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TharsternSQL
Hardware Specification
(Last
updated 091124TK) |
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Package |
TharsternSQL |
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License Method |
·
Generally User
based unless described otherwise
•
Licensing of users is controlled via a software licence file and a
physical dongle attached via a USB dongle on the Server. |
|
Modules |
Commercials Suite:
o
Estimating
o
Job
Costing
o
Purchase Order Processing (POP)
o
Raw
Material Stock Control
Production Suite:
o
Production Scheduling
o
Shop
Floor Intranet Data Collection (IDC)
o
JDF
Workflow Connector
Fulfilment Suite:
o
Sales
Order Processing with Forms Management (SOP)
o
Warehousing & Kitting or “Stock Extra” (W&K)
o
Barcode Stock Control
Outsourcing
o
Print
Management
e-Commerce
o
e4Print: Base; Ordering; Tracking; Quick Quotes; Sales Online
o
Variable Data (Artwork Template Builder)
Connections
o
Accounts Link
o
CRM
Link |
|
Third
Party
Products |
·
Accounts:
Integrates seamlessly with:
§
Sage
Line 50 (v10, v11, v12)
§
Sage
AccPac
§
GP
Dynamics (Microsoft Great Plains)
§
Other
SQL solutions on qualification
Batch
integration with:
§
MYOB
§
Other
solutions on qualification
·
Reporting:
Uses Crystal Report Writer, v9, v10, v11, 2008
·
Microsoft Office Pro:
Microsoft Word used for documents such as quotes, letters, job bags etc.
Microsoft Access used for Cost Rate Manager.
·
Microsoft Internet Explorer:
E4print and Shop Floor Intranet Data Capture v6 or above.
·
Microsoft Outlook:
For
emailing of documents
·
MBSA:
Microsoft Baseline Security AnalySer for E4print.
·
PDFLib
or Web4Print: Used
for online proof editing via E4print.
·
Virus
Scanner Software.
Note:
Third party tools are not provided and must be purchased separately. |
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Database |
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 / 2005 / 2008 Standard Edition.
Authentication set to both types. Users must be set up belonging to a
TharsternSQL user group with this group having access to the
TharsternSQL database. |
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Client Connection |
ODBC |
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Notes |
·
The
installation of TharsternSQL is not an auto-install package and requires
that TharsternSQL is configured to set data requirements
enabling the functionality and operation of each module. This
information is provided as a guideline only. The final specification for
any hardware and related Operating System and Third Party software
should be presented by the customers IT and Networking consultant, to
Tharstern NZ for approval, prior to the purchase and installation of the
necessary network; and prior to the installation of the first day of the
TharsternSQL installation and training. |
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2. Summary of
Individual Module Requirements: |
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Installation Type Definitions:
|
|
Standard |
·
Refers to a basic installation of TharsternSQL covering most modules. |
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Non-Standard |
·
A
more complex setup that requires additional software to be installed and
licensed as part of the installation of this module. |
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£
Commercials Suite:
Estimating, Job Costing, Purchase Order Processing, Raw Material Stock
Control |
|
License Method |
·
User
based, concurrent.
·
Supplied as individual user licenses.
·
Licensing of users is controlled via a software licence file and a
physical dongle attached via a parallel port on the Server. |
|
Dependencies |
·
The
Commercials Suite can run as a stand alone package, or integrate with
the other modules of TharsternSQL including the third party products
outlined in this document. |
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Prerequisites |
·
Hardware/Software:See Point 4.1 for all modules. For Production
Scheduling refer below. |
|
Installation
Type |
·
Standard installation of TharsternSQL. |
|
Notes |
·
A
minimum of one mapped drive is required. ‘T:’ points to a TharsternSQL
directory where files are installed.
·
If
integrating with Sage Accounts, “S:” points to Sage.
·
Universal Naming Convention (UNC) of drive letters not supported by
Sage products. |
|
£
Production Scheduling |
|
Licence
Method |
·
Terminal licence installed with the Production Suite.
·
Licensing of users is controlled via a software licence file and a
physical dongle attached via a parallel port on the Server. |
|
Dependencies |
·
Dependent upon Job Costing being installed as a minimum.
·
Option: Commonly installed with the IDC module. |
|
Prerequisites |
·
Hardware/Software: See Point 4.2 |
|
Installation
Type |
·
Standard |
|
Notes |
·
Currently, only one nominated user in Production Scheduling can make
amendments. Subsequent users view a read only version. |
|
£
Sales Order Processing with Forms
Management (SOP) |
|
Licence Method |
·
User
based, dependent upon the number of base Commercials Suite Users.
·
Installs as part of the Fulfilment Suite |
|
Dependencies |
·
SOP
can run as a stand alone package, or integrate with the other modules of
TharsternSQL. |
|
Prerequisites |
·
Hardware/Software: See Point 4.1 |
|
Installation
Type |
·
Standard installation of TharsternSQL. |
|
£
Shop Floor Intranet Data
Capture (IDC) |
|
Licence Method |
·
Terminal based.
·
Terminal licences are controlled via a software licence file.
·
Installs as part of the Production Suite. |
|
Dependencies |
·
Dependent upon Job Costing being installed as a minimum.
·
Option: Commonly installed with the Production Scheduling module. |
|
Prerequisites |
·
Hardware/Software: See Point 4.3 |
|
Installation
Type |
·
Non-standard |
|
Notes |
·
Because of the nature of this module, an Intranet has to be set up on
the server. Each client must have Microsoft Internet Explorer 6+ or
above. |
|
£
Print Management |
|
Licence Method |
·
User
based, dependent upon the number of base Commercials Suite Users.
·
Installs as the Outsourcing Suite |
|
Dependencies |
·
Dependent upon Estimating and Job Costing being installed as a minimum.
|
|
Prerequisites |
·
Hardware/Software: See Point 4.1 |
|
Installation Type |
·
Standard installation of TharsternSQL. |
|
£
e4Print |
|
Dependencies |
·
Dependent upon SOP being installed as a minimum.
·
Can
integrate directly with the estimating module.
·
Installs as part of the e-Commerce Suite |
|
Prerequisites |
·
Hardware: See TharsternSQL Hardware Requirements Section 4. Always
requires a separate Web & FTP server with appropriate Windows components
installed. Interacts with a firewall to the Internet. Sits outside the
DMZ (De-Militarised Zone).
·
Software:
Server Microsoft SQL Server 2000, 2005 or 2008 Standard Edition with
Firewall requirements (see section 5.2). Microsoft IIS & FTP Components
· Crystal Enterprise installed. PDFLib Installed.
·
Client Microsoft Internet Explorer 6+ |
|
Installation
Type |
·
Non-standard |
|
Notes |
·
Can be
used internally through an Intranet setup.
·
Crystal Enterprise must be installed on the server to allow customers to
call off reports over the internet.
·
Separate information supplied on request for Credit Card Processing. New
processes/module due Australia and New Zealand late 2009. |
|
£
Warehousing
& Kitting or ‘Stock Extra’ (W&K) |
|
Licence Method |
·
User
based, dependent upon the number of base Commercials Suite Users. |
|
Dependencies |
·
Warehousing & Kitting integrates with the other modules of TharsternSQL. |
|
Prerequisites |
·
Hardware: See TharsternSQL Hardware Requirements Section 4
·
Software: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition, IIS6 and FTP
installed. |
|
Installation
Type |
·
Standard installation of TharsternSQL. |
|
£
Barcode Stock Management |
|
Licence Method |
·
Terminal (number of handsets) based
·
Installs as part of the Fulfilment Suite |
|
Dependencies |
·
Stock
Control installed as a minimum. |
|
Prerequisites |
·
Motorola/Symbol MC9000 Barcode Scanner
·
Motorola/Symbol AP-5131 Access Point |
|
Installation Type |
·
Standard installation of TharsternSQL. Requires site surveys. |
|
£
Cost Rate Manager |
|
Licence Method |
·
User
based.
·
User
licences are controlled via a software licence file. |
|
Dependencies |
·
Cost
Rate Manager can run as a stand alone package and uses Microsoft Access
as its database. |
|
Prerequisites |
·
Hardware: See TharsternSQL Hardware Requirements Section 4
·
Software: Microsoft Access. |
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Installation Type |
·
Non-standard |
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3. TharsternSQL Hardware Requirements: |
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IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE SPECIFICATION:
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|
|
·
This document is intended to provide minimum and recommended specifications for
client and server hardware for the TharsternSQL product suite. This is an
advisory document. Any questions regarding your particular installation should
be directed to your local Tharstern support desk. |
|
·
The
TharsternSQL Cost Rate Manager and E4print modules are excluded from this
specification. For configurations requiring Terminal Services or
Citrix, please discuss this with your hardware provider. |
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4. TharsternSQL Client
Workstations: |
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IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE SPECIFICATION:
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· The hardware requirements above are based upon the client machine running the
TharsternSQL applications identified above along with Microsoft Word, Microsoft
Outlook, Crystal Reports and a suitable antivirus product. A higher
specification machine may be required should additional applications be loaded
and used simultaneously. |
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·
The current version of TharsternSQL "T4" no longer supports
Windows 2000 Professional. This product has not been supported by Microsoft for some time
and the advent of new controls and updates to the compiler has meant that
TharsternSQL T4 will not run on this is operating system. |
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·
Although hard disk space is generally not important, a
small amount (approx 10- 20Mb) is required for the ODBC, Crystal Reports and Sentinel
Drivers to be installed. |
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4.1
Client running TharsternSQL (not including Production Scheduling): |
|
|
·
Pentium IV 3+GHz or Pentium Dual/Quad Cores 1.4+Ghz
·
512 MB Memory (Windows XP) / 2GB Memory (Windows Vista)
·
Resolution 1024 x 768 x 16Bit
·
100mbps network connection
·
Windows XP Professional SP2 / Windows Vista Business or
Ultimate Editions
·
Internet Explorer 6.0 or above
·
Microsoft Word 2000 or above |
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4.2
Client running TharsternSQL including Production Scheduling: |
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|
·
Pentium IV 3+GHz or
Pentium Dual/Quad Cores 1.4+Ghz
·
1GB Memory (Windows XP) / 2GB Memory (Windows Vista)
·
Resolution 1280 x 1024 x 16Bit
·
21” Monitor or Dual 19” Monitors
·
100mbps network connection
·
Windows XP Professional SP2 / Windows Vista Business or
Ultimate Editions
·
Internet Explorer 6.0 or above
·
Microsoft Word 2000 or
above
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4.3
Client running TharsternSQL Shop Floor Intranet Data Capture: |
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·
The only
requirements of an IDC client are that the machine is networked and capable of
running Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 6 or above. If this is possible –
regardless of the specification of the machine – then the hardware should be
suitable. |
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PC Based |
Apple Mac Based |
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·
Pentium III 450 |
·
Power PC Processor |
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·
128 Mb
·
800 X 600 @ 256 Colours
·
14”
·
10 Mbps
·
Windows 9x, 2000
·
Version 6 or above |
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4.4
NOT SUPPORTED: |
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Windows ME (Millennium Edition)
Tharstern NZ MIS Limited does not recommend the use of Windows ME in a workplace
deployment. This operating system is primarily designed for home and gaming use
and does not offer the stability and security that is required in a production
environment.
Windows 2000 Workstation and Server
These have not been supported by Microsoft for some time and the advent of new
controls and updates to the compiler has meant that TharsternSQL v4 will not
run on this is operating system.
Windows XP Home Edition / Windows Vista Home Editions
As the name suggests Windows Home Editions are designed for home and
recreational use. Many features that are required in a business environment are
not available in this operating system and as such TharsternSQL will not be
supported on this platform.
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5.
TharsternSQL Servers: |
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IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE SPECIFICATION:
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·
The
benchmarks listed below are based upon a single server system dedicated
to running the TharsternSQL MIS system. This includes the running
of the Windows 2003 Server operating system, Internet Information Server
6.0 (for Intranet only), domain security, Active Directory (on Windows
2003), IP addressing and name resolution services, file and print
services, remote access support, backup software and services,
anti-virus software and Microsoft SQL Server. The hard disk size
is based on industry experience and allows for the above applications
only and general office usage, such as storage of small text base
documents such as those created using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel
and similar products. |
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·
Additional
applications such as group collaboration services (Exchange Server), Internet
routing, email (internal or external) or faxing services will increase server
utilization. Therefore, if an organization chooses to implement such
applications, or requires storage for additional client/server applications,
additional hardware may be required. |
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·
All servers
should be configured with a disk raid array and a UPS (Uninterruptable Power
Supply) to enable the server, in the event of a power outage, to shut down in an
orderly fashion. |
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*A
switched network is one in which Ethernet switches are used instead of standard
hubs. This reduces network traffic and thus provides a faster and more
efficient network. Switches should be used to connect servers, power users and
distributed hubs together in larger networks. Full Duplex (FD) means that the
network connection, in this case between the server and hub / switch, can
receive and send data at the same time. Again this can drastically improve
performance on large, busy networks. |
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5.1
The SQL Server |
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Sizing: |
This is
affected by:
·
the total
number of users (‘sizing’); which TharsternSQL Modules are used and the server
role;
·
the type and number of other applications being
run on this server
·
and the number of users each of these use is also a major
factor as well as who supports it – do they know SQL Server?
·
The customer
may also prefer the MIS / Accounts / CRM systems isolated from other
applications. |
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Up to 30
Users: |
The
recommended server specification takes into
account the above factors and should be addressed on a customer by customer
basis. However below are some of the basic requirements
for most, if not all, TharsternSQL T4 servers: |
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|
·
Windows 2003 Server (Standard or Enterprise Edition)
including Internet Information Services 6.0
·
SQL Server 2005 (Standard or Enterprise) or SQL Server 2008
(Workgroup, Standard or Enterprise)
·
2GB RAM as a minimum and 4GB RAM is recommended for most
server systems
·
RAID5 or better is strongly recommended on most systems.
RAID1 should be considered as a minimum.
·
1gbps network connection or 100mbps network connection as a
minimum with good quality network switch
·
Remote Access for Tharstern Technical Support, preferably
by a Remote Desktop session secure with a PPTP VPN.
·
Suitable Backup and Antivirus Solution |
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30+
Users: |
Contact Tharstern. |
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5.2
Server Software |
|
|
The
server software should be Windows 2003 Server Premium Edition (comes with SQL
Server and Microsoft Exchange).
If there
are remote access requirements to consider (Terminal Services) Windows 2003
Premium will NOT allow the use of more than 2 concurrent Terminal Server
licenses. In this instance you will need to discuss your particular requirements
with your hardware provider. |
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NOT SUPPORTED: |
|
Windows NT Server 4.0
Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 |
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5.3
e4print Web Server |
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MINIMUM |
Windows Web Server |
+ FTP |
+ PDFLib |
|
Processor |
2+ GHz |
2+ GHz |
2+ GHz |
|
Memory (RAM) |
512MB |
512MB |
1 GB |
|
Network Speed |
100 Mbps (Switched or FD*) |
100 Mbps (Switched or FD*) |
100 Mbps (Switched or FD*) |
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Hard Disk |
18 GB |
40 GB |
60 GB |
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If this
server is mission critical you may want to add RAID, redundant power and
network. You will also need a high quality stateful inspection firewall such as
Checkpoint, NetScreen or SonicWall. Tharstern NZ recommends the GTA GNATBox
GB1000 which we consider to be value for money. Also include Virus Scanning
Software. |
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6. Networks: |
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6.1
Network Cabling Topologies
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TharsternSQL is supported on most standard
network topologies. Tharstern NZ currently supports our software package
running on hardware products for 10BaseT, 100BaseT, 10Base2 or Token ring
platforms should a customer decide that they wish to provide this themselves.
However we highly recommend that customers move to a topology that supports
100mbps or greater connectivity.
Recommended:
100BaseT Ethernet
1000BaseT Ethernet
Supported (in
addition to the above – but not recommended):
10BaseT Ethernet
10Base2 Ethernet
Token Ring (16mbps)
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6.2 Networking Protocols |
|
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The preferred protocol for TharsternSQL is
TCPIP – although NetBEUI is also supported and is acceptable on small networks.
If TCPIP is used suitable name resolution methods (WINS and/or DNS) should be
configured as well as a suitable IP addressing scheme. Acceptable schemes are
as follows:
Class A
networks 10.x.x.x
Class B
networks 172.16.x.x to 172.32.x.x
Class C
networks 192.168.x.x
If an addressing scheme in this range is
not implemented then additional costs may be incurred, especially in situations
requiring Internet connectivity and routing. Please refer to RFC 1917 for
further information on industry standard addressing schemes.
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6.3 IPXSPX |
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IPXSPX should not be used as the transport protocol on which the
TharsternSQL software is run although it can still be installed on the client
machine for connection to a Netware server. On systems requiring both Netware
and NT connectivity it is recommended that the Novell 32 bit client be used
rather that the Microsoft Netware Client and that Novell Netware is the primary
network logon. |
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Copyright © 2010
Mosaic Management Information System Limited trading as Tharstern New Zealand. All rights reserved.
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