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Can I Use "Cloud" Storage with Classic Products? - OST QB DPC

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Question

Can I store my data (images, databases, or backups) in "The Cloud" (a service such as: Onedrive™, Dropbox™, Google Drive™, etc.)?

Answer

ConstructConnect offers a true cloud-based Takeoff solution - check out ConstructConnect Takeoff for more information. With CCTO, all your data, including images, is securely stored (at rest) in our platform.

For our on-premises, Classic Products (On-Screen Takeoff®, Quick Bid®, Digital Production Control™)...

Images - you should have no problem but make sure you set your entire Plan folder to be available "Offline" (so a local copy is always available) - see your vendor for assistance. Also, if you are converting a large number of files, some cloud-services may update too slowly and will cause the image converter in OST to fail (remember, OST puts the "Converted" folder in the original file location).
Databases - at this time, On-Screen Takeoff, Quick Bid, and Digital Production Control do not support storing database in 'the cloud', even if there is a local copy on the hard drive. Most 'cloud' services place "locks" on files briefly when they update them (this typically happens when the file is closed) - this can cause problems with the program because the program will temporarily e unable to use a database. You could lose information or the program could stop responding. That being said, we have many users who store their databases in Microsoft's OneDrive - just remember, there is a risk so be sure you perform regular backups and run Compact & Repair often (see Related Articles for details on backing up/restoring databases and performing Compact & Repair).

We have not tested or certified using Azure SQL databases in OST or QB - at this time, we cannot recommend their use and have not added Azure support to our roadmap. If you would like to submit a feature request to add support for Azure SQL, please fill out the form in: Suggesting a Feature, Improvement, or Change to a Product. (March 2022)

Backups - this is a great method to employ 'off-site' backups! Just change the "Backups Folder" in Tool > Options > Folders to the local folder that is synchronized with your cloud-service.

Warnings

Be sure to set your Cloud app (OneDrive, GoogleDrive, DropBox, etc.) to always keep a copy of your file(s) on your computer and not only in the cloud. If you should look internet connection (even for a second or two) OST can crash when it tries to access a file.

Do not access remote drives, such as network drives, over the internet, such as using a VPN to connect to your company's network drive. This does not store a local copy of any files you access and will cause problems with your application (such as crashes, freeze-ups, and corrupt data). If you need assistance with copying files from your company's network to your local hard drive, please contact your IT Department.

What about Virtual Servers?

You may store SQL databases and Plans/image files on a Virtual Server provided your workstation and whatever server you are using for storage is on the same network. Connecting to an offsite server, over the Internet, will not work reliably.

Caution

If you run into problems, please remember, our Classic product line was not designed to support 'cloud' storage. You are responsible for any troubleshooting and configuration, On Center does not provide technical assistance of any kind for these scenarios. On Center cautions you to make sure your information is backed up properly in case something happens to your files/data.

You are responsible for the security of our data when you store it in "the cloud". On Center/ConstructConnect does not warrant your databases as "internet-secure" - you are entirely responsible for deciding who has access to the files you store in any Cloud service.

Options to setup database and bid sharing are included in each products' Help File/Online User Guide. Also, review the Related articles for more information on Best Practices and SQL recommendations.