This guide details the process of setting up access to PPS Hosted on a Mac for the first time.
Once this initial set-up is done you will be able to quickly access your Hosted system anywhere with an internet connection from your device.
Section 1 - The Microsoft Remote Desktop Application
In order to access your PPS Hosted system, you will need to install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app, or Windows App since the name change in September 2024.
This is a free app that you can download from the app store on your Mac. You will need to ensure that your version of Mac OSX is compatible with the latest version of the app.
You should also check the Online System Requirements to ensure that you will be able to connect to the hosted server.
Section 2 - Login Details
You will receive an email, sent to the email address registered to your account, containing the new login details to allow you to connect to the new server. This email will contain two attachments, one containing your new login details in a text document and the other containing the link to download your pre-configured RDP that can be used to connect on a Windows PC only.
Download the text file from the email and open it to access your usernames and passwords.
Section 3 - Setting up your PPS Hosted Connection
a. Open up the app. If it's your first time accessing the app choose the + icon in the corner of the screen and choose Add PC.
b. Then, in the PC name field enter the details of the server provided to you in the email containing your account details. This will be in the format of [yourppsregistrationnumber].ppshosted.com
c. Under Credentials select Add Credentials and enter the username that was sent to you in your Hosted credentials email. The username will begin with ppshosted\5*****-user*
You can give the connection a Friendly Name that you can use to identify it should you set up multiple remote connections on this machine. Choose Add.
Tip: In this screen, you have the option to save your credentials but you will not be able to save passwords for the connections to the server. This has been done for security reasons to keep your data secure. We have set the passwords up as simple to remember 4-word passphrases but you are able to reset the passwords too. Instructions on resetting passwords can be found in this guide.
d. Next, in the General section select the drop-down menu from the Gateway and choose Add Gateway.
In the Add a Gateway screen enter the Gateway Name as securegate.ppshosted.com
Choose the Credentials you set up earlier and confirm the Friendly Name, if required. Choose Add.
f. Finally, select Add on the Add PC screen.
g. Now, on the main screen on the app you'll find your remote desktop connection which you can double click to connect to PPS Hosted.