Sync Traffic Control

In this article

• Enable Sync Traffic Control
• Modify Sync Traffic Control Settings
• Sync Traffic Control in Project Central
• Sync Traffic Control for End Users

Sync times are critical for firms when trying to limit downtime. It can be difficult to train users in the importance of syncing files regularly and having them keep to it. Sync Traffic Control allows Administrators to prevent sync conflicts and decrease downtime.

This is done in two significant ways: allowing Admins to keep track of user sync behavior and creating tailored sync reminders. This feature also has protections that can prevent users from trying to sync a file at the same time as another user.

Enable Sync Traffic Control

To start using Guardian’s Sync Traffic Control, it must first be turned on within the Project Configuration that is assigned to the project model. As with all Project Configuration settings, Sync Traffic Control can be modified on a project-by-project basis within Project Settings.

Modify Sync Traffic Control Settings

The settings can be modified by selecting the cog icon. The settings dialog is divided into two sections. The upper settings are to prevent sync conflicts, while the bottom settings are for sync reminders.

Protection Mode

For sync conflict prevention, a Monitor, Guide, or Prevent Protection Mode (A) can be set. The Protection Mode for Sync Traffic Control works differently from Guardian’s other proactive protections.

• ‍Monitor: The Revit end user will continue utilizing Revit’s native Synchronize with Central function. The Monitor mode helps BIM Managers and Digital Design Leaders gain insights into how frequent sync conflicts are happening, providing guidance if proactive sync conflict prevention is warranted. ‍
• Guide: As the Revit end user goes to execute Synchronize with Central, Guardian will check if others are syncing, and, if none are, a dialog will be displayed for the user to Sync with Central. If another user is syncing, a customized Command Message will be displayed stating so. At which point, the user will have three options:
  1. The user can select Snooze to be reminded to sync when the users ahead of them have completed their Sync with Central.
  2. The user can select Cancel and exit the sync completely. They will not be reminded to sync when others have completed their Sync with Central.
  3. The user can select Synchronize, but this will induce a sync conflict with the other users.‍
• Prevent: When a sync conflict is detected, the user will get the same Command Messages as with the Guide Protection Mode and will have the ability to select Snooze or Cancel. However, the user will not be permitted to select Synchronize unless they have the Administrator-provided password.

As with all of Guardian’s other proactive protections, a Send Email, Require Comment, and custom Command Message can be set.

Reminders

Selecting the checkbox (B), the Guardian sync reminders will appear to users instead of the standard Revit sync reminders.

Once turned on, an initial reminder time can be set for 2 hours, 1 hour, 30 minutes, 10 minutes, or 5 minutes. After which, the length and the number of snooze reminders can be customized. Up to four snooze reminders can be added.

For the last snooze reminder, it will repeat indefinitely if the end user does not Sync with Central unless one of the two options, or both, are selected (C).

• ‍Automatically synchronize after the last reminder times out: Guardian will automatically synchronize a file if the last reminder times out. The last reminder is the one that appears when the last set time interval comes up. This is a useful feature for users who are away from their machine for an extended period of time.‍
• Prevent users from snoozing the last reminder: When the last reminder occurs, the Snooze option will be disabled, and the user will be required to synchronize the file before continuing. The reminder can be snoozed if a password is entered.‍
• Enable the ‘Compact model’ option after X syncs: In the synchronize dialog, the Compact model option will automatically be enabled after a specified number of syncs have occurred.

The last option (D) is the ability to set how long the reminder and queue prompts will stay active before timing out.

Sync Traffic Control in Project Central

Administrators can monitor user sync activity for any registered workshared file through Project Central in the Sync Traffic Control tab. This tab is updated in real-time so Administrators can see the active users in the project model along with critical information about their sync activities.

Project Administrators can select a user within the dialog and click Remind to sync to send a sync reminder to that user. When multiple users have been placed in the sync queue, Administrators can use the Move to front button to move users up in the queue. Please note, a queue forms when multiple users’ status is shown as “In Queue”.

The history of syncs by users can also be seen in Project Central under the Timeline: Project Sessions tab. The black vertical dots in the timeline indicate when the user synced last.

Sync Traffic Control for End Users

When the Sync with Central command is executed, Guardian will check if other users are syncing. When nobody else is syncing, the following dialog will appear to prompt the user to sync. There is a two-minute countdown after which Guardian will automatically start syncing. By default, Guardian will preselect all of the advanced options.

When someone has the sync dialog open

This dialog appears when it is someone else’s turn in the queue, and they’re in the process of beginning to sync. Selecting Cancel will add the user to the queue, and they will receive a reminder when it is their turn to sync.

When someone is already syncing

When the Sync with Central command is executed, Guardian provides a notification that another user is currently syncing. Because the Protection Mode is set to Prevent, the user would have to enter an Administrator-provided password to continue to sync, encouraging the user to select Add to Queue.

When users haven’t synced in a while

The user is reminded to Sync with Central where they can select Synchronize or Snooze, if available. Reminders, based on active time in the project, will ask users to sync only when the queue is free.