Initializing help system before first use

# Development and Production Modes

FICO® Xpress Insight can run in one of two configurations: Development mode or production mode.
When initially installed, Xpress Insight defaults to operate in development mode.

- Development mode allows local accounts and can be used for non-production environments, such as development and QA, and while evaluating Xpress Insight. IdP (Identity Provider) integration is available in development mode using SAML 2.0.
- Production mode should be used for operational installations. When this mode is enabled, SAML authentication is required and local accounts are disabled. All user administration functions are handled by the IdP.

## Production Mode

Before you enable Production Mode:

- The Insight Server must be configured to use https. For more, see Securing Xpress Insight 5.
- SAML 2.0 must be enabled.
- MySQL persistence must be enabled before Production Mode can be enabled.

Note: Putting the Server into Production mode or enabling SSO will deactivate Local Authentication.

## Enabling Production Mode

Xpress Insight 5 uses an `application.properties` file to manage some application settings and register the location of certain files. For more on the application properties file, see the Xpress Insight Administration Guide.
Note: This file is located in the appropriate <SERVER_CONFIG_DIR> for your OS. (For more information, see Finding Configuration Files.)

There is also the option to change the text displayed on the Xpress Insight application banner. By default, this label is set to Development when first installed, but will be blank if you enable Production mode. Editing this label value can help users differentiate between multiple environments.

## To Enable Production mode:

1. Navigate to and open the `application.properties` file in a suitable text editor.
2. Locate the following line:

       insight.server.system.environment.type=development

3. Edit the line to read as follows:

       insight.server.system.environment.type=production

4. To edit the Xpress Insight banner label, edit the following line:

       insight.server.system.environment.label=<My New Environment Name>

5. Select and configure your Data Storage method:
   - Use the native File System of your operating system for data storage: The supporting data files for the program are installed in `C:\ProgramData\FICO\XpressInsight`. The windows operating system hides this folder by default. Also, this location may be controlled by your IT department that may specify a different folder for program data.
   - The full release will allow using an installed copy of MySQL v8.x with vendor support or above for data storage.
6. Configure User Authentication. For more, see Authentication using an Identity Provider (IdP).
7. Enable the Admin user. At least one user must be granted Xpress Insight Admin rights in the IdP. Any user who requires access to all authority groups must be given the superuser attribute. For more on Authority Groups, see Managing Authority Groups.

## Development Mode

Xpress Insight defaults to Development mode on installation. Development mode allows you to have either local user accounts or you can enable SSO to manage your user administration. Enabling SSO in Development mode will disable Local Authorization.

If you are deploying a local copy of Xpress Insight in Development mode, complete the following steps:

1. Select and configure your Data Storage method:
   - Use the native File System of your operating system for data storage: The supporting data files for the program are installed in `C:\ProgramData\FICO\XpressInsight`. The Windows operating system hides this folder by default. Also, this folder may be controlled by your IT department that may specify a different folder for program data.
   - You can also configure an installed copy of MySQL v8.x with vendor support or above for data storage.
2. Select your user authentication method:
   - If you are in Development mode and want to use Local User authentication, see Authenticating using Local Account.

   - If you wish to use SAML authentication, whether you are in Developer or Production mode, see Authentication using an Identity Provider (IdP). FICO recommends you use SAML for user authentication.

Parent Topic Configuring Xpress Insight

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