The decimal Launcher is an application that allows users to authenticate securely and view many software applications that are available from .decimal. Users are then able to securely open (launch), install, and update various .decimal applications to their local computer. The decimal Launcher also allows users to install different versions of each application per site, for users that perform work for multiple sites/locations.

Access and permissions for the decimal Launcher and apps are managed through decimal Direct or by .decimal staff.

The decimal Launcher User Guide provides an overview of the decimal Launcher software as well as guides to perform common tasks using the software.

The decimal Launcher is the lightweight hub for all your new .decimal applications. It serves as a platform to easily apply updates and download new applications while allowing you as the user to only have to log in to a single platform. The Launcher will provide the following features:

• Allow users to log in with one account to access many .decimal applications
• Allow installation and updates of applications
• Verify the authenticity of all applications before opening

The decimal Launcher can be downloaded from https://www.direct.dotdecimal.com. Note: You will have to login using your decimal Direct credentials to be able to download the software.

By default the decimal Launcher installs for the current logged in user in their local app directory (e.g.: C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\Programs\decimal Launcher) and shortcuts created in the start menu and desktop. As such, it does not require administrator permissions to install on local computers.

Due to the decimal Launcher being a light weight application installation and management app, there are no steps necessary to installing the decimal Launcher application other than running the small installer (e.g.: no configuration files, no custom options, etc). Each app the Launcher installs may require additional installation or setup steps. So refer to each app's individual User Guide for initial installation and setup processes.

If it's desired to install the application for all users, IT departments may install the software for a single user and then manually copy and push the application directory and desktop/start menu shortcuts out to users on each computer.

Note: The single user installation is the preferred installation method. The all user installation provides a way to push out the application to all users on a work station, but the next time the application pulls an update it will be installed locally for the current user that installed the update.

1. Install the decimal Launcher for a single user
2. Copy the installation directory (C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\Programs\decimal Launcher) and manually push this directory to each user folder or a shared user folder
3. Create a shortcut to the decimal Launcher.exe file to each user's start menu and desktop. Ensure this shortcut is labeled 'decimal Launcher'.
   1. In the event the decimal Launcher needs to pull and install a new update, the update will be installed to the current user's AppData folder (C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\Programs\decimal Launcher) and not the manually placed decimal Launcher folder. Any existing application shortcuts in the start menu or desktop titled 'decimal Launcher' will be replaced. The existing shortcuts that point to the manually placed launcher folder will be replaced with shortcuts that now point to the user's AppData folder as long as the original short cuts where named 'decimal Launcher'.

The same process can be used to install the software for centralized or Citrix systems.

Authentication is done through your .decimal Auth0 account. If you do not have an auth0 account please contact your site’s .decimal admin or .decimal customer service at 1-800-255-1613. Once you have your Auth0 account open the launcher and you should be directed to the login page:

Fig. 1: Main Login Page

Type in your username and password and you will be logged in.

If you have forgotten your Auth0 password or want to reset it you can do so from the Launcher’s log in page.

Fig. 2: Password Reset Request

Fig. 3: Password Email Input

Select the “Don’t remember your password?” link and enter your email that is associated with your Auth0 account. You will receive a link in your email and instructions on resetting your .decimal Auth0 password.

Fig. 4: Password Reset Email Example

Fig. 5: New Password

The primary function of the Launcher is to download .decimal applications. After logging into the Launcher and selections a site you will be presented with the applications available for that site. After selecting an app if you do not have it installed then the Launcher will have a “Download” button available.

Pressing the “download” button will download the version of the app that is listed. After downloading or if you have the app already installed the button will change to a “Launch” button. The application is now ready to opened and used as normal.

Fig. 6: Downloading Applications

Fig. 7: Launching Applications

When .decimal releases a new version of an application the Launcher will notify you by showing you a message above the “Launch” button for that application.

Fig. 8: Update Available Warning

The Launcher it’s self will not download this update automatically. The only way to receive this new version is for your site Admin to approve this update and set it as your site’s version for this app. Instructions on how to do this can be found in the decimal Direct User Guide.

Once the application version is set in decimal Direct for your site, the decimal Launcher will enforce the download and installation of the application for all users of that site.

The decimal Launcher provides a “Sandbox” area to install new versions of applications in order to test them before Clinical release. This area is separate from all of your Clinical applications so they will not affect any patient data.

NOTE: This option will only appear for users with elevated “Physics” or higher permissions on their decimal account.

The Sandbox environment requires explicit setting of the app version for each site. This is done using decimal Direct in the Manage → Apps page. Refer to the decimal Direct User Guide for more information.

Once the Sandbox app version is set, it will appear in the decimal Launcher

To switch the Launcher to Sandbox mode click the dropdown menu in the top bar and select “Switch to Sandbox mode”.

Fig. 9: Switch to Sandbox Mode

When you switch over to Sandbox mode you will notice the Launcher has a different look to clearly distinguish you are not opening Clinical versions of these applications. All apps opened by the Launcher while in Sandbox mode will also open in their Sandbox modes, if the app provides support for Sandbox usage.

Fig. 10: Sandbox_UI

In order to maintain the safety of our users and our applications the Launcher provides the following safeguards:

• Inactivity Timeout:
  • The application inactivity timeout is set to 1 hour. If the user performs no keyboard/mouse interactions within the application within that time period they will be automatically logged out and required to re-authenticate
• Session Timeout:
  • Once a user logs in using Auth0 the user's authentication session token is valid for 10 hours. After which they will be required to login and re-authenticate to the decimal Launcher. Any applications launched from the decimal Launcher that are using this token will need to be relaunched once the user has re-authenticated in the decimal Launcher

• If any file in the application directory is added, removed, or altered in any way the Launcher will refuse to open the app. The Launcher will then delete and reinstall the altered app. Because of this it is suggested that you do not attempt to store any files in these directories as they will be removed.
• If a critical bug or vulnerability if discovered in an existing release of any application .decimal will flag that version invalid. When the Launcher attempts to open an invalid application, it will notify the user and delete the application entirely.

This ensures binary file security to ensure that the application files are not tampered with on .decimal's server or on client work stations (via hashes and checksums).

All administrative actions such as setting app versions or adding users can be completed though the decimal Direct Admin page. For more information please refer to the decimal Direct User Guide

For questions, comments, support requests, bug reporting, or to schedule a training session, please contact our customer support team at: 1-800-255-1613

The following requirements are needed to be met prior to running the decimal Launcher.

Note: decimal Launcher is a lightweight ElectronJS application and does not require moderate hardware resources. But the applications it installs and manages could require much more substantial resources. Refer to each app's individual userguide for it's specific hardware system requirements.

1. The decimal Launcher uses Auth0 via decimal Direct's API for user credential management (i.e.: login authentication). As such, the Auth0 IP address(es) may need to be whitelisted in order for users to be able to login and authenticate with the secure Auth0 servers. While .decimal's applications use the decimal Direct API to authenticate, the decimal Launcher uses Auth0 connections to provide the login page and pull Auth0 tenant information. The Auth0 whitelist documentation provides details on the Outbound and Inbound firewall settings.
2. The decimal Launcher uses decimal Direct to manage site, user, and application permissions. As such, the decimal direct IP address 64.128.252.104 port 443 must be whitelisted for the decimal Launcher to pull user, site, and application permissions.

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