What if my agency does not currently use Parallels to access HawkSoft?

The new online environment provides access to HawkSoft via a published app on your local device (Parallels RAS) rather than providing a secondary desktop through remote desktop technology (RDP). While the majority of HawkSoft Online customers have been using Parallels to access HawkSoft since 2018, some agencies may have opted to continue using RDP technology. However, the new online environment will require the use of Parallels to access HawkSoft. This provides many benefits, including:

• A single desktop experience through Parallels, rather than a secondary remote desktop
• Access to HawkSoft from a shortcut icon on your local device
• Direct two-way drag and drop functionality

As communicated in 2018, the use of Parallels technology will incur an additional charge of $5/month per user ($5.15 for those paying by credit card). This charge covers the Parallels license fees and is not a price increase by HawkSoft. The charge will be added to your HawkSoft invoices once your agency has been transitioned to the new Azure environment.

If for any reason your agency wishes to continue using a second desktop rather than the published app experience (e.g. for use on thin clients), please let your transition specialist know. We will work with you to set up a remote secondary desktop experience via Parallels (the additional $5/month/user charge will still be incurred).

While this may be a slight change for your agency, we assure you this newer technology from Parallels and Azure will provide stronger security, more reliable connectivity, and better efficiency for your agency as you use HawkSoft Online. 

What is the process for this transition? 

Please be aware that some action will be required by your agency to transition all users onto the new solution. We plan to move a select number of agencies onto the new online environment each week over the next several months. HawkSoft will handle all communication with and support for the agency during the transition. You will receive email communications throughout the transition to instruct you during each step of the process.

Several weeks before transition

• The main contacts for your agency will receive an email with the transition date and user list for the agency.
• Your agency will confirm the transition date and user list or provide any needed changes.
• Our hosting partner will create profiles for your agency's users on the new online environment.

One week before transition

• The transition specialist will send your agency instructions for creating new Parallels connections with new usernames and passwords for the new online environment. 

One day before transition

• The transition specialist will confirm that all accounts are set up correctly for your agency in the new environment. 
• Our online hosting partner will move your agency's data to the new online server location (this will be done after hours and should not entail any downtime for your agency). 
  

Day of transition

• The transition specialist will contact your agency to confirm all users are successfully connected to the online environment and assist with any issues. Logging into the new environment on your transition date will be quick and should not entail downtime for your agency if the necessary steps have been completed beforehand.
• Once all users are successfully connected to the new environment, they may delete their previous Parallels connections to the old environment. 

Instructions: Create new Parallels connections for all users

Your agency must create new Parallels connections for each user on the new online environment. Do not complete this step until you have been instructed by your transition specialist; it cannot be completed until our online hosting partner has created profiles for your users. You will receive an email when it is time for your users to complete this process. 

The new connection will not be live until your transition date, and you will continue to use your current connection until then. Do not edit or delete your current connection until after your transition date. After you have successfully logged into the new environment on your transition date, you may delete the previous connection. 

See the following links for instructions on creating a new Parallels connection on each type of device, and use the new server address, usernames, and temporary password provided in the email you receive. 

• Instructions for Microsoft Windows devices
• Instructions for Apple (iOS) devices
• Instructions for Android devices
• Instructions for Chrome OS devices

Note to agencies not currently using Parallels:
These instructions were created for the majority of HawkSoft Online users, who already use Parallels to access HawkSoft. Because your agency does not currently use Parallels, some steps may be slightly different (such as those on deleting the previous Parallels connection after your transition date). Please let us know if you have any questions.

We’re here to help 

HawkSoft has dedicated transition specialists for this project. Feel free to contact them at HSOTransition@hawksoft.com if you have questions or need assistance. We want this transition to be as smooth and painless as possible for your agency, and we’re excited to provide you with an improved online experience!