Cloud Settings Sync
When cloud backup is part of your plan, HandyCafe also keeps a copy of your server settings in the cloud. There is no separate switch. Every time you save a setting, the new settings go up. If the server is reinstalled or replaced, the settings can be brought back section by section.
This is separate from the database backup. A database backup holds members, sessions, sales and every other record. A settings snapshot holds only the configuration: pricing, client menu, printers, maintenance schedules and similar. For database backups see Cloud Backup & Sync.
Requirements
- Cloud settings sync runs only when your plan includes cloud backup. It uses the same entitlement as the database backup.
- The server must be able to reach HandyCafe Cloud. Changes made while offline are queued and sent when the connection returns.
- Restoring a snapshot requires an Admin cashier. The one exception is first setup, where no admin exists yet.
How Syncing Works
- On every save. When you save settings, HandyCafe uploads the new settings document in the background.
- Every minute. A background check compares the current settings with the last upload. It catches changes that do not go through the Save button, such as the maintenance and backup schedules. Nothing is sent when nothing changed.
- On every start. About 45 seconds after the server starts, it uploads a snapshot even if nothing changed. Every start of the server leaves a snapshot.
- When offline. A failed upload is queued. HandyCafe tries again on the next check.
What is stored in the cloud
The cloud keeps one snapshot per day. A later save on the same day replaces that day's snapshot. Snapshots older than 10 days are removed. The newest snapshot is always kept.
What never leaves this computer
Some values belong to this machine and are never uploaded or restored:
- the connection key
- the network binding
- the admin password
- the money scale
- disk protection passwords
- license tokens, encryption keys and local folder paths
The cloud also refuses an upload that contains any of these.
Sections
A snapshot is divided into sections. When you restore, you choose which sections to bring over. Anything you leave out keeps its current value.
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Pricing and tariffs | Tariffs, pricing groups, equipment and member pricing. |
| Pricing schedule | The weekly pricing calendar. |
| Client menu and appearance | Client menu, appearance and client-side security. |
| Sessions and notifications | Session behaviour, notifications, sounds and the operator's view. |
| Cafeteria and payments | Cafeteria, printers and payment methods. |
| Cafe and system | Cafe identity, regional values, logging and reporting. |
| Console power | Console power management. |
| Remote management | Remote management settings. |
| Maintenance and backup schedule | Database maintenance, local backup schedule, log retention and the cloud backup schedule. |
Gateway configuration
If this server manages a HandyCafe Gateway, the snapshot also carries the gateway's configuration: lines, LAN, firewall, DHCP, speed limits, the portal, filtering and UPnP. The gateway's address and username travel with it. The gateway password never does. A cafe without a gateway sends no gateway data.
The Restore settings dialog on the Cloud page does not list the gateway configuration as a section.
Where to Find It
Sync badge in the status bar
The status bar at the bottom of the main window shows where the settings stand with the cloud:
| Badge | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Synced with a time | The last save reached the cloud at that time. |
| Not uploaded yet | No settings upload has completed on this server. |
| Saving to cloud | An upload is running. |
| Waiting for connection with Try again | The last upload failed and is queued. Click the badge to retry now. |
The badge is hidden when your plan does not include cloud backup.
Settings snapshots on the Cloud page
- Open Cloud.
- Select the Backup & Sync tab.
- Scroll to Settings snapshots, below Cloud backups.
The header shows a Live pill and a refresh button. Below it, Last upload shows when the settings last reached the cloud.
Each row in the list shows:
- the date and time of the snapshot
- a Live pill on the newest row
- the name of the computer that uploaded it
- which sections changed in that snapshot
A snapshot in which nothing changed reads No changes. The list shows eight rows at first. Press Show more to see more.
Restore offer during first setup
When you install HandyCafe on a new machine, first setup checks whether this cafe already has settings in the cloud. If it does, a Load settings from cloud step appears right after you create the admin account. It reads: "We found saved settings for this cafe. Pick the one you want to start from."
The step is not shown when there are no snapshots. It is also skipped when the cloud cannot be reached.
Step by Step
Restore chosen sections from the Cloud page
- Open Cloud and select the Backup & Sync tab.
- In Settings snapshots, find the snapshot you want. The changed sections on each row help you find the right one.
- Press Restore on that row.
- In the Restore settings dialog, every section in the snapshot is switched on. Turn off the sections you want to keep as they are. Select all and Clear switch every section at once.
- Read the note under Not restored on this computer.
- Press Restore.
The selected sections are replaced and saved. A confirmation reads Settings restored. Only the settings change. The database is not touched and the application does not restart.
Start a new install from a snapshot
- Run first setup and create the admin account.
- On Load settings from cloud, the newest snapshot is already selected. Pick another row if you want an older one.
- Press Load settings.
Every section in the chosen snapshot is applied. To start with defaults instead, pick Set everything up from scratch or press Skip. You can restore later from the Cloud page.
Back up the database on every start
This option belongs to the database backup, not the settings snapshots. It sits on the same tab.
- Open Cloud and select the Backup & Sync tab.
- Turn on Enable automatic cloud backup.
- Turn on Back up on every start.
- Press Save.
The server then takes a full database backup about three minutes after each start, on top of the schedule. It is off by default.
Permissions
- The Cloud page needs the Cloud page permission.
- The Restore button on a settings snapshot is shown to Admin cashiers only.
Troubleshooting
The badge says Waiting for connection. The last upload did not reach the cloud. Check the internet connection and the Live Link. Then click the badge to try again.
No settings snapshots yet. No upload has completed. Save any setting. Restarting the server also triggers an upload after about 45 seconds.
The Load settings from cloud step did not appear during setup. Either the cafe has no snapshots in the cloud, the plan does not include cloud backup or the cloud could not be reached. Finish setup and restore later from the Cloud page.