This document contains a list of technical requirements for the computers and peripheral devices that should be used for your Basic Software Systems business system. These configuration requirements must be in place before a Basic Software Systems’ technician will assist with the installation of your business system software.

Basic Software Systems requires scheduling for any hardware or networking installations or changes. This means that if you are planning to implement any additions or changes to your existing hardware setup, you must call to pre-schedule assistance. Scheduling assistance for hardware or networking changes in advance will ensure that a Basic Software Systems technician will be available should you or your local technician need immediate attention during this process.

Please notify Basic Software Systems with any questions concerning networking or hardware specified in this document. We must work together in order to provide a reliable computer network solution for your business system. Check with your local hardware supplier for recommended configurations for your number of workstations. The following should be used as a minimum recommendation:

OPERATING SYSTEM
Windows 2000 Professional or XP Professional is to be installed on all computers that will be connected to your business system. An evaluation should be completed with your local technician to determine your business system server needs.  The end results will be based on the number of workstation connections you will have to your server.  

• If you will have less than 8 workstations and are a single location company, you may evaluate with your local technician the availability to use a Windows XP Professional computer as your server.  Otherwise, you will need a Windows 2003 Server for the business system server. 

• Evaluate your server needs carefully considering your company's future needs for additional workstations.  It is always best to have a dedicated server, however, this is not required if there is minimal activity on the session working on the server and this meets with your local technician's approval. 

• Make sure all of your current applications will function properly as well as verify that the components selected are fully compatible.  

• Prior to installing Basic Software Systems' Business Management System, verify that all computers are updated with all necessary Windows software updates.

BUSINESS SYSTEM SERVER - XP Professional
Intel based systems are highly recommended. Basic Software Systems cannot guarantee what the results might be when running our business system on processors other than Intel.

Existing
A minimum of an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor
A minimum of 512MB of Ram (memory)
A minimum 30GB hard drive
CD-ROM Drive

New
A minimum of an Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor
A minimum of 1GB of Ram (memory)
A minimum 60GB hard drive
DVD Writer

BUSINESS SYSTEM SERVER - Windows 2003 Server - Single Store
Windows Small Business Server 2003 or Windows 2003 Server Standard.

Intel based systems are highly recommended. Basic Software Systems cannot guarantee what the results might be when running our business system on processors other than Intel.

Existing
A minimum of an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor
A minimum of 512MB of Ram (memory)
A minimum 30GB hard drive
CD-ROM Drive

New
A minimum of an Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor
A minimum of 1GB of Ram (memory)
 A minimum 60GB hard drive
Consider a RAID configuration with a second hard drive
DVD Writer

BUSINESS SYSTEM SERVER - Windows 2003 Server - Multiple Stores
Windows 2003 Server (Standard or Enterprise).

 Intel based systems are highly recommended. Basic Software Systems cannot guarantee what the results might be when running our business system on processors other than Intel.

New
A minimum of a Dual Intel® Xeon® processor
A minimum of 2GB of Ram (memory)
A minimum Dual 120GB hard drives
RAID Configuration
DVD Writer
Terminal Services Configuration

Note: Additional Terminal Services CAL Licenses are necessary for each remote connection to the server. Increase Ram as needed based on the number of remote connections planned. Remote PCs will need to use Remote Desktop Connection to connect to the new server after they have a secure connection.

PC WORKSTATIONS
Intel based systems are highly recommended. Basic Software Systems cannot guarantee what the results might be when running our business system on processors other than Intel.

Existing
A minimum of an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor
A minimum of 512MB of Ram (memory)
A minimum 20GB hard drive
CD-ROM Drive

New
A minimum of an Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor
A minimum of 512MB of Ram (memory)
A minimum 60GB hard drive
DVD Drive

Miscellaneous PC Information

At least one DVD drive installed in your computers.
256K Cache or higher is recommended.
A 32MB video card is recommended as minimum. We suggest a 64MB video card or greater when purchasing a new computer.
10/100 Ethernet cards are required to be installed in each computer on your network with Netbios enabled over TCP/IP.

BACKUPS
Backups using external media must be used for each day of the week. Develop a regular schedule for cleaning your media drives based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is also recommended that you replace your backup media periodically to ensure quality backups as well as have three or more rotating media devices.

    Acceptable Media Types:
    Tape, DVD, USB Jump Drives, External hard drives

HIGH SPEED INTERNET CONNECTIVITY REQUIRED
High speed internet connectivity must be available. This allows Basic Software Systems to assist you with support issues as well as provide valuable manufacturer price books and software update services. 

BACKUP POWER SUPPLY
It is your company’s responsibility to maintain adequate backup power and surge protection for all hardware devices used for your business system.  

PRINTERS
Basic Software Systems strongly suggests the use of laser printers for all your business system printing needs.  We recommend HP Laserjet Printers when purchasing new laser printers. If a laser printer will be used with preprinted forms, we recommend contacting our support team for assistance with printing a test of the laser form prior to ordering your forms. 

Basic Software Systems' continuous forms are to be used with an Okidata 320 or 321 Turbo Dot Matrix Printer. Other dot matrix printers may cause alignment issues.

It is also recommended you disable the Windows auto feature that allows search for network printers.

POINT-OF-SALE DEVICES 
This business system is designed to use specific Point-of-Sale devices. If you plan to use Point-of-Sale devices, it is important that you purchase the exact models listed. To ensure proper configurations, it is recommended that these devices be purchased from Basic Software Systems. If purchased elsewhere, installation assistance fees will be applicable.

• Quickscan Scanner PS2 or USB Cable - QS6500
• Bar Code Scanners require Keyboard Wedge/PS2 9' Cable - 42206132-02 IT3800
• Cognitive 2.4 Blaster Advantage LX TT Bar Code Printer - LBT24-2043-012
• Star Receipt Printer (TSP643C-24) / Star Power Supply - PS-60-24A
• M-S Cash Drawer with Star Receipt Printer Interface - EP-125K
• Phaser P360 Memory Scanner (Data Collector) - P360-4MEG
• Logics Control, Inc. MR3000 Magnetic Stripe Reader
• Quickscan Cordless Scanner, Base, Power Supply, PS2 or USB Cable - QS6500BT
• Gryphon BT Cordless Scanner, Base, Power Supply, USB - DL-901691004
• POS Transaction Terminal (HHP-TT8500MNK) Signature, 3trk MSR, USB Cable, Power Supply

NETWORK CONFIGURATION
We recommend that all printers and drives initially be set as shareable with full access for other computers on the network.
It is suggested that each computer and printer should have a name no greater than ten characters keeping the format alpha-numeric.
TCP/IP is the protocol needed for your network with Netbios enabled over TCP/IP. 

CABLING
Manufacturer-certified Category 5 or 6 twisted pair networking cabling is required. Local building codes should be followed to insure safety for your company.

WINDOWS SETTINGS
Verify that the system date and time are correct and consistent with all computers. Basic Software Systems reports will use this date and time.

It is recommended the background of your desktop screens be simple. To help prevent occasional Windows lockups or access problems, we do recommend not using highly graphical screen savers or the “blank screen” screen saver.

It is recommended that all Power Saving Features be turned to “Never” to avoid slow response from computers on the network.  

Remember this is a business system computer.

ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keep in mind that it is very important to utilize anti-virus software on your computers. However, if your system seems to be running slow or experience network errors, streamlining the anti-virus software may be necessary to keep your system running efficiently. Disable any features that scan network drives. Contact our Support Team for a list of folders to exclude if further streamlining is necessary.

LOCAL TECHNICIAN RESPONSIBILITIES
Your local technician must provide Basic Software Systems with a copy of the proposed server solution for preliminary technical review prior to your final purchase.

Your local technician must speak to a Basic Software Systems' designated technical advisor prior to completion of the sale and prior to  implementation of your new business system.

Your local technician must have the entire network in place and functioning with each computer configured as required herein, drives mapped properly to the server, printers installed in Windows, etc., prior to installation of Basic Software Systems’ business system.

Your local technician must follow the guidelines for networking and configuration in order to maintain a proper networking environment for the Basic Software Systems’ business system. If your local technician has other recommendations for network configurations, please have them contact us for further evaluation prior to implementation. If we feel the suggestions are not acceptable or that the implementation procedures may cause a problem, it will be necessary that they be changed to our recommendations.