Summary: This article explains the network setup for WorkExpo, and describes the issues that IT managers should consider when installing WorkExpo in a shared environment across a Local Area Network (LAN).
Contents
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Introduction
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Network Installation
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Display the Data File Path in the WorkExpo Title Bar
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Sharing Files Between Different Users of WorkExpo
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WorkExpo Will Run Slower Across a LAN
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WorkExpo File Format (Microsoft Access)
Introduction
WorkExpo is a Microsoft Access database. It consists primarily of two key files (databases) - WORKEXPO.MDE (front-end) and DATA.MDB (back-end). It should be installed so that the data file may be shared by different users at different locations, while all other files including the front-end file WORKEXPO.MDE reside on the local machine.
WorkExpo can automatically create a connection to a back-end file on a network drive. You do not need to copy files manually. It is recommended that you use the FILE/OPEN command in WorkExpo to point to a data file and connect to it.
Network Installation
Follow these steps to set WorkExpo up on a work station
- Log onto the workstation where WorkExpo is to be installed
- Install WorkExpo on the machine using the /Silent switch (silent install) e.g. SETUP.EXE /silent
This switch accept all defaults during setup and installs WorkExpo to c:\program files\workexpo - Start WorkExpo and test that the sample data is displayed correctly. By default the data file will be: c:\program files\workexpo\data.mdb
- Close WorkExpo
- Using Windows Explorer move or copy the single file c:\program files\workexpo\data.mdb to a shared network server location
- All teachers needing access to this data file will require read/write/create permissions on this shared network location
- Start WorkExpo again
- If you moved the data file WorkExpo will prompt for the data.mdb file location
- If you copied the data file WorkExpo will open normally and connect with the default data file c:\program files\workexpo\data.mdb
- If you copied the data file, go to the Main Menu, then FILE / OPEN from the WorkExpo menu bar
- Navigate to the shared network server location of data.mdb
- Select the data file and click OK or OPEN
- WorkExpo re-connects to this network data file and stores its location for future use connecting to it each session
|
File Name |
Default Path |
Path after Network Install |
|
data.mdb |
c:\program files\workexpo |
e.g. //server1/teacher/workexpo |
|
All other files including WorkExpo.mde |
c:\program files\workexpo |
c:\program files\workexpo |
 |
Only a single file data.mdb needs to reside on the network server. All other files should remain on user’s c:drive. |
Display the Data File Path in the WorkExpo Title Bar
WorkExpo can display the current data file path in the title bar, to enable this:
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Open WorkExpo at the Main Menu
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Click the Options button
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In the Options dialog click the DATA FILE tab
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Click checkbox to enable “Show data file path in the title bar”
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WorkExpo displays the current data file path in the title bar.
Sharing Files between different WorkExpo users
Users of WorkExpo can also share their data file (data.mdb) across a LAN so that updates and deletes flow to all users. WorkExpo will handle any read/write conflicts internally.
WorkExpo Will Run Slower Across a LAN
WorkExpo with the data.mdb file deployed across a LAN will run slower than if the data file resided on the user’s hard drive. However, WorkExpo will run very much slower if the front-end file workexpo.mde is also deployed on the server. It is strongly recommended that this is avoided and that workexpo.mde is deployed on each user’s hard disk.
WorkExpo File Format (Microsoft Access)
WorkExpo’s default file format is Microsoft Access. Check out the README.TXT file in the MANUAL INSTALL folder on the WorkExpo CD. Provision is made for supporting various versions of Access and instructions on installation are also contained there. For more information on converting WorkExpo files, contact Info Plan Software (03) 9531 1091 or software@infoplan.com.au
Conclusion
WorkExpo can be installed across a local area network for data sharing by several users. Only a single file data.mdb needs to be deployed to the network server. Any other installation will mean that users may lose WorkExpo program settings between sessions. Also WorkExpo may run considerably slower if the front-end file workexpo.mde is deployed on the server. In this article, you learned about the considerations that IT managers need to be aware of when developing and using WorkExpo in a LAN environment.