PDXpert PLM Software Installation Guide

Advanced install: PDXpert client application

 The PDXpertClient.exe installation program installs the PDXpert client, which provides a unified interface for (a) setting system options, rules, metadata collections, and other configuration details, and (b) creating and managing documents, parts, changes and file attachments. The installer may also include other supporting components.

You should install the server components before you install the client application. You can obtain the client setup file by downloading it from our website, or by copying it from your server's Desktop after the PDXpert Application Server has been installed.

Preparing your workstation computer

• Ensure that your workstation computer conforms to the client system requirements.
• Before proceeding with the installation, you must install the latest Windows and .NET service packs and critical updates from the Windows Update site: http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx
• If you intend to import or export data in Microsoft Office formats like Excel or Access, and you don't have Microsoft Office installed, you must install the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable. This package can be downloaded from:
  http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=13255

Installation procedure

You must have administrator rights to your computer, and be the only user logged into Windows.

PDXpert requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended (".NET 4E"). If your system's permission profile blocks PDXpert setup's installation of .NET, cancel the installation and upgrade your computer to .NET 4E, then start the PDXpert setup program again.

If you're using PDXpert 7.0 (or higher) as a single-user system, the client software was installed during the server installation. You don't need to install the client separately unless you're installing it on a remote workstation.

To install the PDXpert client application:

1. Run the PDXpert Client installation program. The installer can be downloaded from the PDXpert Application Server or from the PDXpert website download page. Do one of the following:

   • A PDXpertClientSetup browser shortcut was copied onto the server's Windows Desktop during the PDXpert Application Server's installation. Copy or email the PDXpertClientSetup shortcut to the remote workstation, and then open it in the workstation's browser.
   • Open the workstation's browser and enter the download link http://machine:48084/client/setup where machine is the server computer's name or IP address. For example, if the PDXpert Application Server is installed at IP address 10.1.1.16, then enter http://10.1.1.16:48084/client/setup
   • Go to the download page on the PDXpert website. Save the PDXpertClient.exe installer to your workstation, and then run it.

2. During installation, you will be required to accept the PDXpert software license agreement. If you agree with the terms of the license, mark the I accept the terms in the License Agreement checkbox, and click the Next button.

3. Although you can specify options for the PDXpert client application, we recommend using the default values to simplify administration and technical support.

4. At the end of the installation process, you can immediately launch the client if you mark the Launch PDXpert PLM checkbox. Click the Finish button.

Opening the PDXpert client for the first time

From the Windows Start menu, select the PDXpert program folder, and then the PDXpert program.

When you run the PDXpert client application for the first time after installation, the Application Configuration window may be displayed if the PDXpert Application Server cannot be found automatically. You can also open this window from the Tools menu.

The Application Configuration window allows you to specify the computer where the PDXpert Application Server service is running, which is essential to properly connect to your product database. You will also specify where library files will be copied onto your local computer for viewing.

PDXpert server computer name

This is the name or IP address of the computer that hosts the PDXpert Application Server service. If the PDXpert client application is installed on the same computer as the PDXpert Application Server, you can simply use the default value of localhost. If you've connected via Virtual Private Network (VPN), use the server computer's local (not Internet) IP address, such as 10.1.1.5 or 192.168.1.5

Server TCP port number

This value must match the PDXpert Application Server TCP port value, which is defined in the application server's configuration file. The default value is 48084.

PDXpert clients communicate with the PDXpert Application Server using up to four TCP ports beginning at 48084 (that is: 48084; 48085; 48086; 48087). Firewalls, antivirus software, etc., must permit communications through these four ports.