One of the big changes we made in ArchiOffice 2012 was to make it a browser-based application. This means you only have to install it on one machine in your office (or in the cloud), which acts as the server, and maintain updates only on that computer. Nothing has to be installed on your employees’ machines for them to use it. All they need is a web browser.
Because ArchiOffice is browser-based, it’s easier to maintain, can be used on multiple platforms and is highly mobile. You can work on your data anywhere you have a web browser and Internet access.
But there are other hidden benefits to being browser-based. Most popular web browsers come with some native features that can be used to enhance your ArchiOffice productivity and experience.
I’ll go over how you can use built-in browser options such as caching, bookmarks and view magnification to make your work easier.
Browser Cache
In prior versions of ArchiOffice, the login window would display a drop-down list of user names. This made logging in faster but it also created a security issue. For example, a user such as Bob Jones may have changed his login name to Imhotep. Anyone else in the firm, who knew Bob, would recognize that Imhotep is Bob and look around to see how else he used that name. Perhaps he used it as a password.
In ArchiOffice 2012, an Administrator user can disable the drop-down list and require employees to type both their user name and password. This setting is controlled by ArchiOffice settings (Preferences > System > Company).
If this option has been enabled, you can still have your user name display on the login screen. Most browsers store information for fields such as the User Name. Unless you clear your browser’s cache manually or configure the browser to not store field entries, your user name will display each time you access the ArchiOffice login page. All you need to do is type your password. Also, don’t bother using your mouse to click the Login button. After typing your password, just hit the Enter key on your keyboard and you’re in.
Open Multiple Browser Sessions Simultaneously
Most of the popular web browsers provide the option to have multiple websites open simultaneously. You can open sites in separate tabs or in a completely different window. You can use this to your advantage now with ArchiOffice 2012.
In previous ArchiOffice versions, you were limited to working in one window–typical of most desktop applications. Switching repeatedly between screens could become a nuisance. In the 2012 version, you can open ArchiOffice modules in separate tabs or windows. Right-click on any module tab, for example Projects, and choose to open it in a new tab or window.
This means you can create multiple views of the Projects module and look at your budgets across multiple projects simultaneously. Look at the following image to see an instance in which I had four projects opened at one time.
Zoom In or Out
Got bad eye sight or want to take full advantage of your monitor’s real estate? Use your browser’s zoom feature to control the size of screen data being viewed. You can enlarge or shrink the size of any ArchiOffice screen displayed in the browser. For example, in the above image, I zoomed in to make the screens smaller. This enabled me to have four projects in view simultaneously. To zoom in, press and hold the Control key (CTRL) and then press +; press – to zoom out. Press CTRL + 0 to return to the default view size. Mac users, the Command (CMD) key would be the equivalent of the CTRL key on your keyboards.
Bookmark Screens
While the redesigned ArchiOffice makes it easier to navigate, your browser’s bookmarking feature can significantly reduce your work time. You can bookmark modules or specific records such as contacts or projects.
As long as you’re logged into ArchiOffice, you can select a bookmarked screen and jump to it in a new tab or window, no searching or paging through record list required. And if you want some real power, simply click the Open All in Tabs option.
Email Links
If you want to share information on a screen with another ArchiOffice user, select File > Email Link from your browser’s menu. Your email client (e.g., Outlook) will open and you can send the URL. If recipients are logged into ArchiOffice, clicking the link will take them directly to the page you want them to see.
Take advantage of these simple browser features to increase your productivity when working with ArchiOffice 2012.
