This document answers the most common questions (FAQ) asked by users, client organizations and resellers about the DeskActive solution, in a number of areas.

Technical FAQ

Why Isn’t DeskActive A Web Application?

DeskActive is a light-weight installed application (what Microsoft calls a “smart client” application), rather than being entirely web or email based. This has a number of advantages:

• As an installed application, DeskActive represents ‘push’ technology rather than web-based content delivery which uses a ‘pull’ model. In pull model offerings, even with email reminders, web-based content is only viewed when the user explicitly chooses to go to a website or web application, and typically requires manual entry of their progress.
  By comparison DeskActive’s push approach means that content sessions are pushed to clients, and progress is recorded automatically, without the need to initiate a website visit.
  This results in dramatically increased engagement by staff, compared to web-only solutions.
  The push approach also allows a significant branding opportunity for the organization or health provider, at multiple points in the Client Application sessions, viewed frequently by each staff member.
• DeskActive resides in the user’s system tray (bottom-right), and can subtly notify staff that activity breaks are due, via Outlook-style pop-ups (see picture below). This is shown to be far more effective at encouraging regular staff participation than relying on users to access a website of their own accord, or having them receive email newsletters (which are too easy to ignore).
• The installed application silently downloads new content (stretch/exercise animations or health and wellbeing advice) in the background between sessions, so staff never need wait for a browser to load content.
  Re-used content is kept locally, in a per-machine or centralized organization server store. This allows us to utilize far higher quality, more detailed movies and content than competitors.
• As an installed application DeskActive is highly-responsive (no wait) when moving between screens, displaying content, or generating graphs and reports, as all critical information is cached locally.

As a smart client application, DeskActive is straight forward to install on either individual machines or to roll-out throughout corporate environments silently. It employs the latest Microsoft standards for corporate roll-outs, and can be downloaded directly from the web. It uses web technologies for all connectivity, so there are no firewall or security issues more complex than giving access to a website.

DeskActive has no messy license keys to enter upon installation. It is freely installed from the website, and thereafter runs on a subscription model, where the subscription enables the connection with the health professional and allows delivery of new content and modification of sessions. As an example, It is as simple to install as Skype, iTunes or other software offered online. Updates can be automatically distributed to users.

Is DeskActive Difficult To Install?

DeskActive has been designed from the ground up by experts in software development for large organizations. Its architecture has been reviewed and refined by system administrators of large corporates, and Microsoft certified software architects.

DeskActive can be installed on individual PCs from a CD or the internet, or distributed manually or automatically across an entire organization’s network.

DeskActive supports Microsoft’s preferred automatic network rollout of software in Windows domains, using Windows Server group policies, for installations and updates.

See our Installation Guide for quick steps to install DeskActive.

How Does DeskActive Communication Function?

DeskActive communicates entirely using https secured web communications. Put simply, if users can be given permission to access the deskactive.com web domain, then their DeskActive application will be able to communicate with the central server, retrieving updated activity and advice programs, sending/receiving health messages with health providers, and retrieving new content as it becomes available.

How Is DeskActive Secured?

All DeskActive communications is secured using SSL / https encrypted communications. The same technology used to secure internet banking.

How Is DeskActive Licensed?

DeskActive applications can be freely installed on as many machines as desired by registered users, for example for access from home, office, and a notebook for portable use.

No messy registration keys are required for installation, and upgrades are free.

DeskActive is charged on a subscription basis, in 12 month blocks, per user.

Usage FAQ

Is Any Training Required To Use DeskActive?

No.

The DeskActive Client application is designed to be totally intuitive and easy-to-use, to the point where no training is required at all for any user with basic computer skills.

Over 99% of users that have the application installed in their organization can start using based on what they read on the quick-start desk card they receive at start-up.

Are The Pop-Ups Disruptive? How Do We Address The Possible Annoyance Factor?

DeskActive pop-ups are very similar to Microsoft Outlook pop-ups that subtly fade in when new messages arrive by default.

As with Outlook pop-ups, DeskActive pop-ups fade in over other applications on a small section of the screen, and if ignored fade-away within five seconds, without taking keyboard focus from the current application. And just like receiving an email in Outlook, typically the user will note that they have a DeskActive session due, but finish what they are doing before starting the session.

Furthermore, pop-up settings are configurable by the organization, or optionally editable by users, so the use of an audio tone, the pop-up itself, the frequency of sessions and reminders, can all be readily configured to suit an organization’s preference. Alternative alerts include the simple animation or color change of the system tray icon, to allow the user to quickly see that a session is due, or new messages have been received.