First steps
Function of the pCon.update DataClient
The pCon.update DataClient supports you in updating your system. Depending on the components your version of the DataClient is equipped with, following files can be updated:
•OFML product data
•pCon applications
•documents (e.g. price lists, presentations)
The DataClient performs the following tasks:
• verification, which files shall be updated
• download of required files
• installation
All steps are nearly completely automated, so that the update of your system with the pCon.update becomes a child's play. Furthermore, the DataClient offers a row of additional functions, which are explained in the following sections.
Registration via pCon.login
pCon.login
To download updates from the Internet, you need a pCon.login user account. If you do not yet have a pCon.login account, please contact the person responsible for pCon at your organization or register here: https://login.pcon-solutions.com/. You can find more information about pCon.login here: https://login.pcon-solutions.com/help.
Click on the pCon.login icon in the top right corner of the pCon.update DataClient to see whether you are logged in to pCon.login and which user account is being used. You can also log in and out here at any time.
After clicking Log in, you can close your browser window and continue working in pCon.update DataClient.
Configuring the DataClient
In some cases, a special configuration of the DataClient is needed. The configuration possibilities are explained in the paragraph program settings.
Installing updates
You can update your system by successively executing the steps in the DataClient Assistant. You decide which updates are to be installed and view information on the individual updates before installing them. The individual steps are explained in the paragraph installing updates. Furthermore, pCon.update offers you the possibility to regularly and automatically check for new available updates. If new updates are available, you can opt for only getting notified or for having the new updates automatically installed. These functions are explained in the chapter planning updates.
DataClient update
The DataClient is continuously being developed further. If a new DataClient version is available, you are notified and can have it automatically installed. This procedure is explained under DataClient update.
Using the assistant
The program leads you through the individual tasks step by step. The upper left area provides you an overview over the steps required to update your system. The current step is highlighted.
Every step allows you to get to the manual by pressing the F1 key.
You navigate through the Assistant by clicking the buttons in the lower area. The buttons Next and Back bring you to the next/previous step. By clicking Cancel, you exit the Assistant. Some steps do not provide all the above mentioned buttons.
Using the enhanced functions
The lower left area provides you advanced functions such as program settings. To call the functions of the Enhanced menu, click on the desired entry.
When having selected one of the entries in the Enhanced area, other buttons appear in the lower area. Back allows you to leave the Enhanced area. The buttons Accept and Discard allow you to store the settings or to undo the modifications.
pCon.login User Menu
In the upper right corner of the assistant you find the pCon.login button. Clicking it opens an additional dialog. In case you are already logged in to pCon.login, you have the following options:
•Manage account: Opens your pCon.login overview page in your browser.
•Log out: Log out of pCon.login.
If you are currently not logged in, you will find the button Log in here.
Information about installation
The pCon.update DataClient can be used for the update of different files. In this chapter you can find information about specifics of different installation packages.
You can currently carry out the following steps with pCon.update:
Installing OFML data
The pCon.update DataClient can be used for the installation and the update of OFML Data. The DataClient determines automatically which files need an update and only loads down the needed files. The dependencies of the OFML series are regarded. The following points must be observed so that the DataClient can recognize existing OFML data and update it correctly:
Before first installing OFML Data with pCon.update
•On your system, there has to be at least one application which can process OFML Data.
•If there are no OFML Data on your system yet, you can now directly install OFML Data with the DataClient. If necessary, the DataClient requests the directory in which to install the OFML Data. This request is done only once, the directory cannot be modified later any more.
Using other installations for OFML Data
If you want to use pCon.update to update your OFML Data, you can continue to install OFML Data with CDs. Please note, however, that these CD installations are only compatible with pCon.update if they carry the Web Enabled logo.
Web Enabled logo
If you use installations without this logo, your system will not be compatible with pCon.update anymore. In many cases, compatibility can be restored by executing pCon.update again. However, some cases require manual intervention. Furthermore, it is recommended not to install OFML Data manually because pCon.update does not recognize manually installed data.
Technical information
The following paragraph provides technical information on how to install OFML Data with pCon.update. This information is intended for advanced users and can, for example, facilitate troubleshooting.
When using pCon.update, OFML Data are installed as follows:
Central OFML Data directory
All OFML Data are located in a central directory which is collectively used by all applications. The directory can be either located locally or on a network drive.
Installation database
The installation database serves to recognize which OFML libraries are installed in which version. If no or an incomplete installation database is available, existing OFML Data are not recognized. The installation database is located in the file install.db in the data directory.
DLMs
All data licenses (DLMs) are located in the sub-directory dlm in the data directory.
Data profiles (registration of the series)
All data profiles are located in the sub directory profiles in the data directory, as well. For each manufacturer, exactly one data profile must exist. The data profiles have to be named with the file extension .cfg and the DSR key manufacturer. The data profiles are collectively used by all applications.
Registering the manufacturers
The data profiles are registered within the file default.profiles, which is located in the sub directory profiles in the data directory. The file default.profiles contains only the key app.gf.data.profile, which lists the data profiles to be loaded. Within the file etc/startup.cfg in the particular application directories, the file default.profiles is referenced within the key app.gf.data.profile.registration.
With WEB-ENABLED 1.1, the data profiles are therefore registered centrally for all applications.
Distributing documents
pCon.update can also be used to distribute documents such as PDF files, presentations, or spreadsheet files. As soon as new documents are available on the server, they are provided for download in the pCon.update DataClient just as normal installation packages. Such an installation package can contain any number of documents.
Depending on the manufacturer, some documents you receive over pCon.update are first stored in a central directory. This directory is by default located in the common documents folder is named pCon.update Documents Inbox. A shortcut to this directory on the desktop is created for your convenience. The directory is automatically created when you first receive documents over pCon.update. You can also define another directory for incoming documents in the program settings.
The documents don’t have to remain in the directory where the DataClient stores them automatically. You can move the documents to any other directory or delete them if you don’t need them any more. Please note that the DataClient downloads each document only once. When you have received a document once, the DataClient doesn’t provide it for download any more.
Installing applications
When installing applications, the DataClient also checks automatically which applications in which versions are already available on your system. It only suggests those updates to be installed which are useful for your system.
Is is for example possible that both a complete installation and an update for the last version of a certain application are available on the server. If the last version of the application is already installed on your system, the update is suggested for installation. If your system still contains an older version of the application or if the application is not yet installed at all, the complete installation is proposed.
Interactive installation
The DataClient offers interactive installation to request information from users during the installation of applications. For example, when installing for the first time, users are asked in which directory the application should be installed.
The installation package is downloaded as usually and verified. The DataClient program interface is hidden during the installation, instead the program interface of the installation program is displayed. You are guided through the installation step by step. Upon completion of the installation program, the DataClient interface is displayed.
Please note that the automatic installation does not support interactive installations. If the automatic installation is enabled and if an interactive installation is required, you will receive a notification and the automatic installation is being suspended until the interactive installation has been executed.
Usually, the interactive installation is used during the initial installation.
Standard installation
In many cases, application updates can be directly executed by the DataClient without calling up the external installation program. In this case, you do not need to additionally execute the external installation program. Furthermore, this allows to update applications by using the automatic installation.
Usually, the standard installation is used for updating applications already installed.