The Pentana application is comprised of two parts, client and server. The client side software is installed on the end user's desktop computer. It is pre-configured to interract with the software installed on the server side. For the purpose of this article, we're discussing the client side software only.
Every Pentana installation has at least two options for installing the client software on the end user's computer. You may choose to use either, or both methods, whichever is best for your organization. In the end, the same software is delivered to the end user, but can be delivered using a different manner. The intent of this article is to help explain the difference between the two methods, so you can choose which will work best for your organization.
Two client installation options:
ClickOnce is a Microsoft technology.
The ClickOnce client is the preferred method of installation because it's easy to install, and will update itself when the server side upgrade is completed.
Installation of a ClickOnce client is done via Internet Explorer or Edge web browsers. Note that Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome are not currently supported. The end user simply needs to browse to the web site, click a button on the page and the applicaiton will begin installing itself. Once completed, it will launch and the user may start using Pentana. No special administrative access is required to install the ClickOnce client.
After the initial installation, each time the client launches, it will look for updates. If any updates have been detected, it will automatically start upgrading itself. If an upgrade is detected, it will notify the user, and ask if they'd like to complete the upgrade.
A ClickOnce client may be removed in the same manner as uninstalling any Windows software, via the Windows Control Panel.
An Xcopy client uses the same software as the ClickOnce method, but is delivered in a different manner. Xcopy client is simply a folder with files inside. This folder can be distributed and copied in the same manner that any file/folder can. It does not need to be installed. After copying the folder to a location on the local machine, the end user simply needs to double click on the "Vision.exe" program to launch it. To remove it, the folder can simply be deleted.
An Xcopy client is easy to distribute over the network as a .zip file, or via thumbdrive, etc. Additionally, local IT may wish to deploy this software using a corporate package management system or terminal services system (like Citrix) that will automatically push this to the end user's desktop and create appropriate shortcuts to manage the installation of the applicaiton.
In the event that a Pentana upgrade happens, a new Xcopy client folder will need to be delivered to the client. If the old version of the client attempts to connect to an upgraded version of the server side software, it will throw an error.
It should be noted that in some cases, a custom MSI may be created. This isn't a part of the standard installation, but can be discussed with your account manager.
Every Pentana installation has at least two options for installing the client software on the end user's computer. You may choose to use either, or both methods, whichever is best for your organization. In the end, the same software is delivered to the end user, but can be delivered using a different manner. The intent of this article is to help explain the difference between the two methods, so you can choose which will work best for your organization.
Two client installation options:
- ClickOnce (preferred)
- Xcopy
ClickOnce:
ClickOnce is a Microsoft technology.
The ClickOnce client is the preferred method of installation because it's easy to install, and will update itself when the server side upgrade is completed.
Installation of a ClickOnce client is done via Internet Explorer or Edge web browsers. Note that Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome are not currently supported. The end user simply needs to browse to the web site, click a button on the page and the applicaiton will begin installing itself. Once completed, it will launch and the user may start using Pentana. No special administrative access is required to install the ClickOnce client.
After the initial installation, each time the client launches, it will look for updates. If any updates have been detected, it will automatically start upgrading itself. If an upgrade is detected, it will notify the user, and ask if they'd like to complete the upgrade.
A ClickOnce client may be removed in the same manner as uninstalling any Windows software, via the Windows Control Panel.
Xcopy:
An Xcopy client uses the same software as the ClickOnce method, but is delivered in a different manner. Xcopy client is simply a folder with files inside. This folder can be distributed and copied in the same manner that any file/folder can. It does not need to be installed. After copying the folder to a location on the local machine, the end user simply needs to double click on the "Vision.exe" program to launch it. To remove it, the folder can simply be deleted. An Xcopy client is easy to distribute over the network as a .zip file, or via thumbdrive, etc. Additionally, local IT may wish to deploy this software using a corporate package management system or terminal services system (like Citrix) that will automatically push this to the end user's desktop and create appropriate shortcuts to manage the installation of the applicaiton.
In the event that a Pentana upgrade happens, a new Xcopy client folder will need to be delivered to the client. If the old version of the client attempts to connect to an upgraded version of the server side software, it will throw an error.
It should be noted that in some cases, a custom MSI may be created. This isn't a part of the standard installation, but can be discussed with your account manager.
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