An M-Files system is composed of 1) a server computer (or multiple servers) running the M-Files Server component and containing the document vault or vaults, and of 2) M-Files clients used for displaying and editing the vault-stored information via the end-users' computers or mobile devices.
You can access document vaults 1) by installing M-Files Desktop on your desktop or laptop, 2) via any web browser (M-Files Web), or 3) with the M-Files mobile apps for iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices.
M-Files clients (on the left) are used for accessing M-Files Server (in the center), which manages the document vaults (on the right).
The image above offers a high-level description of the M-Files system: the clients (M-Files Desktop, M-Files Web, or any of the M-Files mobile applications) on the left are used for accessing the server computer (center of the image), which in turn manages one or more document vaults (on the right). Alternatively, M-Files Server and the document vaults may be located on a cloud-based server (see Deployment Options for M-Files Server).
You can edit server settings and the document vault structure with M-Files Admin. With M-Files Desktop Settings, you can add, remove and edit vault connections. For more information about using M-Files Web and the mobile applications, see the topics M-Files Web and Mobile Apps.
The M-Files server can be set up on-premises, in the cloud, or as a hybrid deployment, the latter combining the advantages of on-premises and cloud-based systems. Refer to Deployment Options for M-Files Server for more information.