in demo mode, the menu changes from "Enter Demo Mode..." to Help > Demo Mode > Manage Demo Mode.... Clicking it opens the Demo Mode dialog with two options:

• Reset Demo Data -- Downloads a fresh copy of the demo database, replacing all changes you have made
• Return to Regular Mode -- Exits demo mode and switches back to your original database

Resetting Demo Data

If you have made changes to the demo database and want to start fresh:

1. Click Help > Demo Mode > Manage Demo Mode...
2. Click Reset Demo Data
3. A confirmation dialog warns that all changes made in demo mode will be lost
4. Click Yes to proceed

Margin Master drops the current demo database, downloads a fresh copy from the cloud, restores it, and reinitializes the application. This gives you a clean starting point to explore the application again.

Returning to Regular Mode

When you are finished exploring the demo:

1. Click Help > Demo Mode > Manage Demo Mode...
2. Click Return to Regular Mode
3. A confirmation dialog shows your original database name and asks whether to delete the demo database:
   • Yes -- Exits demo mode and deletes the demo database from your SQL Server
   • No -- Exits demo mode but keeps the demo database on disk (you can reconnect to it later from the Database menu)
   • Cancel -- Stays in demo mode

Regardless of your choice, Margin Master switches back to your original database, runs the full startup flow, and removes the DEMO MODE indicator from the title bar.

Tip: If you choose to keep the demo database, you can reconnect to it later from the File menu without re-downloading it. However, it will not be updated to reflect newer demo data until you re-enter demo mode.

Common Questions

Q: Does demo mode affect my real database? A: No. Your production database is never modified while in demo mode. Margin Master saves your original connection and restores it when you exit.

Q: Can I enter demo mode for a different vendor? A: Yes. Exit demo mode first by returning to regular mode, then enter demo mode again and select a different vendor.

Q: What if I close the application while in demo mode? A: When you relaunch, Margin Master detects the saved demo mode state and continues in demo mode. If the demo database was deleted externally, the stale state is cleared automatically and you return to your original database.

Q: How much disk space does the demo database use? A: This depends on the vendor. Expect the demo database to use roughly the same space as the compressed download file after extraction and restore.

Q: Do I need an internet connection to enter demo mode? A: Yes. The demo database is downloaded from Margin Master cloud servers. Once downloaded, you do not need internet access to use the demo database.