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Technical Notes
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Notes for IT Staff
WorkExpo - Work Experience Database by Info Plan Software

Summary - Background notes for IT staff installing and configuring WorkExpo for use.

Introduction

WorkExpo is an Microsoft Access database. The front-end and back-end database files are separate.

  1. workexpo.mde (Front-end) This is the file that the desktop shortcut icon links to.
  2. data.mdb  (Back-end) This file contains all data for WorkExpo, including student, employer, placement and archived records.

Please Note: employers.mdb - This file does not store employer data. It is a read-only, front-end user-interface file for students to browse employer records.

System Requirements

Database File Structure

  1. WorkExpo has a single back-end database file and a single front-end file.
    The front-end is workexpo.mde The back-end file is data.mdb  
    Both or either file can be renamed but it is recommended they are not.
  2. These two files comprise the central components of WorkExpo.
    The default installation path is: c:\program files\workexpo\ (Recommended path)
    When installing the program via the installer, a desktop icon is created which points to workexpo.mde on C: drive.
  3. There is an additional, optional front-end file employers.mdb (which does not store any user data). This is a read-only user-interface for searching employer records. You may create a shortcut to this file if staff require access to read-only employer information. This shortcut can also be created from within WorkExpo clicking a button in WorkExpo Options / Misc.
    A desktop shortcut for browsing read-only employer records is created. 
  4. The file employers.mdb is found in the default install path: c:\program files\workexpo\employers.mdb

Installing a fresh copy of WorkExpo

WorkExpo is available on-line for download. There are no CD's. If you have old WorkExpo CD's, please dispose of them.

You have two options when installing WorkExpo. Install WorkExpo using setup.exe (recommended) or install WorkExpo manually.

  1. Download the WorkExpo installation ISO media here: https://www.infoplan.com.au/workexpo/download.html
  2. Run setup.exe
  3. It is recommended that you install to the default path: c:\program files\workexpo
  4. WorkExpo can be installed to c:\workexpo

Installing an update to WorkExpo

WorkExpo does not need to be uninstalled to be updated. An update installs a fresh copy of the WorkExpo front-end only over the exitsing copy without disturbing user data.
To install an upgrade to an existing WorkExpo installation:          

  1. From the WorkExpo main menu click Run Latest Update
    OR
  2. Install or update WorkExpo after downloading installation media from website.
  3. Run setup.exe
  4. WorkExpo will detect the install path of the previous version and install the update in the same path e.g c:\program files\workexpo
  5. Updating WorkExpo will not overwrite existing data. It's always a good idea to back-up before updating.

Manual Installation

WorkExpo can be installed or updated manually by copying files to the workstation. To set up WorkExpo manually follow these steps:
IMPORTANT : Never overwrite the data file – data.mdb. All other files can be overwritten but not data.mdb. This is a critical file.

  1. Create a folder c:\program files\workexpo  - (workexpo destination folder), if it does not exist.
  2. Copy all files in the COMMON folder on the installation media to the destination folder.
  3. Select the Access version which matches the user's installed version of Office on the installation media and copying these files into the destination folder.
  4. Create a shortcut on the desktop pointing to workexpo.mde and change the desktop icon shortcut to "WorkExpo" using workexpo.ico as the shortcut icon.

How to Register WorkExpo

All installations of WorkExpo are initially installed in demo mode with sample records and Sample or Demonstration College showing.
You can use the database for up to 60 days without subscribing in order to evaluate it for your needs.

Subscribe to WorkExpo and enter your school name in OPTIONS. WorkExpo will detect the registration information based on the school name of the school.
Click Subscription Details on the Main Menu to confirm your school's details.

It is recommended that you install WorkExpo to the default path: c:\program files\workexpo - Although you can also install to c:\workexpo

 Network Installation (Multiple user setup)

  1. Install WorkExpo as a stand alone installation in the first instance accepting all defaults in the default path: c:\program files\workexpo
  2. Close WorkExpo and move the master WorkExpo data file data.mdb from the installation machine to a shared folder on the network.
        Important note: All WorkExpo users must have full read/write/create/delete permissions on the shared network folder.
  3. Start WorkExpo on the user’s machine and point to the new location on the network from File / Open. 
  4. Once connected to a network database, it is recommended to delete or rename the sample data file on C: drive if it is present.
  5. It is recommended that you use a UNC path when connecting to a WorkExpo data file rather than a mapped drive.

Further notes:

  1. You can download the latest ISO image from https://www.infoplan.com.au/workexpo/download.html.  Use the ISO image to install a fresh copy of WorkExpo or upgrade an existing copy of WorkExpo.
    You can also download a simple version without ISO. Instead look for WORKEXPO FULL VERSION - Includes all updates. Setup.exe version. (169MB)
  2. There is no need to un-install older versions of WorkExpo. No serial number nor unlock key is required. WorkExpo uses the NAME of the school for registration purposes. Check the school name is entered correctly.
  3. WorkExpo supports upgrading older WorkExpo versions.
  4. It is recommended to accept all defaults during setup for best results. However, you can install to c:\workexpo if necessary.
  5. Open and close WorkExpo once or twice to make sure all is working properly and to properly set background system parameters in the Windows registry and remove warning messages.
  6. On new installations you should see 'Sample or Demonstration College’ with 15 sample student records. If necessary, these sample records can be deleted from the Utilities / Tools menu.

WorkExpo on a Mac computer 

WorkExpo is a Microsoft Access database and will not run natively on a Mac.  There are ways around this and there are a handful of schools successfully running WorkExpo on a Mac. Please be aware that there are some disadvantages to running WorkExpo on a Mac. 

  1. Firstly, Mac machines require Windows software in parallel with a Mac OS. This involves installing additional software on your machine. (e.g. Parallels and Windows)
  2. You will also need to install Microsoft Office (including Microsoft Access) before WorkExpo can be installed.
  3. You may need to switch back and forth between the Mac interface and the Windows interface to run different programs.
  4. A powerful computer is required.  IT support is also required to set this up and to maintain it.
  5. There are no plans to re-write WorkExpo for Mac computers. 
  6. It is *NOT* recommended to run WorkExpo on a Mac machine.

WorkExpo ISO Image or EXE

  1. You can download the WorkExpo ISO image or EXE files from https://www.infoplan.com.au/workexpo/download.html.
  2. Mount the WorkExpo ISO directly from the ISO image (recommended). Windows 10 and later allows INSTALL from the right-click shortcut menu.
  3. You can use the ISO image to install a fresh copy of WorkExpo or upgrade an existing copy of WorkExpo.
  4. There is no need to un-install older versions of WorkExpo.
  5. During setup accept all defaults for best results.
  6. Open and close WorkExpo a few times (at least twice) to make sure all is working properly and to set background system parameters.
  7. You should see ‘Demonstration College’ or 'Sample College' with 15 sample student records.
  8. If necessary, close WorkExpo and copy the old WorkExpo data file data.mdb from the old machine to the new machine in the path shown on the WorkExpo main menu.
  9. Please note that users must have full read/write/create/delete permissions on the folder where WorkExpo is installed. There can be no restrictions on user access.

Setting WorkExpo up on a new machine for an existing user

To set WorkExpo up on a new machine for an existing user, please follow these steps:

  1. Install WorkExpo on the new machine (using the ISO image) and open and close it a few times, then copy (or point WorkExpo to) the old WorkExpo data file – data.mdb using File / Open
  2. During setup on the new machine accept all defaults (recommended).    
  3. Open and close the WorkExpo on the new machine a few times (at least twice) to make sure all is working and to set background system parameters.
    You should see ‘Demonstration College’ with 15 sample student records.
  4. Close WorkExpo and either:
    a) copy the old WorkExpo data file data.mdb from the old machine to the new machine
    b) point WorkExpo to the old data file data.mdb on the network, using File / Open on the WorkExpo menu.
  5. Use UNC paths rather than mapped network drives if possible.

    Please note that users must have full read/write/create/delete permissions on the network folder.
     

 

 

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