According to the EndNote FAQs on Network/Sharing Issues(see Network 4 and 5): 1) EndNote X2 and later are designed to be installed or deployed directly to users workstations, and EndNote no longer supports installing directly to a shared server; 2) EndNote only allows one user to open a library and add and edit records at a time. EndNote does not perform “record locking” functions which allow multiple users to edit records in a shared database at one time. You do have the option of setting the library properties as Read-Only in Windows (or Locked on a Mac), this will allow multiple people to open the library at the same time, but nobody will be able to add or edit references when the library is opened with Read-Only access.
Since all of your users have EndNote a solution for sharing references (albeit not file attachments due to copyright issues) is to use EndNote Web. (See below for further info and this how-to video “Sharing References with EndNote Web”.)
EndNote Web: How to share references for a collaborative document Article #:106437
The best way to do this is through the use of EndNote Web. Each user will need to have an account. If they have purchased EndNote X2.0.1 or later , they are eligible to get a 2 year subscription to EndNote Web. Please see this article for more information.
If your institution has a Web of Knowledge account, then you will also get an EndNote Web account when you register from within the authenticated network for Web of Knowledge.
1.Once each user has an account, you can then create a group or groups in your EndNote Web library that will hold the references you want to share.
2.Once the group or groups are created, you will want to go to the Organize tab and choose Manage My Groups.
3.In here you will need to check the Share boxes for any group you wish to have others use.
4.Once you’ve chosen which groups to share, click the Manage Sharing Button.
5.Now choose the “Start sharing this group” link.
6.Type out the e-mail address(es) that each user you wish to share the group with, used to register for EndNote Web. Make sure each address is on it’s own line.
7.Choose Read & Write for each user to allow them to edit the references in the group you are sharing and add new references to the group.
The users should now have the group(s) you shared with them in their shared groups section of the library. Each user will need to do the following in order to use the Cite While You Write tools with the shared group.
1.Log into www.myendnoteweb.com
2.Go to Organize / Other’s Groups
3.Check the Show and “Use for Cite While You Write” for access.
Now the users can add, edit and use the references from this mass shared folder in your EndNote Web account in Word. If they delete a reference, it will be removed from the shared group, but still in your EndNote Web library. You have the administration privileges but the users can manage the folder’s contents on their own.