PCS AXIS ADMIN RESPONSIBILITIES
SYSADMIN TASKS
CREATE SURVEY FOLDERS
o
Data Entry>Survey Folder Maintenance
 Online PCS Axis Help: Survey Folder Maintenance


Typically done in December in preparation for following year
o Best practice: Lists sort by Descending dates so only add one year at a
time to avoid lengthy lists
Includes
o Annual Survey folders
o Multi-year Survey folders
FIELD AND UDF CUSTOMIZATIONS
o
Tools>Field and UDF Customizations
 Online PCS Axis Help: Field and UDF Customizations





Create new fields
Edit Field Name
Edit Field Properties
Create Validation Lists for fields
Best practice: Field format is locked once created so outline all possible data
components before creating. You may only create a field name once and are
not able to re-use that name if you delete the field in the future.
MANAGE PUBLIC THEMES/LAYOUTS/FILTERS/SORTING


Used throughout the application for Grids, Reports, Email Notification, etc
Online PCS Axis Help: Layout Themes, Filters and Sorting

Editing Grids
 Optional Filters
 Public Layout Themes
 Sorting Themes
 Forms
 Best Practice: You can print/export directly from the Grid so this may be faster
than building a similar report.
Reports
 Optional Filters
 Public Layout Themes
 Sorting Themes
 Forms

Page 3


Best Practice: If report is not building correctly, try to recreate same filters in
the Grid to confirm data.
Allegro Prompts
 Optional Filters
 Public Layout Themes
 Sorting Themes
 Best Practice: Must create a new Allegro file if you change prompts. If RFID is
used, there are additional fields to add noted in documentation.
THEMES MANAGEMENT
o
Tools>Themes Management
 Online PCS Axis Help: Themes Management


Editing, Reports, and Field Computer themes
Best Practice: Accessing themes here allows additional editing functionality
such as changing Public/Private or assigned user once theme is created.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION SETUP
o
Tools>Email Notification>
 Online PCS Axis Help: Email Notification




Email Notification Setup
o Add Email Recipients
o Add Email Reports
o Create Assignments
Email Log
Availability: Publication only
Best Practice: Confirm Job Service account has send mail capability on SMTP
server. This process uses report layouts and sort themes so set those up first.
SECURITY ROLE MANAGEMENT
o
Tools>Security Role Management
 Online PCS Axis Help: Security Role Management

Security Roles
o Set Security Access for each Role
 Read Only
 User
 Sysadmin
o Best Practice: Create sub-sets of the roles above so you can further
define various groups. This helps to avoid a large group requiring
SysAdmin role when they may only need a few functions from that
group.
o Best Practice: Confirm new users have been added to the SQL Server
Page 4
and database permissions sets and group per install guide.
USER MANAGEMENT
o
Tools>User Management
 Online PCS Axis Help: User Management



Add / Modify User Information
 Active
 Security Role
 Create Facilities on Allegro
 Hierarchy Rights
Best Practice: Always add new users through the Axis UI and not directly into the
UserProfile table.
Best Practice: Limiting a new user’s hierarchy rights to specific areas reduces their
subscription footprint and improves sync time.
CUSTOM MODULE MANAGEMENT
o
Modules>Custom ModuleManagement
 Online PCS Axis Help: User Management

Add / Modify / Delete modules
OPTIONS
o
Tool>Options
 Public vs. Private
 Understanding Public and Private Property Settings
 Bullhorn
 Setting Bullhorn Options
 Criteria
 Review with Business Unit
 Editing
 Setting Editing Options
 Email Notifications
 Setting Email Notification Options
 General
 Company Name; Metric mode
 Hierarchy
 Set # of levels and level naming convention
 Do not change without consulting both business unit and AI – major change to
database
 Reports
 Signature line name on reports
 Security
 Set to use Hierarchal Security or not
Page 5

 Must be selected to enable different user hierarchy rights within user mgmt
Synchronization
 Publisher/Subscriber information
 Using Synchronization
REFERENCE MATERIAL
o
Database Integrity Check
 Online PCS Axis Help: Database Integrity Check
 Frequency – Quarterly
 Best Practice: Ensure user running process has default schema for database in SQL set
to “dbo” to complete all processes
o
Reindex
 Online PCS Axis Help: Database Reindex
 Before and after large Bridge imports
 Will help improve data grid and bridge job load times
 Best Practice: Schedule nightly task to auto-run Reindex
o
Job Services
 Online PCS Axis Help: Job Services
 Must be “Running” to process email notifications, bullhorn imports, bridge jobs and
Allegro imports.
 Best Practice: Confirm service account running JS has same permissions (part of AD
group) that the user group has to SQL and the database. Set JS to auto-restart after a
server restart.
o
Facility Type Themes
 Online PCS Axis Help: Facility Type Themes
o
Synchronization
 Online PCS Axis Help: Synchronization
 Best Practice: Utilize SQL Replication Monitor to manage warnings and alert
notifications of sync errors and or upcoming subscription expirations.

Publisher
 Online PCS Axis Help: Publisher

Subscription
 Online PCS Axis Help: Subscription
 Best Practice: Confirm all user’s access to the shared folder built during
publication creation.
 Best Practice: Review Subscription expiration with business unit to confirm
they have enough time before it expires. Too short and the user may be locked
out of synchronizing data; too long and your reports are out of data and the
sync time may be extensive.
 Best Practice: Users should access the database in ‘online’ client/server mode
and not in their subscription as often as possible. This keeps the data as
current as possible and avoids expirations.
Page 6
o
Items unavailable in Subscriptions
 Online PCS Axis Help: Using Synchronization
INSTALLATION GUIDES INCLUDING SYSTEM SPE CS:
AXIS 1.6 INSTALLATION GUIDES
Additional resources attached including database Best Practices and Quick Reference
installation checklist.
PCS Axis Support
PCSTechServices@aiworldwide.com
1-800-229-3404, option 1, option 2
Page 7
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PCS Axis Best Practices
PCS Axis Best Practices is a series of topics demonstrating best practices for setting up the PCS Axis®
database and related services on a network server running Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2. Topics
include those in the following list:
ÿ
PCS Axis Job Service
ÿ
PCS Axis Database (page 5)
ÿ
SQL Server (MSSQLServer) Service (page 8)
PCS Axis Job Service
Run the PCS Axis Job Service under a domain account or a SQL Server account with access to the server
and PCS Axis database. To set up PCS Axis Job Service, follow these steps:
1
and navigate to Computer. Right-click Computer and select
Click the Windows Start button
Manage in the shortcut menu to open the Computer Management console (Figure 20).
2
Double-click Services and Applications in the left pane of the console. Then click Services to
display a list of services in the middle pane.
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Figure 2. Computer Management Console
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4 A M E R IC A N
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3
Right-click PCS Axis Job Service 1.6 and select Properties in the shortcut menu to open the
Properties dialog box (Figure 21).
4
Click the Log On tab and select the option This account.
5
Set up PCS Axis Job Service with a user account to log on as a service using a domain account or
a SQL Server account with access to the server and PCS Axis database. Type the user name and
password in the appropriate fields (This account, Password, Confirm Password). You can also
view a list of appropriate user account by clicking Browse > Advanced > Find Now.
NOTE: The user account must be a member of the Axis_Users group and have access to the
database server and PCS Axis database.
6
Click Apply and then OK to close the Properties dialog box and return to the Computer
Management console.
7
Click File > Exit to close the Computer Management console.
PCS Axis Job Service 1.6 Properties (Local Computer)
|
|
General Log On Recovery | Dependencies
Log on as:
© Local System account
I I Allow service to interact with desktop
© This account :
I
Password:
Confirm password:
Help me configure user account log on options.
Apply
Figure 3. PCS Axis Job Service 1.6 Properties
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INNOVATIONS
PCS Axis Database
Information in this section covers best practices for managing the PCS Axis database using Microsoft® SQL
Server® Management Studio (SSMS). Topics include those in the following list:
ÿ
Setting the Database Owner
a
Recommended Autogrowth Setting (page 6)
Setting the Database Owner
To prevent errors from occurring when migrating or restoring the PCS Axis database, or when establishing
a connection, set the "Owner" of the database using the "sa" account. To set the database "Owner" follow
these steps:
1
Start SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Click Start > Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 > SQL
Server Management Studio.
2
Double-click the Databases folder in Object Explorer to open the folder.
3
Right-click the PCS Axis database and select Properties in the shortcut menu to open the
Database Properties dialog box (Figure 4).
4
Select Files in the Select a page navigation panel.
5
Type sa in the Owner field. Then click OK to save changes and close the dialog box.
J
Database Properties - PcsAppDev
Select a page
jf* General
ÿ Files
Filegroups
Options
Change Tracking
ÿ| Script
‫י‬
(g Help
PcsAppDev
Database name:
‫ם‬
Owner:
Ljj* Permissions
Extended Properties
Database files
Logical Name
PcsAppDev_dat
PcsAppDevJog
File Type
Filegroup
Rows Data
PRIMARY
Log
Not Applicable
Initial Size (MB)
Autogrowth
| By 10 percent, unrest..
[~~~1
By 10 percent, restric...
[3]
Path
c:\ProgramRles\Micro
c:\ProgramFiles\Micro
SERVERNAME\SQLEXPRES
Connection:
DOMAINname\user name
View connection properties
Progress
Ready
OK
]
Cancel
Figure 4. Database Owner
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Recommended Autogrowth Setting
Information in this section applies to the PCS Axis database and log file. If you are running PCS Axis in a
client/server network with synchronization, the information also applies to the publication and subscription
databases.
‫׳י‬
Autogrowth indicates how much additional space is allocated when the PCS Axis database and log file
require more space. Setting Autogrowth properties allow the PCS Axis database and log file to resize
automatically based on a predetermined percentage. Because the database resizing process is a significant
drain on computer resources, it is recommended that you set properties in a manner that does not allow
the database to constantly resize itself.
NOTE: When using PCS Axis with synchronization, set Autogrowth properties after you create the
publication and subscription databases.
To set Autogrowth properties for the database iÿdat) and log iÿiog) files, follow these steps:
1
Start SSMS. Click Start > Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 > SQL Server Management Studio.
2
Double-click Databases in Object Explorer.
3
Right-click the PCS Axis database and select Properties in the shortcut menu to open the Database
Properties dialog box.
4
Click Files in the Select a page navigation panel (Figure 5).
J
Database Properties - PcsAppDev
Select a page
j** General
ÿ Files
Filegroups
Options
ÿ Change Tracking
Permissions
Extended Properties
ÿ Script
.
‫ם־‬
Logical Name
Database _dat file
Database Jog file
PcsAppDev
Database name:
-> pcsAppDev_d<5t
ÿLI
PcsAppDevJog
File Type
Rows Data
Log
Filegroup
PRIMARY
Not Applicable
:
Initial Size (MB)
83
43
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[Z]
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c:\Program Files ÿMicrosc
t
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Server:
SERVE RNAME\SQLEXPRES
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13 View connection properties
Progress
Ready
Figure 5. Files - Database Properties
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ÿINNOVATIONS
5
Complete the following steps to set Autogrowth properties for the database {_dat) and log Llog)
files:
a
Click the ... ellipsis button in the Autogrowth column of the database _dat file to open the
Change Autogrowth dialog box (Figure 6).
b
Click the Enable Autogrowth check box to place a check mark inside the check box.
c
For the File Growth property setting, select the option In Percent and then type 10 in the
adjacent field. This property setting automatically allocates 10% additional space when the
database requires more space.
d
Click OK to close the Change Autogrowth dialog box.
e
Repeat step 5 for the database Jog file.
f
Click OK to close the Database Properties dialog box. Then click File > Exit to exit SSMS.
Change Autogrowth for PcsAppDev_dat
IVl Enable Autogrowth
Rle Growth
ÿa:
In Percent
10-
©
In Megabytes
10-
Maximum Rle Size
©
100
Restricted Rle Growth (MB)
(•) Unrestricted Rle Growth
OK
Cancel
Figure 6. Change Autogrowth
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a
!AMERICAN
\£7 INNOVATIONS
SQL Server (MSSQLServer) Service
Run the Windows SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) service under a domain account with access to the PCS
Axis database. To set up the service, follow these steps:
1
and navigate to Computer. Right-click Computer and select
Click the Windows Start button
Manage in the shortcut menu to open the Computer Management console (Figure 7).
2
Double-click Services and Applications in the left pane of the console. Then click Services to
display a list of services in the middle pane.
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Figure 7. Computer Management Console
3
Right-click SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) and select Properties in the shortcut menu to open the
Properties dialog box (Figure 8).
SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) Properties (Local Computer)
General
|
Log On
| Recovery | Dependencies
Log on as:
Q Local System account
I
|Allow sen/ice to interact with desktop
a This account:
Network Service
Password:
Confirm password:
Help me configure user account log on options.
Apply
Figure 8. SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) Properties
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INNOVATIONS
4
Click the Log On tab and select the option This account.
5
Set up SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) with a user account to log on as a service using a domain
account with access to the PCS Axis database. Type the user name and password in the appropriate
fields {This account, Password, Confirm Password). You can also view a list of appropriate user
account by clicking Browse > Advanced > Find Now.
6
Click Apply and then OK to close the Properties dialog box and return to the Computer
Management console.
7
Click File > Exit to close the Computer Management console.
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Installation Overview
Installation tasks covered in this document include those described in the following list. The term central
database server is used in this document to refer to a network server or host computer.
IT System Administrator Tasks:
•
Run Windows Computer Management on the central database server to create a local
domain user group named Axis_Users. Add all PCS Axis users (local and remote clients) in the
Axis_Users group with appropriate permissions to access the central database server. See
Adding the Local Domain User Group (page 14).
•
Use Windows Explorer on the central database server to create a share folder for the publication
snapshot files. These files are a "snapshot" of the publication database and are created at the
time the publication is created. Set the share folder with read/write permissions for the
Axis_Users group. See Creating the Publication Share Folder (page 15).
NOTE: Remaining tasks are completed after Database Administrator (DBA) tasks are completed.
•
Install the PCS Axis Job Service on the same server as the publication database or on a
separate network server. See Installing the PCS Axis Job Service (page 21).
•
•
Start PCS Axis Job Service. See Starting PCS Axis Job Service (page 24).
•
Install the PCS Axis application on the local computer of the PCS Axis Administrator and all
other users (local and remote clients). Use Connection Manager during the installation to set
the server and database connection to the publication database on the central database server.
See Installing the PCS Axis Application on a Local Client Computer (page 27) and
Installing PCS Axis on a Subscriber's Computer (Remote Client) (page 32).
Install the following items on the computer of all PCS Axis subscribers (remote clients). See
Installing PCS Axis on a Subscriber's Computer (Remote Client), page 32.
o
Microsoft® SQL Server® Express 2008 R2 SP2
o PCS Axis
application
Database Administrator Tasks:
•
Restore the PCS Axis database on the central database server using the backup file provided by
PCS Technical Services. Run the PCS Axis application to create the publication database on the
central database server. See Restoring the PCS Axis Database and Creating the Publication
(page 18)
•
Create a new SQL login labeled Axis_Users for the publication database. Set permission roles
for the Axis_Users login. See Creating a Login for the Publication Database and Setting
Permission Rotes (page 19).
PCS Axis Administrator Tasks:
Run the PCS Axis application to: add all PCS Axis users in User Management, add all subscribers in
Synchronization Configuration (remote clients); and then set up the subscription database on the
computer of all subscribers. See Setting Up Users in PCS Axis (Local and Remote Clients), page 37.
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