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Why aren’t some file types suitable to open via MyWorkDrive?
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Why can’t I open certain file types (such as Databases, PSTs, Accounting systems and the like) work via MyWorkDrive?
A number of file types are not well suited to remote access programs like MyWorkDrive or VPN because their connection methods were designed for always on local access, or at most SMB protocal on a LAN. They were not designed for slow, high latency connections such as the Internet or VPN, and were not designed to be converted/transmitted via HTTPS the way MyWorkDrive does (pulling from the sever on demand; not storing files locally in anticipation of access), nor being subjected to the types of packet inspection HTTPS is subjected to by firewalls, WAFs and endpoint security.
The average home internet bandwidth in the US is approx 100mb/s of download and 20mb/s of upload, not accounting for ping time latency and vulnerability scans at each hop. Where as the typical office lan is 1000mb/s each direction – with no hops and minimal scanning. Programs designed to expect an immediate response with very short timeouts will not function well with long waits, deep scans and packet interruptions when only given 1/10th their expected connection, at best.
Files like Databases, large media files, design files and the like should be accessed via the author’s approved networking methods or via a Remote Desktop session – not via MyWorkDrive. Our default block list (when optionally enabled) specifically includes Quickbooks, Access, and PST files for exactly that reason.
Some applications to specifically avoid opening over MyWorkDrive include:
Quickbooks
https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/product-system-requirements/recommended-networks-quickbooks/
https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2081684-does-quickbooks-2018-support-vpn-connection
Photoshop / Adobe Creative
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/networks-removable-media-photoshop.html
Autodesk / Autocad
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/vpn-and-working-remotely-questions/td-p/6335855
Microsoft Access
The Legacy sharing feature in uses a peer to peer sharing method between Excel users. MyWorkDrive does not support this type of sharing (as the files are moved to the user’s workspace in memory and are not edited on the server.
MyWorkDrive does support co-editing/co-authoring via Office Online using Office 365 or Office Online Local Server.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/about-the-shared-workbook-feature-49b833c0-873b-48d8-8bf2-c1c59a628534
(not to be confused with co-editing/co-authoring via Office365, which is fully supported in the Web client, iOS/Android and Windows Client)
Note that Microsoft has intentionally hidden the Shared Workbook feature in Excel to prioritize Office 365 co-editing.
Also of note, MyWorkDrive supports co-editing in Office 365 from the Map Drive clients, when Edit in Office Online is enabled, using the “Open in co-edit mode” option in the context menu (right click)
Outlook PST Files
In general, if it is a multi-user database product, or a product that uses a large number of reference files, the files should not be stored on a Share in MyWorkDrive and opened remotely by clients. Please refer to the original software author for networking best practices for the product.
