Creating and opening databases

Step-by-step guide

To facilitate both workgroup and standalone operation, InfoWorks ICM maintains data in a centralized, multi-user, on-premises type of database, consisting of a database and additional files. From version 2024 onwards, the data can also be maintained in a centralized, multi-user database in the cloud. Local working copies of parts of the data, such as networks with changes not yet committed, are stored in the Local Working Folder of each user. The database provides a flexible hierarchy for managing data.

When you start InfoWorks ICM for the first time, it appears blank, because no database is selected. To create a new database:

1. From the File menu, select Open > Open/Create database.

2. Alternatively, from the File toolbar, click the Create a New Database button.

From the Open Database dialog box, select Cloud, Workgroup or Standalone database.

To create a cloud database, an admin must first set up a hub where cloud data is stored and shared between users. Then, to create a new cloud database:

3. From the Open Database dialog box, select Cloud.
4. In the Open Cloud Database popup, click New.
5. In the New Database dialog box, in the Hub drop-down, select the hub.
6. Enter a Name for the database, such as “Training” for this exercise.

7. Click OK.

To connect to a workgroup database, the workgroup data server must be installed either on an accessible remote or local machine. Then, to create a new workgroup database:

8. From the Open Database dialog box, select Workgroup.
9. Under Workgroup Data Server, specify a Server name or Server port.

IMPORTANT:

• If running the workgroup data server on your own computer, you can use the name “localhost”.
• If using a centralized server, enter that server name.

10. To connect to the data server, Click Connect.

To create a new database on the data server:

11. In the Database group box, click New.
12. In the New Database dialog box, enter a name, such as “Training”.
13. Click OK.

To open an existing database on the data server:

14. In the Database group box, expand the Database drop-down.
15. Select the existing database.

The group is not mandatory and can be left blank.

16. Click OK.

To create a new standalone database:

17. From the Open Database dialog box, select Standalone.
18. In the Open Standalone Database popup, click New.
19. In the Save As dialog box, specify the name and location of the .icmm file.

NOTE: Standalone databases should only be stored on the local machine of the user and not in shared locations.

To ensure backwards compatibility:

20. Expand the Database version drop-down and select a previous version.
21. Click Save.
22. In the Open Standalone Database popup, click OK.

In the Model Group window, a new main database appears.

By default, whenever ICM is opened, it opens the last used database.