Summer 2013 Cloud Initiative. Release Bulletin

Transcription

1 Summer 2013 Cloud Initiative In this bulletin... July 2013 Summer 2013 Cloud Initiative 1 Getting started with the new Cloud... 2 Cloud Enhancements 3 How To Save Files 7 How to Set Up ipad Access 9 How to Set Up Android Tablet Access 12 About the Summer 2013 Cloud Initiative In an ongoing effort to provide a high level of service to our customers, Senior Systems launched an extensive initiative to upgrade the Cloud environment. The project includes high-end redundant hardware, significant capacity upgrades, server and software upgrades, and more. The new XenApp 6.5 environment goes live July 22. You do not need to do anything locally to receive this upgrade. All upgrades will be handled by Senior Systems Technology staff. All customers will log into the new environment beginning July 22. You will notice several changes when you log into the new environment. Please read Getting Started right away for critical information. A few changes require action on the end user's part, to take advantage of the new environment. These changes include a new MS Word run command, new ipad configuration, and new drive mapping standards. Please contact Support@Senior-Systems.com if you have any questions about these new features

2 Getting started with the new Cloud... When you log into the Cloud on July 22, you will notice some differences. In order to use the Cloud, you should make the following changes UPON FIRST LOGGING IN. Additional changes are described in the Cloud Enhancements list and can be reviewed at your leisure. 1. MS Word Run Command: In your User Preferences, set the MS Word run command to the following: C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\MICROSOFT OFFICE\ OFFICE14\WINWORD.EXE 2. Document Directory & Saving Files: In your User Preferences, you may need to change your default Document Directory based on the new drive mappings (click for details). Your local C: drive (on your computer) has a new designation, shown below. You can use the Search icon to navigate to the desired document directory. 3. ipad Users: The URL used for the Citrix Receiver for ipad configuration has changed to m.senior-anywhere.com. You can either modify your existing account with the new URL, or create a new account. Your existing configuration will not work until you make this change. See How to set up ipad access for details. 4. Mac Users: You can now download the latest Citrix Receiver for Mac without losing compatibility with certain system functions. Note that the new environment is compatible with previous versions of the Citrix Receiver for Mac. You can upgrade at your convenience. 5. "Data" Application Users: You will notice that the Data icon is no longer available. The application has been renamed to "Network Drive", and offers all the functionality of "Data"

3 Cloud Enhancements New Senior Systems Theme - The new Senior-Anywhere page has been redesigned. When you log in, you'll notice the new Senior Systems Blue theme. Functionality will remain the same, with the addition of several content links designed to improve user experience. Dashboard users will now have the option to view their Dashboard directly from a content link without opening a module (contact Support, Support@Senior-Systems.com, for setup). You will also notice that your application windows reflect the new Windows 8 theme (previously, application windows used the XP theme). New Webhelp - The Cloud Webhelp has also been redesigned and upgraded, to take advantage of new technology and features including compatibility with mobile devices. You'll notice lots of new information specifically related to the 2013 Cloud Initiative, as well as a new look and feel throughout

4 Printing - The new environment introduces several changes and enhancements related to printing. Senior Systems will now support custom print drivers for multi-purpose large scale printers. To request a custom print driver, please contact Support@Senior-Systems.com. Some changes were made in the Printer Preferences area of the product. When you log into your applications, you may need to check your printer settings. XenApp 6.5 offers general printing enhancements, including compression improvements, printer availability issues, and reduced complications with module-based printing. Drive Mappings - When saving files, you will notice industry standard drive names. Customers will now see their local drive mappings reflected in the Cloud. For example, your workstation's C: drive will be labeled as Local C: while saving files. Due to this change, you may need to reset your default Document Directory. This is controlled in your User Preferences, and will need to be set in each application you use. For more information, please see How to Save Files. MS Word Run Command - In Release 92_3, MS Office was added to the Cloud. In the new environment, the run command for MS Word should be set to the following. This is controlled in your User Preferences, and will need to be set in each application you use. C:\Program Files (x86)\microsoft Office\Office14\WINWORD.EXE - 4 -

5 Renamed File Explorer App - The former "Data" application has been renamed to "Network Drives". Note that this application is only available to users with a specific set of permissions. Application Isolation - Key applications and services like Crystal Reports and Campus Store will be isolated to dedicated application servers for both performance and security benefits. Crystal Reports Application Isolation - Because the Crystal Reports application (as a standalone tool) has been isolated, Crystal reports can no longer be launched using the "Network Drives" (formerly "Data") tool. Crystal reports can be opened from within the Crystal application, as usual. Crystal Reports Update - A Crystal Reports update was packaged in this initiative. You'll notice a new "SAP Crystal Reports 2011" icon. For more information about the new report version, see the SAP Crystal Reports Viewer Release Notes. Application Timeouts - Senior Systems has increased its application timeout ceiling to 4 hours of inactivity. This can be adjusted on a school by school basis. Premature timeouts have been addressed with the new XenApp 6.5 architecture. Please be aware that high inactivity may result in increased license usage. Our Cloud Services team will be monitoring license usage and contacting schools that may need to adjust timeouts or licenses. Improved Launch times - Application launch times have been improved and are continually tested under load to ensure launch time frames do not fluctuate

6 Mac Environments - Advantage Cloud will now support the newest Citrix Receiver client for Mac. Customers still using the Receiver for Mac 11.5 client can upgrade to the newest Receiver at their convenience. Note that the 11.5 Receiver will continue to work in the new XenApp 6.5 environment. ipad Changes - The ipad configuration has changed slightly. There is a new mobile URL for the XenApp 6.5 environment. See How to set up ipad access for detailed instructions. NOTE: You must make these changes in order to access the new environment on your ipad. Android Tablet Compatibility - You can now use your Android tablet to access the Cloud! PSee tablet-setup for detailed instructions

7 How To Save Files Drive mapping makes it possible to store and access documents locally (on your school's computers or network drives). It's important to understand where files are saved and how they can be retrieved when using Advantage applications in the Cloud environment, because your browser is working with applications that reside on a remote server. Note: As of July 2013, there have been significant changes in this area, streamlining drive mappings and the file saving process. The mapping may vary for your school, but generally, the following drives are mapped for your use Drive Letter R: M: Mapped To... A shared data drive set up for your school on the Senior Systems remote server (host); only used for files that are intended to be shared by ALL users A media drive on the remote server containing all the database media folders for your school (host) C: The Local C: drive (root folder) on your local computer; where you will normally save files Other Other options may be network drives, secondary hard drive (such as D:) and/or CD and DVD drives on your local computer (client) Note: The first time you try to save or access a file on your local machine, you may receive a security warning asking for permission to access your local files. You should select 'Permit all access' and 'Do not ask me again for this site' to properly set these permissions so that you can save files to your local machine, and avoid having to constantly respond to this message

8 Your personal files should be saved to the C: drive, which is your local machine. Files that you intend to share should be saved on the R: drive, according to your school's preference. These drives can be used to make certain files accessible across your school's network. IMPORTANT: Archiving to the R: or M: drives is NOT possible, due to server constraints. You should save and archive LOCALLY, on the Local Disk C: drive. You can then upload files to a network drive for archival, depending on your school's procedure

9 How to Set Up ipad Access For ipad users: You can access your Advantage applications using an ipad. You should use the latest version of the Citrix Receiver app. Tip: Once you set up your account, see ipad Tips for some suggestions about how to use the ipad with the Senior Systems Cloud. To set up ipad Access: 1. Download the Citrix app from the Apple store, then open the Citrix Receiver from your ipad. 2. Tap the ACCOUNTS icon, then choose + to add a new account. 3. On the New Account screen, enter m.senior-anywhere.com in the Address field. Then tap OPTIONS at the bottom of the window. 4. Tap the Manual setup option

10 5. On the setup screen, fill in the fields as described below, then tap SAVE (at the top-right). Address Enter m.senior-anywhere.com/. This field should already be populated when first setting up. Description Enter a short description (or name) for your account. Tap the screen to select Access Gateway, Enterprise Edition. Access Gateway Username Password Enter your username (the same name you use to access your Citrix applications on your regular workstation). You do not need to enter your password here. You will enter your password when you log into the Cloud environment. Enter senioranywhere (no spaces) Domain Certificate Warnings Set this option to 'Off'

11 The Citrix Receiver will open, listing all of the Advantage applications available to you. Tap an application to launch. When you open your Citrix Receiver app, you can select your account (if there are multiple accounts on the device) and log in with your Senior-Anywhere credentials

12 How to Set Up Android Tablet Access For Android Tablet users: You can access your Advantage applications using an Android tablet. You should use the latest version of the Citrix Receiver app. To set up ipad Access: 1. Download the Citrix app from Google Play, then open the Citrix Receiver from your tablet. (The app can be downloaded here: 2. Tap ADD ACCOUNT. 3. On the New Account screen, type a description for your account, then tap the menu icon at the top right of the screen. Tap the Manual setup option

13 4. On the setup screen, fill in the fields as described below, then tap SAVE. Address Description Type Username Password Domain Enter m.senior-anywhere.com/. Enter a short description (or name) for your account. Tap the screen to select Access Gateway. Enter your username (the same name you use to access your Citrix applications on your regular workstation). You do not need to enter your password here. You will enter your password when you log into the Cloud environment. Enter senioranywhere (no spaces). Gateway Type Authentication Type This option is related to the Type selected above; should be set to "Enterprise Edition". This option should be set to "Domain Only"

14 The Citrix Receiver will open, listing all of the Advantage applications available to you. Tap an application icon to launch. When you open your Citrix Receiver app, you can select your account (if there are multiple accounts on the device) and log in with your Senior-Anywhere credentials