Working remotely with Tekla PowerFab

Tekla PowerFab
2023
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2022i
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2022
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2021i
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2021
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2020i
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2020
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2019i
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
2019
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
Tekla PowerFab
System Requirements
Installation

This article will give you guidelines on the things to consider when setting up Tekla PowerFab for remote work. We explain the four main scenarios for setting up working from outside the office network, ranked in order of effectiveness. 

There are many requests for information on installing Tekla PowerFab on the "Cloud" and these scenarios also apply to "Cloud" installations.

The guidelines below assume that you run Tekla PowerFab on a computer that is outside your office network or that the server installation is not on the network that the user will be on.


Scenario 1: Working with a Terminal Server connection

Companies that have deployed and configured a terminal server have an excellent way of working remotely with Tekla PowerFab.  User's local computer connects to the terminal server and act as a “thin client.”  Terminal servers allows for multiple remote desktop sessions for each user connected.  Running the application on the same network as the server provides the optimal remote working experience. The downside is that this can be a costly and labor-intensive setup. Terminal servers or services are not Tekla PowerFab hosted.  Support for set up and maintenance of terminal servers is also outside Tekla PowerFab scope.

Scenario 2: Connect using remote desktop software

Various remote desktop solutions are available.  These may allow you to connect to and control a computer on the same network as the Tekla PowerFab server installation.  Remote desktop solutions are not set up or supported by Tekla PowerFab.

  • Set up the remote desktop at the office. Firewalls and other security software may need to be reconfigured to allow these connections.
  • The computer at the office must be running for you to connect to it, but many computers can be set up to start automatically when you try to connect.
  • Since the computer running Tekla PowerFab is on the same network as the Tekla PowerFab server installation, standard performance and file access will be maintained.
  • This setup requires a reliable internet connection in order for all features or integrations to function properly.  This may not be a workable solution for all users.

Scenario 3: Connect through a VPN and work as if you were at the office 

If your company has a VPN set up for remote workers, this is an option for Tekla PowerFab as well.  VPN solutions are not set up or maintained by Tekla PowerFab.  Here we give you an overview on how they can be used with Tekla PowerFab.

Connect to the office network from the computer that runs Tekla PowerFab

  • The connection is set up and access permitted to the network usually through your IT. 
  • Licensing will likely require a split VPN connection.
  • Latency in the remote connection will be greater than your office network, so most processes requiring calls to the server will take longer to run.
  • This is the least recommended option due to performance levels.


Scenario 4: For use with the Estimating module only, install a local database

If Tekla PowerFab is installed as a server install, the database is local to their machine. Restoring a database from their company’s server and restore it to their local machine.  This will ensure all the current company settings and jobs are available.

The estimator can then perform estimates from the local machine, and when finished, use the Job Maintenance option to export the estimate. The export can then be imported into the main database.  This workflow has the potential for inaccuracy if the settings in both databases do not match.  If there are changes they need to be made to both databases. 
This scenario is also only practical for estimating.  Other modules of Tekla PowerFab are dependent on links to other records not included in the export.

Was this helpful?