On a Server or network computer setup a shared data drive. Typically I create a folder called data or qbdata. All quickbooks company files *.qbw should reside in this folder.
At the workstation you will map Q: to \\servername\data
Ocassionally you run across workstations that will not keep the drive mapped. Create a batch file in notepad or some other text editor, call it mapdrives for example. Type the following and then save the file:
net use Q: \\servername\data Save the file as mapdrives.bat to the desktop.
Locate your Startup folder on your computer. This is the folder were programs and batch files load when you boot the computer.
On my workstation which is Windows 7 it was C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Drag or copy the mapdrives batch file into this folder. You can also modify the file with notepad or a text editor and add other drives and commands.
When you reboot the drives should map automatically. You can also run this batch file from the desktop on demand.
On workstations that lose the drive mapping during the day you may have to modify the registry. Launch regedit.
You can find the LAN Autodisconnect parameter in the registry under the subtree HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE under the subkey:
\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters
The valid value range is -1 to 65535 minutes at the command line. To disable Autodisconnect set it to -1.