DAQFactory is also available in a runtime version.  The runtime version of DAQFactory is just the Pro version of DAQFactory without the editing capabilities.  There is no menu, no workspace, no watch or other docking windows, and no status bar.  You can't change component's properties, nor use the graph popup menu (or any other menu for that matter).   What the runtime will do is load your DAQFactory document and display all your process screens.  You can take data, display it, run sequences, change pages, log data, etc.  Typically you would use the runtime version when you don't want the end user to be able to modify your settings, but would like to allow them to operate your process.

DAQFactory Runtime is a part of the same program as the development version of DAQFactory.  You can now easily switch between development and runtime mode.  There are three ways we foresee this being used:

1) You have a single installation with inexperienced users that should not be making document changes but once deployed you may need to occasionally make changes to your application.   This also applies if you have multiple installations and put a development license on each.

2) You have multiple installations with inexperienced users and wish to occasionally make modifications and you own the hardware key option.

3) You have multiple installations with inexperienced users and you will make modifications only in your office.

Note: documents created in the DAQFactory trial, Express or Starter versions of DAQFactory cannot be opened under a Runtime license.  Likewise, while the trial version does allow you to switch to runtime mode while the trial is valid, Express and Starter do not.

Single Installation:

For this, you will only need the development license.  Put the development license on the computer that the end user will be using along with your application.   Go to File - Document Settings... and put a password on your document to prevent the end user from switching to development mode.  This will also cause DAQFactory to load the document in runtime mode.  Finally, create a shortcut to DAQFactory.exe and add your document name in the target.  To do this, right click on the shortcut and select properties.  Then in the section under Target, add a space and your document name after DAQFactory.exe:

Now, when DAQFactory loads, it will run your specified document in runtime mode.  When you wish to make modifications to the document, you can click on the system menu (the DAQFactory icon at the top left corner of the window) and select Switch to Development.  You will be prompted for the password before switching.  Then you can modify your document at will, making sure to save you changes, and then select File - Switch to Runtime mode to revert back.  To force a development license into runtime mode at startup, use the -R startup flag as described in the section on startup flags.  

Multiple Installations with Hardware key:

If you expect to make multiple runtime installations and need to be able to occasionally modify the documents on-site you should consider the hardware key option.  The hardware key is a thumb sized USB key that contains your development license.  It is included with DAQFactory Developer and available as an option for the other versions of DAQFactory.  On the installation computers you would install DAQFactory and license it only with a runtime license.  Install your document and create the shortcut as described above.  Install the hardware key driver as explained in the section of the hardware key option.  At this point, your system should run properly in runtime mode.  When you wish to make modifications to the document, insert the hardware key, then click on the system menu (the DAQFactory icon at the top left corner of the window) and select Switch to Development.  If you put a password in, you will be prompted for the password before switching.  Then you can modify your document at will, making sure to save you changes.  When you are done, you can select File - Switch to Runtime mode to revert back, or simply pull the hardware key out and the system will automatically switch back to Runtime mode.  Please note that with a fresh DAQFactory installation, the end user will be able to switch to development mode for the first 25 days (the default trial period) if a password is not required.

Multiple Installations without Hardware key:

If you will only be making document changes in your office, then you can simply install DAQFactory on your customer sites as explained above, creating the appropriate shortcut, password, license them for runtime and you are done.  On your office computer, you would keep your development license where you could modify your DAQFactory documents.  When complete, simply save your document and install it on the remote system over top of the existing file.  Then restart DAQFactory using your shortcut and the new document will load into runtime.  Since there is no development license on the customer sites, the customer will be unable to switch to development mode.  Please note that with a fresh DAQFactory installation, the end user will be able to switch to development mode for the first 25 days (the default trial period) if a password is not required.

Runtime Menu:

DAQFactory in Runtime mode does have small menu available for a few options.  This menu is accessed by clicking on the DAQFactory icon at the top left corner of the window.

Full Screen: This will put the runtime in full screen mode.  You'll have to hit Alt-Space to open the menu up to switch out of full screen mode.  Use Document Settings under File when creating your document to set the document in Full Screen mode on load.   The F4 key can also be used to switch in and out of full screen mode.

The rest of the options are for licensing DAQFactory and are discussed in the section on licensing.

Pointers and extra features for Runtimes:

•When designed runtime documents, remember that DAQFactory features accessed through menus are not accessible.  Examples include changing pages, printing pages, and exiting the program.  Use component events for these.  One exception is graph scaling and zooming.  A user of DAQFactory Runtime can still right click on a graph and perform the zooming functions.

•You can set the size of a runtime document's window by selecting File - Document Settings... from the main menu.  This information gets saved with the document.  Note that this is the size of the entire window including the title bar.

•To have DAQFactory automatically start in Runtime mode, you must have a document editing password on your document.

•Make sure and install the necessary device drivers into the runtime directory when installing the runtime.