Recommended Enterprise Software To Realize Full Benefits Integrated, Multi-user Customer/Vendor Relationship Management, Estimating, Order Processing, Inventory Control, Invoicing, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger and Payroll. Shared Business Class Internet Connection Word Processing & Spreadsheets w/Shared Document Access Computer Based, Multi-user Inbound & Outbound Faxing Interoffice and Internet Email Using Microsoft Exchange Company Web Site with eCommerce Shopping Cart Microsoft SQL Server & Crystal Reports for Custom Reporting Needs
Remote Connectivity Required? Many customers ask about operating our software remotely from another location. If your needs are only one connection at a time, we suggest using the remote desktop application built into Windows XP & Vista, which will connect to your office workstation and provide the same functionality as if you were sitting at your desk. However, if you require several people at one time to connect and operate our software, a dedicated Windows Terminal Server running Windows Terminal Services is required. Windows Terminal Server/Services utilize the multi-tasking environment of Windows by allowing the server to act similar to a mini or mainframe computer. When using these products, the actual processing is done at the server. Thus, very little information is passed over the connection and performance is quite impressive. When multiple users require remote connectivity, a dedicated Terminal server is required since ORDERS Plus is not designed to operate directly on the fileserver computer itself. This gateway server then connects to your primary fileserver computer like a workstation, but provides the multi-user requirements needed for a wide area network. ATTENTION! Running ORDERS Plus on the primary enterprise fileserver will result in server processor time being distributed between enterprise requirements and the software application which will result in overall enterprise performance degradation.For more information, please speak with a certified consultant for each of these products. Proper implementation of this technology requires experience and definitely get references. If your company requires Remote Access to our Integrated Financials, additional costs may apply. Make sure to discuss this with your ORDERS Plus Sales Representative. In Summary If you require additional information and or clarification about the above recommendations, Select Here to contact our Live Help Desk and schedule an appointment with our IT Services Group to discuss your specific requirements.
File Server Configuration Memory 512MB (Minimum), 1GB (Preferred) 250 MB free disk space, Dedicated RAID 1 Mirrored Data Disk Set (Preferred) Mouse or pointing device required Video Card that supports 16M colors (Minimum) Sound Card Monitor of your Choice (800x600 Resolution Minimum) Internet Connection8
Workstation Configuration Intel1 Pentium PIII 550 (Minimum), Intel P4 (Preferred) Memory 256MB10 (Minimum), 512MB (Preferred) 10 MB free disk space Mouse or pointing device required Video Card that supports 16M Colors (Minimum) Sound Card Standard Monitor of your Choice (800x600 Resolution Minimum) HP Compatible Laser, High Speed Inkjet or Dot Matrix Printer7 Internet Connection8 Windows 2000 Professional (Minimum), XP Professional or Microsoft Business Vista2 Microsoft Office9 (Recommended)
Network Operating System Dedicated - Windows 2000 Server (Minimum), Windows 2003 Server (Preferred)3 Peer to Peer - (MAX 3 Users) Windows XP Professional or Vista Business (Preferred)4
Network Adapters and Network Switch
1 Intel Processors - We strongly believe in Intel and it's compatibility with Microsoft Operating Systems. Although, AMD makes a good processor, we believe it is best designed for home and stand alone use. 2 Workstation Operating System - Typically any workstation purchased today will have the option for Windows Vista Business, XP Professional or Windows 2000 Professional to be installed. We also strongly suggest that all workstations use the same operating system throughout the enterprise. This will assure compatibility throughout the enterprise and make it much easier to maintain for an IT person. We do not support operations on Windows ME or Windows XP Home or Vista Home, since these operating systems are designed for stand alone use and not optimized for network performance. 3 Dedicated - File Server Network Operating System - Since most of our customers have less than 75 full time users, most choose either Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2003 Server, Small Business Editions. Windows 2003 Small Business Standard Edition is preferred. We recommend using Windows XP Professional for Workstations with Windows 2003 Server. If using Windows 2000 Workstations, use Windows 2000 Server. 4 Peer to Peer - Network Operating System - Many of our smaller customers ask about the Peer to Peer Networking features built into Windows. Let us first state that Peer to Peer Networking is good for a very small office. However, we would still suggest a dedicated server. When combining the tasks of a Workstation and a Server on one computer, you are asking for very poor performance and integrity. We would only suggest a maximum of 3 users when considering Peer to Peer. Also use either all Windows XP Professional or Windows 2000 Professional. This will assure compatibility throughout the enterprise and make it much easier to maintain for an IT person. 5 Network Adapters - Every bit of network traffic and data is going through the workstations and servers via the Network Adapters and Network Switch on your enterprise. A lot of low-end computers come with built-in network adapters specifically for internet connectivity, not for business class, multi-user software applications. We recommend 3COM/Broadcomm Network Equipment and the way it works with Microsoft Network Technology. However, with the evolution of the Intel P4 Processor, an Intel Network Adapter is typically built-in on most quality motherboards. Not to mention, the newest server motherboards come with Intel 1 Gigabyte Adapters. Therefore, if your P4 Computers already have Intel Network Adapters built-in on the motherboard, deploy all Intel Network Adapters across the enterprise. If not, then purchase 3Com Network Adapters and deploy across the enterprise. Whichever is the least expensive solution. However, in both cases, use the same brand of network adapter throughout the enterprise. DO NOT SAVE MONEY HERE! It's a small price to pay for DATA INTEGRITY and PERFORMANCE. Cheap Network Typically included on a motherboard are designed for internet access and do not provide the quality and data packet integrity needed to address the needs of a multi-user software application like ORDERS Plus. 6 Network Switch - Every bit of network traffic and data is going through the Network Switch. We strongly recommend using a 3Com Network Switch. The decision to support 1 Gigabyte is solely based upon the network adapters being used. If your file server computer has a Gigabyte Network Adapter, get a 3Com Switch that has at least one 1 Gigabyte port. DO NOT SAVE MONEY HERE! It's a small price to pay for DATA INTEGRITY and PERFORMANCE. 7 HP Printers - We strongly believe in Hewlett Packard's' compatibility with Microsoft Operating Systems. A Laser Printer is Recommended if your company does not require multiple signed copies of purchase orders or invoices. ORDERS Plus was designed to eliminate the use of Dot Matrix printers since one can always re-print an invoice or purchase order transaction. If your company does use multipart invoices, ORDERS Plus also has a wide range of pre-printed forms available for use. 8 Internet Connection - During installation and advanced troubleshooting, a connection to the internet is required. Some files are downloaded during installation of product and service packs. Advanced troubleshooting requires an internet connection. 9 Microsoft Office - Certain features in ORDERS Plus are integrated with applications that are part of Microsoft Office. These include Document Management and Outlook Email Integration. Although, this is not required, it is recommended. (If using Microsoft Office, 512M of memory is required for optimal performance of Windows, Office and ORDERS Plus.) 10 Memory - If no other key software applications like Microsoft Office and/or other database applications are being used, 256M of memory should be sufficient for most users. However, by today's standards, 512M is typical since most users also run Microsoft Office along with other database applications that require more memory for their operations. Also, users with a large amount of data maintained in ORDERS Plus may require additional memory to load large databases and display them correctly. (If using Microsoft Office, 512M of memory is required for optimal performance of Windows, Office and ORDERS Plus.) | 
