eConnect - Before You Begin

What’s New

eConnect Version 3.0 – Compass Software Updates are now available using eConnect to upgrade all your Compass clients. In the Updates section, there is a Compass tab where you can load, distribute and Install Compass on selected clients.

Prerequisites

Your Eagle system must be running Eagle for Windows Level 19.1 or higher
Terminal Services is not supported with eConnect.
Eagle for Windows is not recommended on Domain Controllers.
eConnect 3.0 and above requires .Net 4.0 Framework (FULL) Installed.
Your PCs must have the following Service Packs installed:

PCs running Windows XP: Service Pack 3 or higher with .Net 3.5 Service Pack 1 and .Net 4
PCs running Windows Vista: Service Pack 1 or higher with .Net 3.5 and .Net 4 Service Pack 1
PCs running Windows 7 (32 or 64bit) with .Net 4
PCs running Windows 8.0 , 8.1 (32 or 64bit) No Service Packs required
Servers running Windows Server 2003: Service Pack 2 or higher with .Net 3.5 Service Pack 1 and .Net 4.
Servers running Windows Server 2008 (32 or 64bit): with .Net 4

Overview of eConnect

Your Eagle Server acts as a software repository for the distribution of new Eagle for Windows software levels, and as a command repository from which all eConnect Clients pick up instructions. When you receive a new Eagle for Windows software level, you’ll run the “Load” process from the eConnect Manager Console, which packages the CD into a distributable form and places it on the Eagle Server, ready for distribution to all clients. The eConnect Manager Console must have internet access for registration, licensing, and future electronic delivery service; however, the eConnect Clients do not require any special access or configuration, other than the ability to talk to the Eagle server as they already do during normal operation.

Depending on the number of clients and size of your network, you may choose to schedule the “distribution” process over several nights. This process causes the eConnect Clients to pick up the new Eagle for Windows software and place it in a hidden folder on the PC’s hard drive so that it is like having its own copy of the CD ready for installation at any time. Once all stations report that the distribution process is complete, you are ready to install new software on your Eagle Server. After installation is complete on the server, you’ll return to the eConnect Manager Console and initiate the “Install” process which tells the client PCs to update Eagle for Windows now. Once the clients have updated, they report their completion status and any errors to the eConnect Manager Console, where you can review this information.

eConnect Software Update Flow

If this is your first time using eConnect:

Install eConnect on all PCs
Identify the Client PC that will be the Manager Console for eConnect
Register your eConnect product with Epicor.
Perform the Eagle for Windows Test Update process to verify compatibility with your network and client PCs.

After receiving Eagle client and server software CDs, load the client CD in the Manager Console.
Distribute the software update to all PCs (this may be scheduled across multiple days)
Update the Eagle Server using standard procedures described in the Conversion Guide you received with the software.
Launch the install of client software from the Manager Console.

How Does eConnect Work with Network Master / Network Client Configuration?

The Network Master PC still continues to be the software update source for its Network Clients. The eConnect Manager Console is simply the initiator of tasks and the message collector for all responses from eConnect clients. The eConnect Manager Console uses the Eagle server to distribute the software updates to the eConnect Clients and collects the data from the responses of the clients on the Eagle. Thus, the Eagle server acts as a holding tank or repository for eConnect messaging and software packages.

eConnect must be installed on all Eagle For Windows stations. When software is distributed through eConnect to all stations, eConnect distinguishes between the Network Master PC/ Clients, and prepares the software on the Network Master. The Network Clients report back that this step is skipped because they are not the Master. After you install new Eagle server software, you initiate the Install Now or ASAP command to all stations. eConnect updates the Network Master(s). Then the Network Clients install from the Network Master.