Cloud Storage
Save plans to the cloud, share them across devices, manage versions, and prevent concurrent edits.
What this is for
Cloud Storage is how MyHaccpPlan keeps your plans available across devices, with full version history and protection against simultaneous edits by two users. Plans are stored on S3-compatible storage on a per-customer basis: regular users see only their own customer’s plans, admins can switch between customers.
Three things happen automatically when you save a plan to the cloud:
- Versioning — every save creates a snapshot you can restore later.
- Locking — the plan is locked to your session, preventing another user from editing it concurrently.
- Asset packaging — images embedded in the plan (cover, allergen sections, etc.) are bundled into a
.hplnZIP and uploaded together.
The cloud browser is reachable from the Dashboard, the File menu, and the cloud icon in the header.
Common tasks
How to save a plan to the cloud
- With a plan open, click File → Save to cloud (or use the cloud icon in the header).
- The save modal opens, pre-filled with the plan name and version.
- Click Save.
The plan is uploaded as a .hpln package. A new version is automatically created (the previous cloud version is preserved in the history).
How to load a plan from the cloud
- From the Dashboard, click Cloud plans, or in-app, File → Open from cloud.
- The plan list appears.
- (Admins) Pick a customer.
- Click a plan to load.
The plan downloads and opens in the editor.
How to view and restore previous versions
- Open the cloud browser.
- Click the History (clock) icon next to a plan.
- The version list appears, with each version’s timestamp and saver.
- Click any version to Preview or Restore.
Restoring brings the chosen version back as the current cloud copy. The previous current version becomes a regular history entry.
How to delete a plan
- In the cloud browser, hover the plan row.
- Click the trash icon.
- Confirm.
The plan and all its versions are permanently deleted from the cloud. (Local copies in browsers are not deleted.)
Warning: Deletion is permanent. Use Archived plans (admin) to soft-delete instead — archived plans can be restored.
How to handle plan locks
When you load a plan, the system tries to acquire a lock so no one else can edit it concurrently. If the plan is already locked by another user:
- The plan opens in read-only mode.
- A banner shows who has the lock and when it was last refreshed.
- Wait for the lock to be released (the holder needs to close the plan, or the lock auto-expires after inactivity).
If the lock looks stuck (someone left the tab open and walked away), an admin can release it from the Admin panel.
How to handle “plan changed in another tab” warnings
If you save the plan locally while another save is in flight to the cloud, you may see a version conflict warning. Resolve by:
- Reload the plan from the cloud (loses your local changes), or
- Save with a new name (preserves both versions).
Screen reference
Cloud browser
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Customer dropdown | Admins only — pick which customer’s plans to show. |
| Plan list | Each row: plan name, version, last update, status icons (locked, signed). |
| Save to cloud | Available when a plan is open. |
| History icon | Per-plan; opens version list. |
| Trash icon | Per-plan; permanent delete. |
Save modal
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Plan name | Pre-filled from the plan metadata. |
| Version | Pre-filled, editable. |
| Save | Uploads. |
| Cancel | Closes without saving. |
Version history
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Timestamp | When the version was saved. |
| Saver | Who saved it (their email). |
| Size | Approximate .hpln size. |
| Preview | Loads the version into a temporary view (no overwrite). |
| Restore | Brings the version back as the current cloud copy. |
Lock banner (read-only mode)
Shown if the plan is locked by another user. Includes their name and lock time.
FAQs
Where are my plans actually stored? On Datahex’s S3-compatible cloud storage, encrypted at rest. Each customer has its own folder; only that customer’s users (and Datahex super admins) can read or write.
How many versions are kept? All of them, by default. Datahex super admins may apply retention policies on very large customers — ask your account manager.
Can two users edit the same plan at the same time? No — the lock prevents that. The first user to load gets the lock; others see read-only. This is intentional: HACCP plans need a single authoritative editor at a time.
The lock seems stuck after I closed my browser. Locks auto-expire after a period of inactivity (heartbeat-based). If you’re impatient, ask an admin to force-release it from the Admin panel.
Why does saving sometimes take a while?
Plans with many embedded images (allergen sections, plant schematic backgrounds) can grow large. The cloud upload sends the full .hpln package each time. Trim image sizes and clear unused assets to speed it up.
Can I export a plan from the cloud as a .hpln file?
Yes — load it, then File → Export to download it as .hpln.
Can I share a plan with someone outside my customer organization? Use the Signature & Review flow to create a public read-only share link. For full editing access, that person would need an account on your customer’s organization.