Install the Direct Link client

Note

You must have Administrator rights on the desktop computer or server where you are installing the Direct Link client.

The procedure below installs the Direct Link client for use with Analytics or Analytics Exchange.

You use the same procedure to upgrade the Direct Link client from version 6.1 or 7.0 to 8. To upgrade from version 7.5, see Upgrade the Direct Link client.

Note

IT administrators can also install Direct Link silently, without requiring user interaction. For more information, see Installing the Direct Link client using silent installation.

Installation steps

Make a backup copy of SAP connection settings

Optional. Make a backup copy of the SAP RFC library file (saprfc.ini or sapnwrfc.ini), which contains SAP connection settings.

The SAP RFC library file is in the same folder as the Direct Link application file.

Tip

If required, you can copy SAP connection information from the backup .ini file to the new sapnwrfc.ini file created by the Direct Link installer.

Uninstall older versions of Direct Link

If you are upgrading from Direct Link client version 6.1 or 7.0, uninstall that version of the software.

If you are upgrading from version 7.5, see Upgrade the Direct Link client.

Download the installer and begin the installation

  1. Download the Direct Link installation package (DirectLinkV802.exe) to the computer or server on which Analytics or Analytics Exchange is installed.

    You download the installation package from Launchpad (www.highbond.com). Your company’s can also supply other users with the installation package.

  2. Close all other Windows applications.
  3. Double-click the installation package.
  4. If a security warning dialog box appears, verify the information listed, and click Yes.

Extract the installation files

  1. In the Location to Save Files page, specify the folder where the installation files will be extracted, and click Next.

    You can click Change to select a folder, or accept the default location:

    C:\Program Files (x86)\DirectLinkV802 or C:\Program Files\DirectLinkV802

    The setup files are extracted to the destination folder you specified. After the files are extracted the installer starts automatically.

    Note

    If the installer fails to start automatically for any reason, you can use Windows Explorer to navigate to the folder where the setup files were extracted and double-click setup.exe.

  2. If you are reinstalling the Direct Link client and the Overwrite Protection dialog box appears, click Yes to All.

Install prerequisites, if required

If you are prompted to install prerequisites, click Install.

The only prerequisite you may have to install is Microsoft Visual C++. For more information, see Installation prerequisites.

Perform the main Direct Link installation

  1. In the Welcome page, click Next.
  2. In the License Agreement page, select I accept the terms in the license agreement and click Next.
  3. In the Destination Folder page, accept the default location where the Direct Link client will be installed and click Next.

    The default location is:

    C:\Program Files (x86)\ACL Software\Direct Link\ or C:\Program Files\ACL Software\Direct Link\

    If necessary, click Change to modify the installation location.

  4. If the Location of SAP Logon configuration file page appears, do the following:
    1. Click Change and navigate to the location of the folder containing SAPUILandscape.xml or saplogon.ini.
    2. Select the folder and click OK.
    3. Click Next.

    Note

    You cannot install Direct Link if you do not have an SAP configuration file already installed as part of the SAP GUI.

  5. In the Ready to Install the Program page, click Install.

    The Direct Link client is installed, or upgraded.

  6. When the installation process completes, click Finish.

    The prompt You must restart your system appears.

  7. Click Yes to automatically restart your computer right away, or click No if you want to manually restart your computer later.

    Caution

    Do not ignore the message to restart your computer.

    If you do not restart your computer, Direct Link may not function correctly.