Test Drive DocRead Today (as posted on Collaboris’ blog)
To get articles like this free in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter.
Collaboris has launched an environment with CloudShare and I wanted to share the information and instructions with you here, as posted on their blog.
Test Drive DocRead Today
We are proud to announce the launch of a fully functioning DocRead 2010 SharePoint ‘Sandpit’ environment hosted with CloudShare. This will allow you to get hands-on with DocRead without the need to install anything on your organisation servers.
Within the sandpit, you can either follow our 4 Tutorials (each one will take you approx. 5 minutes to complete) by downloading and following the instructions within the PDF below OR if you prefer and already know what you want to try with DocRead, you can go straight ahead and access the environment to try out scenarios you have in mind.
To help get you started, we have set up and named the environment as if it were a real world organisation but for the more experienced SharePoint 2010 customer, you can edit the site and documents as you wish to match your intended scenario.
That’s all there is to it!
Click the first link below to access the Tutorial material or click the second link to go straight there.
- Tutorials
- Access DocRead and get started straight away – but remember you will need a CloudShare account to do this. If you don’t have one or are unsure, follow the instructions below.
Get set-up in CloudShare
Step 1 : Sign-up or Log-in to CloudShare
If you don’t have an existing account with CloudShare then you will need one to access the DocRead Sandpit. Click the link below to create a CloudShare account. Your account is free for 48 hours, so we recommend that you create your account when you can dedicate some time to road-testing DocRead.
http://use.cloudshare.com/Pro/ShareEnv/Y1ZXEZCM0F5B
Step 2 : Verify Email (new user)
Once you have signed-up as a new user you will be given a link within a verification email. Click the link, you will now be presented with the ‘My Environments’ screen.
The ‘My Environments’ screen displays all the machines that comprise your new SharePoint Farm. To get back to this screen at any stage click ‘My Environments’ on the menu at the top of the CloudShare site, as below:
DocRead has already been installed for you and is ready to be used. Note: It make take 3-5 minutes for all machines to initialise.
Step 3: Access SharePoint
You will need to access SharePoint to get started with DocRead. Under the ‘Machines List’ (in your ‘My Environments’ page), find ‘SharePoint Enterprise 2010 – Front End – DocRead‘
Click “View Machine” (as highlighted in the picture above). This will bring up a new browser window. CloudShare may ask you install an ActiveX control.You will need to do this to continue.
You can now view, control and try out the DocRead product as you wish. Enjoy!
If you leave your session within the 48 hours
IMPORTANT! If you close down your session at CloudShare (within the 48 hours), then please don’t redo steps 1 and 2 (unless you need another trial with a different user).
To resume your session log back into https://use.cloudshare.com/Pro/Login.mvc (using the user name and password specified in steps 1 and 2). Once you are succesfully logged in, then just follow the instructions in step 3 and you should be back inside the trial environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CloudShare?
CloudShare is a company that offer a hosting service that allows you to easily (and quickly) get up and running with SharePoint. It’s mainly aimed at testers and developers as the service isn’t really for production use. However, you can pay for your servers to be “always on”.
For the DocRead trial, this means we can offer the ability for a customer to test DocRead in their own sandboxed environment which means that you don’t need to rely on anyone in your own organisation in order to test drive the product.
What if I have a CloudShare Account already?
If you already have an account with CloudShare then this makes the process a little easier and also gives you the ability to extend your trial for as long as you need (beyond the 48 hours).
Will other people trialling DocRead see my tasks, documents and data?
No. Once you begine your trial it’s a completely isolated environment that’s personal to you and those that you choose to share it with.
What happens after 48 hours?
The free trial will end. You can see how long you have left in the trial by looking click on the ‘My environments’ tab in CloudShare. If you want to continue the trial, please purchase a subscription from CloudShare.
Can I access the trial directly through a browser.
If you have followed the instructions above, then you will be accessing the trial by ‘remote control’ (aka RDP), this is like going to the offices at CloudShare and physically sitting in front of the machine. However, if you would like to share a Url with others, so that you are just browsing the trial site – you need set-up “web access”. For a guide on how to do this, please read this post at CloudShare. Alternatively, drop us an email atsupport@collaboris.co.uk and we can help.
What you should do next…
1. Subscribe to our newsletter:
Subscribe to our newsletter below for the latest news, advice and thought-leadership for software professionals. Or visit our blog to browse our most recent articles.
2. Learn how virtual labs can grow your business:
To learn more about how CloudShare helps software organizations grow revenue, increase efficiency and improve quality, visit our resources page. You’ll be able to browser dozens of valuable white papers, eBooks, webinars, case studies, and brochures.
3. Get a FREE, no obligation demo:
Discover just how easy it is to create your cloud environment—in minutes! One of our friendly virtual labs experts will be happy to:
- Show you the platform in action
- Calculate pricing for your business
- Set you up with a 14-day free trial
- Answer any questions you have
- No pressure or obligation