Normally, it is not possible to install two instances of Innfluence on the same network. However, there is a way to do so by using what we call a "Training server". This document outlines the steps required to do so and highlights some important details that should be kept in mind when doing so.

Requirement for a test / training server

• Although not recommended, the test server can be on the same subnet as the production server.
• You must obtain a specific activation code for your training environment. See below for explanation.

Things to know before starting

• When in training mode, the server will erase all sensitive data that could result in unwanted behavior (such as sending e-mails to the guests or processing credit card payments). This is to ensure that you training environment will never interfere with you real production server in any way. Thus, it is perfectly possible (and recommended) to use your production data on the training server.
  
• When in training mode, the Server Monitor Tool cannot determine if the server is started or not. This is because the monitoring tool relies on the server's network identification to check server status. Since in test mode we disable this feature, the monitoring tool is not able to identify wether or not the server is started, even if it is started and working. To check server status, you need to check the Windows "Services" panel in Control Panel - Administrative tools - Services

Procedure to install the training server

1. Obtain a free Training Activation Code from our support department.
   This is required so that the system does not use the real (production) account for reservations!
2. When installing Innfluence on the training server, select the option "Training server installation" when asked what kind of installation you want to do.
3. Once it is installed and running, launch the client application in training mode using the icon "Innfluence (training)" that was created on the desktop by the installation software.
4. Activate the training server using your Training Activation Code.
5. Your test server is now ready...
   
6. You may now backup your data from your production environment , copy the backup file to the training server and restore the backup onto your training server.

Procedure to install the test client workstation(s)

There is nothing special to do on the client workstations. When you install Innfluence, an icon "Innfluence (training)" will be created on the desktop along with the "Innfluence" icon. To connect to the training server, users must use the "Innfluence (training)" icon.

When using this icon, the login screen will be slightly different and will display a notice "Training server" confirming that you are connecting to the training server and not the production (normal) server.

Best practices for test / training installations

• You may regularly update the training data by restoring backups from the production environment onto the training server. This will give your users up-to-date information to work with, which is much more useful than old and outdated data.
• It is recommended to modify the hotel name and append a note (something like "***** TEST MODE ******" or " ****** TRAINING *****"). That way your users will know that they are using the test / training environment and not the real one. If you do so, remember to change this information every time you update your training data from the production environment,