Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get Started?
• Licensing
After choosing the applications to rent from the Application Showcase, please e-mail Petris at sales@petris.com or contact your Petris account manager at any of the offices listed in Support above to receive a firm quote. Most applications are available for monthly terms with some vendors requiring minimum terms ranging from 1 month and longer. Once a quote is signed and returned to Petris, a license agreement will be entered into between Petris and the licensee.
• Logging in
Once the license agreement is executed, Petris will provide the licensee with a username and password and logging in instructions. Petris will invoice the client for all fees related to the usage of the application. You may be prompted to download a "Citrix Client" if your machine has not already had a copy downloaded. This is a quick download that will allow your computer to connect to applications through the PetrisWINDS NOW! environment.
• Getting to your application(s) on PetrisWINDS NOW!
Go to www.petris.com and click on the “Login” button on the upper right hand side of the page. This will take you to a page with multiple products listed. Click on link to PetrisWINDS NOW! and this will take you to the PetrisWINDS NOW! login screen. You may want to bookmark this page.
PetrisWINDS NOW! is an ASP or SaaS offering, what does that mean?
The term ASP or Application Service Provider or SaaS or ‘Software as a Service’ covers the provision of all of the capabilities of an application, but delivered from a hosted third-party source rather than owned and hosted by the company using it. Petris’ PetrisWINDS NOW! offering provides access to approximately 50 applications, anytime and anywhere there is a compatible internet connection.
Types of applications
Petris and other third party applications address these industry areas:
• Geology, Geophysics & Petrophysics
• Reservoir Engineering & Simulation
• Drilling Engineering
• Completion & Production Engineering
• Process & Facilities Engineering
• Project Management & Collaboration
• Marketing, Regulatory & Financial
• Naval Architecture & Structural Engineering
• Refining & Petrochemical
• Public Utility & Electric Co-op
• Knowledge Management
• News Services & Information
• Data Management
Why should I consider using the ASP or SaaS model instead of simply purchasing the application?
There are literally hundreds of unique software applications in use in the E&P marketplace today. The vast majority of these applications are sold and deployed in the conventional way: the purchaser receives and installs the media on hardware that they purchase, configure and operate. In contrast, an ASP deployment of the same application requires no upfront purchase, no installation and no additional hardware (other than a PC with a web browser).
What is required to use the applications?
A web browser and a license to access are required. The first time you access, you will be prompted to download a lightweight Citrix client to enable access to the software. To obtain a license to use, please contact Petris
.
Do I need a particular version of Windows?
You must be using Windows 98 or higher (including 2000, NT, and XP).
Do I need a really fast computer and T1 line?
No. The processing and analysis of data are performed on the servers at Petris' data facility. Your computer will just need to be able to display the results of the analysis. Customers with faster computers and T1 lines will be more efficient, but customers on a fast dial-up connection (56K) will be able to use most applications as long as they can maintain a connection.
How do I see what applications are available for use?
Simply provide us with an email address and you will be granted access to the application listing.
Companies selecting to use an ASP service reduce not only their costs – they reduce their risk. A software purchase can be a substantive investment, and the opportunity to rent the latest and greatest of any application, rather than invest in its purchase and support, helps mitigate the financial risk of commitment to one supplier while in many cases lowering the barriers to use of other ‘best of breed’ applications.
Will the different software vendors provide me with training and application support?
Yes the individual vendors support these applications; however some vendors do have limitations on the amount of non billable support they will provide. Some vendors have restrictions on the level of support, so please be sure and understand those terms before getting started. Petris will provide vendor contact information if needed to help you make contact with the specific vendor for application operation questions, instructions, training and other help
What software do I need on my computer?
You need access to the Internet and software called Citrix. Citrix can be downloaded at no charge and must be installed on each computer that will be used to access the PetrisWINDS NOW! applications. Citrix will access your Internet connection, using it to connect to the Petris' servers. If you use a dial-up connection, you may need to dial into your Internet Service Provider, then access the Citrix program. [Many companies use Citrix for employees' remote access. If you already have it, you will just set up an additional client for Petris.]
My company has a firewall for security. Will that affect my ability to use the applications?
Citrix communicates through TCP port 1494. Your network administrator will need to open this port for you to be able to access the PetrisWINDS NOW! applications. This port should allow communication without jeopardizing your organization's firewall configuration. If you have any questions, please check with your network administrator about the availability of this port.
How will I get my data into the software for analysis?
Petris establishes a secure data storage area on its server for each customer. You can copy files from your hard drive to the server using Windows Explorer. If you have a lot of data (large files) and a slow connection, you may be able to put your information on a CD to send to Petris and have them load it for you. If you are interested in this option, please contact your Petris sales representative.
How often is data backed up?
Petris' data facility performs incremental backups every night. Full backups are done once a week. An offsite location is used to store these backups as an added precaution. If you encounter a problem with your data, Petris should be able to restore it from a backup.
Can I access my applications from home or another computer?
Yes. The computer will need to have Citrix installed and configured to access the PetrisWINDS NOW! applications. Your unique login information will identify you, and since your data resides on the Petris server, you can access it regardless of where you are.
If the analysis is running on the Petris server, how can I print the results in my office or on my home computer?
When your account is established, Petris will ask you what type of printers and/or plotters you use. If you plan to access the PetrisWINDS NOW! applications from your home computer, you will need to include your printer at home also. Petris will then make certain that the appropriate drivers are installed on the server to allow you to print to your equipment. In some instances, printer functionality may be limited due to print driver compatibility issues.
Can my company have multiple users?
Yes. Most applications would likely be valuable to several employees or a project team, depending on your company. When you set up your account, you provide Petris with the names and email addresses of the individual users. Each is assigned his/her own access code and password. By having individual IDs, multiple users can access the application at one time. They can share a common data area to facilitate the sharing of information among employees in different areas.
How long does it take to set up an account?
Petris can usually set up an account within 24 hours. They must be able to contact you via email or phone to obtain certain information, and must have a signed agreement from someone in your company with appropriate authority, so time differences or necessary approvals may create delays. [The contract is available online for downloading.] Petris only sets up accounts between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time (GMT -6) on Monday through Friday. Requests received over the weekend will be processed on Monday. Once the account is set up, there will be a delay of a few hours before your login information is active.
How can I add new users or applications?
Adding new users to an existing application or new applications to an existing account can be accomplished within a few hours during Petris' business hours. Contact your Petris representative for more information.
Who do I contact for more information?
sales@petris.com
|