| Hardware
Requirements
RentalPOS can be setup in many different configurations so it would
be difficult to give you exact specifications without knowledge
about your business and needs. When you are ready to make your purchase,
we will gladly spend some time with you to design your network and
give you a shopping list.
We generally do not sell hardware, so we can give you an independent
evaluation on your quotations.
Windward can be setup on a single workstation, or a small peer-
to-peer network of two or three computers, or into a proper client/server
network from three to two hundred computers in either one or several
locations.
File Server
You have the choice of Microsoft Windows 2000 or 2003 Server, Novell
Netware 3.12 or higher or Red Hat Linux 9 or higher as the network
operating systems for your network. Novell is great, but it is
sometimes difficult to get technicians that are available to install
and support. Red Hat Linux is a fantastic networking software,
but again, it requires specialized knowledge. As Linux becomes
more popular, it will be easier to recommend. Microsoft Windows
2000 and 2003 Server does the job and if you have technicians that
know and understand it, then this may be the best option to choose.
The server machine itself should be a Pentinum III 350 Mhz or faster
with 256 Mbs of Ram and 4 gigs of hard drive space or more. Most
important, the server must be of server quality instead of just
a low end work station. This does not mean you need to spend a
lot of money, but if you buy a discount machine to use as a server,
you might run into problems. It's worth spending a little extra
on the server as it‚s the heart of the whole computer system.
Workstations
Faster is better, but at a minimum is a Pentium III 350 Mhz or
faster, with 128 Mbs of Ram. 150 MB of available hard drive space.
These machines can run Windows 98/NT/2000 or XP, but we recommend
Windows 2000 Professional and XP Professional as the best operating
systems for Windward System Five.
Network Cards and Switches
We recommend 3-Com 10/100 ethernet network cards due to their high-speed
and superior quality. Low-end network cards can cause serious problems
under load. The computers should be connected via a switch, not
a hub. Although similar in appearance the enhanced quality and
performance of a switch justify the added expense. If the network
is under load, a hub will drop packets or allow collisions, where
a switch with store-and-forward technology will prevent collisions
and reduce network load. |
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General Printers
Laser printers are the best option because they are quiet, fast
and can handle images very well for printing your company's identity
(logos letterhead, etc). Windward will support dot matrix, ink
jet and bar code printers (Eltron or Zebra) with ease.
Bar Code
We strongly recommend the Metrologic brand of scanners, but any
scanner that supports pre-amble characters and uses a keyboard
wedge will work with Windward. The scanners come in different
shapes and sizes, from handhelds, small balls called Orbits, or
flat bed scanners like you see in grocery stores.
Cash Drawer
When an invoice is completed and is being printed, RentalPOS can
send the codes to open the cash drawer. In most cases, the cash
drawer will be hooked up to your receipt printer, but there are
other methods of connecting the cash drawer to the computer.
Windward RentalPOS supports all standard
point of sale hardware. To find out how to implement RentalPOS
in your existing network, call one of our technicians today.
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