The following text is technical and is intended for use by professional IT persons with an extensive knowledge and experience with network installations.

Virtual Machine Networks

UniCem can be installed on a VM type network. Testing is under way for CitRix Networks, but we have successfully installed UniCem on a simulated Virtual Machine (VM) network. VM networks are managed by in-house Server Specialists and System Administrators. Users are connected to a Virtual Machine (a computer operating system running in hardware emulation software on a server computer), and are presented a preconfigured windows desktop, where they can launch their application.

The window that is presented to them (the user) is called a "Thin Client" program.Only the screen, keyboard, mouse, printers etc. are presented to the user in the window. All the processing is done elsewhere on powerful "servers" computers.

Our test environment documentation is available here.

Local Network (peer to peer network)

UniCem is Multi-User capable. Installation is done using a standard Windows installer. The program and data files are installed by default to your C:\ drive in the folder..

• The UNC naming convention must be used instead of drive letters or mapped drive letters.
• Full Administrative privileges are required for installing UniCem

Default Installation Folders

C:\unicem (Program Folder)
C:\unicem\cemdata (Data folder for all files)
C:\unicem\cemdata\maps (For all your map page pictures)

After initial installation, change the file locations from \unicem to \\<YourNetworkPCName>\unicem ... How to do this is demonstrated further on in this text.

UniCem Startup and File Locations

The main executables are ..

Start UniCem by launching the unicem.exe .

• unicem.exe: - Startup program, uses the company.dbf file in the local folder to present the available installed company data files in predetermined folders. It also checks to see if outside access to the internet is available. If outside access is available, the lower part of the startup window will display .. Internet: OK
• main.exe:- The main UniCem executable. Called up when the user double clicks on the select company.

Peer-to Peer Network Workstations

Each PC on the network (or virtual pc environment) must have its own working environment. In a local LAN segment, each pc should have a copy of the UniCem folder structure (except for the CEMDATA folder, which is the common data folder for the company). Each workstation has a local company.dbf file, which its main program uses to find where its files are.

If the workstation is NOT the same PC as where the CEMDATA folder is kept, remove the folder called UniCem\data\ . This will then "tell" the workstation that it is a workstation and not the main pc.  On the Main PC, or the server copy of UniCem, there should also be a \unicem\data\ folder .

Workstation Install from Server Copy

You can also install UniCem on a workstation by using Explorer. Navigate to the UniCem.exe file on the server copy and run it.

The UniCem program will copy the required file to the workstation and start to install it's self.

You will need to set a shortcut to the unicem.exe yourself on the desktop.

The UniCem program will attempt to register a couple of dll's for use by the backup program. If it fails to register, don't worry.

This can be sorted later. Most dll's are not required for normal operation and are used by ancillary programs only.

Bullzip PDF printer and Ghostscript Lite

UniCem on first time install will try to install a Free ware PDF printer. This is needed if the PDF facility is required in the installation. Note that the Emailing of receipts required the Bullzip printer.

Editing the Company file to set the data file locations.

On each workstation, edit the company file to set the file locations for the data files and the report template files (reports folder).

Tip: If the Cemdata folder is on the server PC, just set the file locations for one PC, then copy the UniCem folder (and subfolders) to the other PC's .

Click on the Edit Button to go to the company editor .

The screen shows a list of defined companies...

Click on "Edit Selected Company"

This screen shows the record in the company.dbf file the company.

Click on the Edit button to start editing the record

The Company Description is for reference only. Just skip this field.

Database Container Name: This is the name of the database container file for the company. It is a file which keeps track of the tables used in UniCem. The database container name is set only by the next line Database Folder  Locate  button. Read on ..

• Database Folder: Use the Locate button to navigate to the folder containing the Cemdata.dbc file on your server, or wherever it may have been copied to. Select it. The database container name is set in the previous line.
• Reports Folder: Set to c:\unicem\reports\ . The report files are templates for report printing and have a file extension of .frt and .frx
• UniRes Main: The server should have a copy of the c:\unicem folder structure for reference. The server or main PC reference should be set to \\serverpc\unicem\ . This is important as updates to UniCem executables can be saved to the server copy unicem folder, and the workstation will update automatically when a new update to the software is provided.

The Map Picture Location is a reference to a graphic file or logo file. If set, the startup program will display a large graphic for each company to the right of the company selector list. The user can click on the graphic then to launch UniCem. This can be skipped as it's not critical to the installation.

(Note: the UniRes Main should read UniCem main.)

Click on SAVE to save the changes.

If the company file can be found by the Startup program the word Available is shown next to the Company name.

If the word Off-Line is shown next to the company name, then something is wrong with the file location setting.

Citrix Servers

UniCem as at this writing has not been tested on Citrix. If you are installing under Citrix and want  to present a Citrix Terminal Screen running UniCem, test the installation by installing a copy of the UniCem folder structure on a reachable server, then install UniCem on the server farm. Each UniCem session must have its own working environment with sufficient memory to run. The number of file "shares" is dependant on the OS version, service packs and fine tuning of VFP apps under Citrix.

The UniCem program is not client-server based as the data files are just files that need to be opened during the program run. UniCem needs to know where the files are located before a database can be opened for use.

Consider using VPN

If UniCem is problematic running under Citrix, consider setting up a Virtual Private Network for the users LAN segment, with the data residing on your Server for security.

For reference, here is a link which may be useful in assist you with the Citrix VPN setup...

http://support.citrix.com/proddocs/index.jsp?topic=/access-gateway-45/agae-resources-creating-for-vpn-access.html

The main data folder for your company can reside anywhere on your reachable local network.

One computer must be designated as the "Main" installation. Usually the same one where the data is stored.

Network Server Based Installation: Install UniCem on your server, then on each workstation use Windows Explorer to navigate to the Server folder and start the unicem.exe file. UniCem will copy itself to the workstation c:\unicem folder. You then create a shortcut on the desktop starting the c:\unicem\unicem.exe program and set the 'Start-In folder to c:\Unicem.

Your Computer Administrator should install UniCem with full Administrator Privileges and make sure that the server folders and the local folders have sufficient rights to work together.

Internet Support

UniCem support is available using TeamViewer Software. TeamViewer Software establishes a secure communications link between your PC and the Arcbase - UniCem support desk.
TeamViewer provides screen, keyboard and mouse duplication services, so we, at the support desk, can phone you and work with your computer like we were sitting next to you.
We can also transfer files and updates using TeamViewer.

Alternatively, if your network is locked down with no outside access, special arrangements may be made for support. eg. FTP common area, VPN Client etc. Please call if this is required.

Automatic Updates
UniCem checks for updates over the internet automatically on startup (from the Main installation only), and will advise you if an update is available.

Automatic Workstation Updates
If the Main Installation downloads an update, the workstation can detect this and they too will auto-update from the main installation when UniCem is started.

Custom User Screens
If you want to restrict access to UniCem areas, the built-in password-access system allows setting of seven access levels.

How UniCem updates itself

If the Main UniCem pc has access to the Internet and the www.arcbase.com.au web site, it will look (at startup) for an new update. The user is notified if an update is available and asked if they want to download the update.

If the update is downloaded, the user must wait for the download to finish before that can continue.

The next time the user start UniCem, the user is asked to install the update. This only takes a few seconds, by the user must have admin privileges. Workstations all check the main installation for the update files called main.upd and compares the version number of the files and then installs automatically.

Setting the Map Location Path

If you install the UniCem data " \cemdata\" on a server in a network environment, the UniCem Maps Table file needs to adjust its references to map background files. There is a utility in the Administration TAB of the Command Centre (the main window after selecting the company at startup), to set the map references.

1. Click on the Yellow Set Picture Location button. (Lower right under Import)
2. Click on Locate Button (Local map Path Line). Navigate to the UNICEM\DATA\MAPS folder and select it.
3. Click on Save Settings.
4. You may have to restart UniCem.

If the Set map Picture Location button doesn't respond, please call Ron at UniCem support who will help.

Technical Assistance Contact