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Legacy Elexio Database - Mac Setup Instructions

The instructions below should be completed on each Mac that will need access to the Legacy Elexio Database.

In short, the setup process involves installing Microsoft Remote Desktop on the user's Mac and setting up the configuration information to connect to Elexio's server for a virtual desktop. The Microsoft Remote Desktop program is free and accessed in the Mac App Store. Once installed and configured, users can follow the simple access instructions at the bottom of this page.

To complete these instructions you will need your Mac setup credentials which can be found in the Account Center.

  1. Navigate to and login at http://account.elexio.com using your standard Elexio user name and password (If you password does not work, your system administrator will need to grant you access to the Account Center or send you the Mac setup username and password).
  2. In the Account Center, the Dashboard tab loads by default. Click on Your Products → Elexio Database → and select the My Elexio Database Details button.

  1. In the resulting window make note of your Mac Solution user name and password which will be used in the User Accounts setup below.

 

Legacy Elexio Database Mac Setup Instructions

IMPORTANT: based on new changes around the way the remote desktop connection is established, make sure to review all steps to ensure your setup will work correctly.

 

Remote Desktop Installation

  1. Open up the App Store on your Mac (If you are a brand new Mac user, you can find how to do this here: https://www.apple.com/support/macbasics/).
  2. Search for "Microsoft Remote Desktop" (The newest version is '10' and it supports copy/paste functions from your Mac ).

    Mac App Store Link

  1. Follow the instructions to install the Microsoft Remote desktop app on your computer.

 

Remote Desktop Preferences Setup

  1. Open the Microsoft Remote desktop app
  2. Select the menu item Microsoft Remote Desktop → Preferences.

  1. Under the User Accounts tab ...

    1. Select the + icon to add a new user account.
    2. Use the information from the Account Center to fill in the login credentials. Give the user account a friendly name that is easy to recognize like "Elexio Database."
    3. Click the Add button to save the new User Account.

  1. Now move to the Gateways tab ...

    1. Select the + icon to add a new gateway.
    2. Fill in the Gateway Name with exactly (or copy/paste):

      ts.elexio.com

    3. Give the gateway a friendly name that is easy to recognize like "Elexio Database." In the drop down below the gateway friendly name, choose the User Account setup in the previous steps. (Our example is called "Elexio Database.")
    4. Click the Add button to save the new Gateway details.

  1. The Preferences have now been completely setup, so use the Red X in the upper right corner to close this window. You are now ready to setup the server link.

 

Remote Desktop Add PC Setup

  1. Click the + icon → Add PC or the button to Add PC. Both do the same thing.

  1. The Add PC configuration window will appear. Fill in the details to add the remote server connection information. For the PC name field, enter the name exactly (or copy/paste):

    elexio-clientrd

    Use the drop downs to fill in the other information based on the Preferences setup walk through in the above instructions for the 'User Account' and 'Gateway'. Fill in the 'Friendly Name' field with a descriptor that is easy to recognize. We used "Elexio Database."

NOTE: If you want to download reports for printing or opening on the Mac, make sure to setup the Folders tab. First click the check box for 'Redirect folders' and then use the + to choose a folder on your Mac to save the data to. (This folder will then show as a 'network drive' with the name of your computer in the left column of the windows explorer when saving the data. Choose that drive and the document will save to the folder referenced here.)

Use the Devices & Audio tab if you want to enable basic printing from remote desktop. Advanced printing features are only available if the document is downloaded to the Mac computer.

 

Running the Elexio Database on a Mac 

  1. Locate and start Microsoft Remote Desktop (Use Spotlight, Launchpad, search the Applications folder, or it may be in your Dock)
  2. Your PC setup is now available as a clickable button link. Select by clicking to open and login to the server.
  3. The first time you connect you may be prompted to verify a security certificate.
  4. Select "Show Certificate" and choose the checkbox to "Always trust." Save this preference and Continue to connect. The acceptance process will ask for your Mac computer login password. Enter this information to complete the trusting of the certificate so this prompt is not seen every time.
  5. This will open the remote connection and prompt for your Database login credentials.
  6. Hurray! You have logged into the Legacy Elexio Database from a Mac.

 

Elexio recommends that you place Microsoft Remote Desktop in the Dock or Launchpad of each Mac that will frequently access the Elexio Database.

 

 Ending Your Database Session

It is important to note that when you're done working in the Database on your Mac, you will want to be sure to close the Database application by clicking the "X" in the upper right hand corner... NOT simply closing the Remote Desktop program. This is especially important when using a machine that multiple users share, or when multiple users would be connecting from the same IP address.

 

 

 



 

Other Mac Install Tips

If you have trouble connecting to our server it could be that your computer is being blocked by a firewall setting on your local internet access point. If you are in your church office you'll need to get your local admin to unblock Port 443 which is the standard port used for secured Remote Desktop.

Need help with this? Then use Google and search for "How to open port 443". Add the name of your router if you know it for even more specific help.

If you keep getting disconnected while you are working in Elexio Database, this is probably caused by a setting on your church's firewall. Learn more.

With Snow Leopard or earlier, we really like the "Spaces" feature because it allows you to have multiple screens running at the same time while easily switching between them. So you might want to make your Elexio Database run in its own full screen on Space 2 while all your other programs run on Space 1, for example.

  • Go to System Preferences and select Expose & Spaces.
  • Select the Spaces button at the top.
  • Check the box to Enable Spaces.
  • Then click the + sign at the bottom and add the Remote Desktop Connection app.
  • Then select a Space for it to run in. (You may need to add a Space using the + button for Columns.

Limitations of the Mac Version

There are some limitations to the Mac version. They are:

  1. You can't work offline using our Elexio Database for Mac solution. However, if you want to use VMware or Parallels you can work offline since you'd be running the PC version in Windows on your Mac (Bootcamp works too but we're not fans of it cause you have to shut down your Mac and reboot into Windows).
  2. We don't offer integration with MS Office for Mac like we do for MS Office for Windows. For example, when you output a Database report to Excel you'll need to save the file to your Public folder and then manually open the file using Excel for Mac or Numbers. (On the PC we automatically open the spreadsheet in Excel for Windows).
  3. You can't use a check imager/reader for contribution data entry.
  4. We don't offer Elexio Check-In for Mac. But if you want to run Elexio Check-In on Mac hardware then use VMware or Bootcamp. For example, if you want to use iMacs for your kiosks then we recommend using Bootcamp since those machines are dedicated as kiosks.

Still Having Trouble?

Take a look at our Mac Troubleshooting Help Page.

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Last Updated:4/15/2020

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