AX1102

About Axiom Platform client applications

Users interact with Axiom Platform using either the Desktop client or the Web client.

Desktop client

The Desktop Client is the general name for the Axiom Platform application that runs on the client desktop. The Desktop Client provides access to spreadsheet-based plan files, reports, and other supporting files. The Desktop Client also provides access to full administration features for the Axiom Platform platform, including managing security, Scheduler, tables, imports and exports, file groups, and more.

Two versions of the Desktop client are available:

  • Excel client. The Excel client provides access to all Axiom Platform features within a Microsoft Excel interface.

  • Windows client. The Windows client uses a .NET-based engine to emulate the spreadsheet environment without requiring Microsoft Excel. It provides full access to Axiom Platform features although certain spreadsheet features are limited.

Syntellis recommends the Windows client as the primary client application for all users who need access to the Desktop client. Use the Excel client only for spreadsheet file development, which provides easy access to full spreadsheet functionality.

Web client

The Web client provides browser-based access for Axiom Platform, which is limited to certain web-enabled features. The Web client does not provide spreadsheet functionality.

Using the Web client, users can access browser-based plan files and reports. Certain system admin features are available in the Web client, such as a limited Scheduler, security, and table management. Various Axiom Platform products also provide product administration features in the Web client.

This help file discusses features available in the Desktop Client and the Web Client. Some features can only be accessed in one client or the other, whereas other features can be accessed in both clients but with different user interfaces. The Desktop Client supports the broadest range of functionality. If a help topic does not specify which client it applies to, the Desktop Client should be assumed.

User access to the Axiom Platform Desktop client

User access to the Axiom Excel Client and the Axiom Windows Client is controlled by Axiom Platform security. To use these clients, users must have one or both of the following security permissions, as defined on the Permissions tab of the Security Management page:

  • Excel client access: The user can launch and use the Excel client.

  • Windows client access: The user can launch and use the Windows client.

If a user does not have either of these permissions, their Axiom Platform access is limited to the browser-based functionality in the Web client. This may be appropriate for certain users who only need to access browser-based reports and plan files. Additionally, some Axiom Platform products are mostly or entirely browser-based, and therefore do not require use of either Desktop client.

If a user does not have access to the Excel client or the Windows client, they cannot launch that client using any method. For example:

  • The associated icon for the client does not display on the Quick Launch menu. If a user does not have access to any clients or add-ins, the rocket icon and the Quick Launch menu are hidden entirely.

  • The associated icon for the client does not display on the Quick Links section of the default web home page. If a user does not have access to any links, the Quick Links section is hidden entirely.

  • If a user attempts to launch the client using some other method—such as a desktop shortcut, or a hyperlink with the client type specified—the launch fails with a message stating that the user does not have access to the client.