Installation Options

January 11, 2019

Presented by: Mike Bennett

Length: 43:13

When you’re ready to install our software, you’ll face several possible options. Choosing the right setup for your needs will ensure a smooth transition to the software and fewer changes in the future. In this webinar, we’ll go over which install options are available to you – including the differences between Single-User and Multi-User, and Cloud Data and Local Data. We’ll help you determine which setup will give you the best results for your office environment, so you can get right to reaping the benefits of Land F/X.

Webinar Contents:

Note: The following catalog of content covered in this webinar is time stamped to allow you to follow along or skip to sections of the video that are relevant to your questions. You can also search for content on this page using the FIND command in your browser (CTRL + F in Windows, Command + F in Mac OS.)

Intro/TOC
The Land F/X Installer
Work Environments
Local Installs
Land F/X Cloud
Shared Online Folder
Cloud and Shared

0:00 – 4:32: Intro/TOC

4:33 – 8:08: The Land F/X Installer

Installing Land F/X (4:43)

Land F/X essentially consists of three components:

Database
Folder
Cloud Content Libraries

LandFX folder:

Plant blocks, irrigation blocks, site blocks, details, Admin & CTB files, software files

Database: Cloud or Local:

Project list, Project managers, associating data with blocks to make them “smart blocks”

Cloud Content Libraries:

Plant database, irrigation manager database, site manufacturer database, CAD blocks

The Land F/X installer (5:56)

The Land F/X installer is a downloadable package that gives you your LandFX folder, your database, and files that are necessary for running the software.

The installer is necessary because, as we update the software, it’s the best way to deploy those updates.

8:09 – 12:19: Work Environments

Considering work environments (8:43)

Are you the only user? If so, a Single-User install with Cloud Data would be ideal.
One computer and one user but needing data accessible anywhere?
Find yourself transferring data to different computers frequently?
Single-User but multiple computers?
Needing to work from multiple locations?
Computer dies? What about your database?

Land F/X installation options (10:10):

Single-User installation

One user or workstation running Land F/X
Database options:

Local Data (SQLite)
Cloud Data

Multi-User installation

Shared LandFX folder with multiple workstations or users
Database options:

Local Data (MySQL)
Cloud Data

Shared online folder installation

Multi-User
Multi-computer
Single-User mobile

12:20 – 18:14: Local Installs

Local Data considerations (12:25)

You may want to choose Local Data if you have an unreliable Internet connection.
Disadvantages:

Increased overhead, server maintenance.
Have to ensure computer is maintained properly.
Cost consideration of real-time off-site backup.

Single-User Local Data (13:58)

Default install option
Local disk C: install
Common install option
SQLite database on computer

Multi-User Local Data (15:25)

Creates the LandFX folder
Creates the Local database
Installs MySQL service
Full read/write permissions required

MySQL components (16:28)

18:15 – 24:33: Land F/X Cloud

The Land F/X Cloud:

Uses Amazon Web Server (AWS) services
Keeps a live database running

Database includes:

Projects
Preferences
Templates

Land F/X is local. This includes:

Hatches
Details
Blocks

What you could potentially see if you lose a server (20:25)

Single-User Cloud installation (21:48)

The LandFX folder is stored locally
Cloud-based database
Runs services from the cloud

Multi-User Cloud installation (BEST OPTION) (22:41):

Installed on an office server or shared online folder (recommended)
Keeps a live database in our cloud
Runs the services from the cloud
Less work on the servers
You can pull a live database in an emergency

24:34 – 31:26: Shared Online Folder

Online storage service: Dropbox, OneDrive, Carbonite, Google Backup and Sync, etc. Depending on your storage needs it’s potentially free.
LandFX folder in the cloud
Database stored in the cloud
Stores copies on all computers

Why use a shared online folder? (26:57)

Allows seamless sharing of files anywhere
Services provide a backup
Easy setup
Little to no cost on your end
Automatic syncing across all computers
Computer dies? Data is still available.
Can control who accesses your data

Sync settings (28:48)

Dropbox Sync (28:48):

Dropbox uses a service called Selective Sync. With Selective Sync enabled folders that are selected will be stored on your hard drive and stored in the cloud.
Lots of blocks, labels, or hatches
Downloading
Select Land F/X to have it stored as a local copy

OneDrive sync settings (30:45)

OneDrive sync settings
OneDrive Sync is similar but allows you to choose between making folders available online only or available offline.

Understanding your work environment combined with our install options can help Land F/X work better for you. (31:10)

31:27 – end: Cloud and Shared

Both options save money and reduce downtime.
Data is stored in the cloud and remains in the cloud.
Great option for single users and multi-office firms alike.
Flexible and easy to manage.
Main caveat: It requires an active Internet connection. You can also tether your phone for a temporary connection, or get a 4G modem.

Switching to Cloud Data (34:20)

You do not have to reinstall.
Easy to switch over.
No extra cost.
Reach out to our Support team and we’ll get you the steps you need.

The Land F/X support team (35:03)

AWS global infrastructure (35:40)

Question: Can the Land F/X cloud handle multiple CAD file formats? (38:05)

Answer: The Land F/X cloud is only the data – anything you see in a Land F/X dialog box. Your DWG files will be saved and stored wherever you keep them. Thus, file formats won’t be affected and you can use different versions of CAD and it won’t matter.