Central Management
Total Control of Your EnvisionWare Enterprise Self-Service and Financial System
The EnvisionWare Central Management software/service permits complete control, management, and updating of major components in your system. By default, CM is provided for:
• PC Reservation Management Consoles (1 per building)
• LPT:One V3.x Release Stations
• EnvisionWare Suite (2 licenses: 1 for print server/1 for Management Console)
• LPT:One V4.x Job Queue Engines
• BarcodePlus Terminal Engine
• AAM database host
• Staff Transaction Stations - STS
• EnvisionWare eCommerce Server
• EnvisionWare OneStop self-service circulation systems
• Renaissance Modular Sorters
• Intelligent Return Stations
• Renaissance Branch Manager
Users may add CM Clients to control other devices and even Client computers. CM connects these devices in two different ways depending upon items purchased. If you do not purchase a CM Gateway, CM Clients connect directly to EnvisionWare support which facilitates rapid diagnostics, download of logs and diagnostic data, and permits a push of updates and system reconfiguration directly from our support center. If the Gateway and Controls are licensed, the optional CM Gateway and CM Control modules allow a local system administrator to perform the same operations. In this scenario, customers typically open a firewall connection to permit EnvisionWare access to the system CM Gateway. The access you provide may be switched on or off if your policy requires control but it must be made available as part of your support agreement. Our employees are bound to secrecy and we are bound to you. Thus, you have assurance that we consider patron privacy and customer network integrity to be paramount to the success of our relationship.
CM is powerful. With it you can access every aspect of a remote host, perform background file transfers and updates, script updates, system parameter changes, and verify the software and hardware inventory of a computer operating CM software.
For transient support, we use EnvisionWare LiveChat which instantiates CM on a Client computer (one that is not licensed for a traditional CM Client). We can quickly observe non-managed resources and help you diagnose issues, perform updates, and transfer diagnostic logs. LiveChat is only available when the regular CM clients are installed on your management computers for which you are licensed to operate Central Management.
Installation of Central Management is a required component of World Class Support to obtain the best maintenance value.
Installation / Operation
INSTALLATION
Customers receive access to the web-enabled installer via the customer license on the web. A simple click installs the standard CM Client that connects to EnvisionWare. Users that purchase the CM Gateway will have a special link that installs Clients that connect to your gateway instead of EnvisionWare’s gateway. We in turn connect to your gateway if permitted.
The architecture allows CM Clients to connect seamlessly to EnvisionWare via the Internet. No special ports need to be opened except for sites with a local gateway because the CM Clients are designed to make an "outbound call."
OPERATION / MANAGED SERVICE
Once the Clients are installed, EnvisionWare can "see" your management components, make changes for you, grab logs when authorized, and install updates. While remote desktop control is enabled, a unique ability to access the c:\program files\envisionware\pcres or c:\program files\envisionware\lptone directory allows support technicians to review or modify files without interfering with the normal desktop operation. Our level of involvement depends upon whether we are assisting you with support or providing some level of Managed Service which is an optional support component of Central Management. Some libraries use our Managed Service to control their AAM database and a few use it to manage their entire system.
PERFORMANCE
While many organizations may attempt similar operations with free products like VNC, the performance, security, and features of Central Management’s software are far superior. Screen refresh is quick even on slow links and access to the file system does not interfere with desktop operations. The unique connection method avoids the need to open the firewall while still ensuring proper security for your network.
ARCHITECTURE
Out of the box, the installer will create a package that connects to the EnvisionWare CM Gateway (or the OneStop Gateway for self-check customers).
USE ON PUBLIC COMPUTERS
Although the primary goal is access, control, and updating of EnvisionWare management components, some users have elected to purchase additional CM Clients so that the same services can be performed on library or campus public PC’s. The Client software is provided at the same reduced cost as the upgrade for legacy installations.
CM Components
CM CLIENT
The primary component is Central Management (CM) Client which is included as indicated in the overview. The Client is packaged with an installer that uses a special "key" which is downloaded from your license and special documents page of the support site. The installer and key will configure your CM Clients so that they connect your EnvisionWare management components either directly to our CM Gateway or to your optional CM Gateway.
CM GATEWAY
The optional CM Gateway permits CM Clients to connect to a gateway that is part of your internal network instead of connecting directly to the EnvisionWare gateway. When a customer gateway is installed, a special configuration of your firewall and the EnvisionWare firewall must be altered to provide remote access for EnvisionWare support.
CM CONTROL
CM Control licenses permit you local IT administrator(s) to connect to the local CM Gateway and access all CM Clients on your network. A site needs only one CM Gateway. The number of CM Control licenses depends upon the number of locations where you wish to manage the system. Additional CM Clients are available for other components and Clients.
LIVECHAT (24/7) CLIENTS
When the Remote Installation Service is purchased, we can either use additional CM Clients or 24x7 (EnvisionWare LiveChat) which is a service-based CM Client. LiveChat gives EnvisionWare the ability to push a temporary instance of Central Management onto a machine where you are presently working. The Client persists on the PC until you close your browser.
Central Management Architecture - No Customer Gateway (Default)
If you purchase a CM Gateway for LOCAL centralized control of your system, please see the page titled: Central Management Architecture - With Customer Gateway" on the menu to the right.
Central Management Architecture - With Customer Gateway
If you do not purchase a local Gateway, please see the document "Architecture - No Customer Gateway" on the menu to the right.
