SmartVS Installation Options

In all of the following scenarios, each user must have their own SmartVS license.  Options for sharing the same computer, multiple computers in a lab or cloud-based options are described:

Personal PC
(Windows 10 or 11)

The easiest way to use SmartVS is to install and run the application directly on a PC.  SmartVS was developed based on actual PC-based software running actual medical devices such as SmartEP. Running SmartVS on a PC will provide users with the actual running experience of these devices.  Learning to use PC-based applications is critical in the learning experience as there are no such devices available for Mac computers.

Currently, Mini-PC computers are available for as little as $150.  (See models available from Amazon: GEEKOM Mini AIR11 Mini PC Windows 11 Pro, 8GB RAM Dual DDR4 256GB M.2 SSD, Mini Computer with Intel 11th Gen N5095, Home/Business Mini Desktop Computer, 4K UHD/Dual WiFi/BT4.2/HDMI/Gigabit Ethernet). A wireless keyboard and mouse can be added for under $30.00.  The mini-PC provides an HDMI to connect to any large screen TV providing an excellent display workspace.

PC Multi-User – Shared Installation:

One user at a time

Sharing the same computer

Each user should have their own installation on the PC in order to keep their workspace separate.  Otherwise, recordings and other generated exercise files will be mixed up between users.  When installing the software, simply add a designated user ID to the SmartVS installation director – such as SmartVSUser1.  The user can then run his specific version by going into that directory.  All their recordings and results will be stored in that directory.

PC Multi-User – Shared Multiple Computers (Thumb Drive Installation):

One user at a time

Sharing multiple computers

The SmartVS installation can be copied onto a thumb drive (either the SmartVS distribution thumb drive used as the license dongle or a user thumb drive with a Web license option).  In this scenario, SmartVS runs directly from the thumb drive and all the user files are also stored in their personal thumb drive.  No files are kept on the computer being used and the user will have all their files when they move to a new computer.  This is ideal for computer lab situations where users need to use whichever computer is available at any time.   Users should backup their SimulatorRecordings folder inside the SmartVS installation from time to time just in case their thumb drive fails or is lost.  When using a Web license option, each computer must have access to the www.ihsys.com site in order to register the license to that computer during that session.

Multi-User – Institutional Cloud-based Installation using Remote Desktop:

Multiple Simultaneous users running SmartVS

Windows Server with
Remote Desktop access

The built-in Windows Remote Desktop services may be activated in machines running a Windows Server operating system.  Windows Servers allow multiple users to log-in simultaneously without sharing desktop or documents.  User access can be controlled using Active Directory or similar. Mac users may use the Remote Desktop connection app available from Microsoft in the mac App Store.  Similar apps are available for iOS and Android. 

Alternatively, remote desktop can be set up to use a web client on Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, or Linux while using a modern browser such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Mozilla Firefox.  Administrators can set up a server to be accessible using a web address.  More details about setting up Web Client Access can be found at the Microsoft Learn website.

Multi-User – Institutional Cloud-based Installation with Virtual Network Computing (VNC):

Multiple Simultaneous users running SmartVS

Windows Server with user assigned Virtual Machines running VNC Server

Programs such as RealVNC or other similar applications running on a Window Server, will allow multiple users to run their own license of SmartVS using almost any type of device supported by the VNC-Viewer.  The VNC-viewer is typically free to install for the users and typically supports PC, Mac and Linux devices.  Each user requires a virtual machine on the Windows Server so they can be assigned their own workspace where they can install SmartVS and run their installation remotely.  Each virtual machine must have a license for a VNC server.

Multi-User – Third-Party Cloud-based Installation with Virtual Network Computing (VNC):

Multiple Simultaneous users running SmartVS

Apporto, AWS, Windows 365 or Azure type services

Companies such as Apporto, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Windows 365, or Azure can provide cloud based virtual PC services as described in the previous cloud-based section for a monthly fee.  We estimate this would cost approximately $35/month for a typical SmartVS user; however, prices may vary, and users need to confirm this information with their provider.  Users also must make sure to close each session when they stop working in order to assure that usage charges do not continue to accrue. Again, a VNC-viewer is typically required on the user’s personal device. Users are provided with a workspace where they can install SmartVS and use it from any device supported by the VNC-viewers.  Apporto provides a web-based VNC-viewer interface that does not require the installation of the viewer on the user’s device.

Mac Users – Running directly on a Mac:

Mac Running PlayOnMac or Parallels or similar applications

SmartVS will run on Mac computers with a PC emulator or Windows partition.  This option works on many Macs but not on all models, therefore, it is not supported by IHS.  User will need to install applications such as PlayOnMac or Parrallels on their Mac computers.

PlayOnMac is available for free and works on most Mac computers, but users need to follow the installation instructions very carefully.  The program, however, may not work or work very slowly on some Mac models.

Parallels is a program that allows users to install Windows and run Windows applications on their Macs.  Users must purchase a Windows license in addition to Parallels.