This is a description of the 2 different ways you can install Vision.

Mapped Drive

            This is the most common way to install Vision. The install is on a single computer and the folder is shared out to the network. Then a connection is made to that folder from the other workstations and a mapped drive is created to it. This “mapped drive” then gives you access to that folder and its contents.

            This type of connection comes with limitations and issues. If Vision is installed on a non-server operating system then a maximum of 4 other computers can be connected to the shared folder. If more than 4 users are needed then you will need to have an actual server operating system hosting the Vision software. Then you can have as many users connected as the resources on the server will allow.

            The issues that can arise are slow response, connection loss and vulnerability to ransomware. This type of connection sends the data across the network from the main computer to the workstation. This data can be interrupted by antivirus, firewalls, anti-malware agents and generally slow network connections. If this data transfer is stopped during transmission the connection is cut and the data can be damaged or even lost. Careful precautions must be made to ensure a strong and reliable connection. This type of network sharing also gives malware known as ransomware the ability to infect the data from any workstation through the mapped drive. Ransomware is the most prevalent infection on the web right now. Very dangerous and expensive without proper protection and backups.

Remote Desktop Access

            Remote Desktop Connections are the recommended way to connect to the machine hosting Vision. In this type of connection the data is never in danger and the response time is greatly improved. This install does require a server operating system, the remote desktop role installed and licensed for the number of users you have. In this install you connect to the server and just view the screen of the server while you work in Vision. The data never leaves the server so a connection disconnect is not dangerous because the data is local to the server, malware cannot be transferred from the workstations through this type of connection. This install is more expensive than the other but the reliability, performance and protection this install provides makes the price worth it.