Solomon 5.5 Configuration Guide

Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon 5.5Configuration Requirements Guide

Purpose

This document provides a guide to the hardware and software minimum requirements for Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon 5.5. Please keep in mind that these are minimum requirements and that improved hardware configuration (More RAM, Faster Processors) will result in better productivity. Note: Failure to implement Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon without using or exceeding the recommended configuration guidelines may result in decreased performance.

Outline

This document contains the following sections:A. Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Configuration Requirements – Server, Workstations, and

Single UserB. Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Remote Connectivity Configuration RequirementsC. Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Tools for Visual Basic Configuration RequirementsD. FRx Report Server Configuration RequirementsE. Order Management Process Manager Configuration and Seat RequirementsF. Requirements for All InstallationsG. Solomon Desktop Configuration Options – Demonstration, Simplified, Two Machine, Windows

Terminal Server, and WEB based Client Workstation requirementsH. Application Server Configuration RequirementsI. Office XP SmartTag Manager Configuration RequirementsJ. Professional Services Automation (PSA) Enabler Configuration RequirementsK. Items not covered in this guide

A. Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Configuration Requirements – Server, Workstations, and Single User

Database ServerMinimum Recommended

450 MHz Pentium Processor (Intel based) Server-Class, 700 MHz Pentium III or better (Intel based)

256 MB of RAM 512 MB of RAMNote: More server memory may be required for increased user demands.

Microsoft Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack 3 OR Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 6a OR Microsoft Windows Server 2003 OR Microsoft Small Business Server 2000. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition with Service Pack 3 OR Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 with Service Pack 4 OR Small Business Server 2000 with SQL Server 7.0 Service Pack 3 250 MB hard drive space plus database size, in addition to what is required for Windows 2000 Server,

Windows NT Server, Windows Server 2003, SQL Server, and other programs on the network. The amount of space for data can vary dramatically depending on the number of databases, amount of retention, and transaction volume.

Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon 5.5 Configuration Requirements Guide Depending on the transaction load, the number of users, database size/growth, and activity on your

existing file server, a dedicated SQL database server (separate server) may be required. If utilizing separate database servers for multiple application databases, each database server must

have the appropriate Microsoft software licenses and a Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon system database. Note: The use of this configuration must conform to Microsoft Business Solutions licensing requirements and that some multi-company restrictions will apply.

NOTE: If you are planning on running Business Portal refer to the Business Portal requirements document.

Client WorkstationsMinimum Recommended

266 MHz Pentium Processor (Intel based) 450 MHz Pentium II Processor or better (Intel based)

128 MB of RAM 256 MB of RAMNote: the amount of workstation RAM required depends on the number of applications open at one time on the desktop. Client workstations running Distribution Series screens or screens that are highly customized require 256 MB of RAM

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 with Service Pack 6a

Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 3 OR Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1

A Monitor with a video resolution of at least 800x600 (SVGA).

A Monitor with a resolution of 1024x768 or higher

Client Installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition with Service Pack 3 OR Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 with Service Pack 4

400 MB hard drive space on the client workstation or application server on which all Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon programs are installed.

Single User InstallationMinimum Recommended

266 MHz Pentium Processor (Intel based) 450 MHz Pentium II Processor or better (Intel based)

256 MB of RAM 256 MB of RAMNote: the amount of workstation RAM required depends on the number of applications open at one time

on the desktop

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 with Service Pack 6a

Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 3. Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1

Note 1: Windows NT 4.0 Workstation or Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional required if using Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Order Management

Note 2: Windows 2000 Professional required if using Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Project Accounting with PSA Enabler (Microsoft Project Integration)

A Monitor with a video resolution of at least 800x600 (SVGA)

A Monitor with a resolution of 1024x768 or higher.

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Personal Edition with Service Pack 3 OR Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Desktop Edition with Service Pack 4.

Page 2 of 11

Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon 5.5 Configuration Requirements Guide

B. Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Remote Connectivity Configuration Requirements

Note that the following are the only supported configurations for Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon remote connectivity. Any other remote connectivity configuration options that are not noted are not supported.

Database Server

Identical to Section A above.

Terminal Server Minimum Recommended

Server-Class 400 MHz Pentium II Processor or better (Intel based)

Server-Class Dual Processor 450 MHz Pentium III or better (Intel based).

A Monitor with a video resolution of at least 800x600

A Monitor with resolution of 1024x76 (SVGA) or higher.

256 MB of RAM if not using the calculation formula in the Recommended column

Use one of the following formulas for calculating total RAM:

128 MB of RAM plus 32 MB of RAM per user connecting to the Terminal Server

128 MB of RAM plus 48 MB of RAM per Order Management/Order Management Plus user connecting to the Terminal Server.

Note: The amount of RAM required depends on the number of applications open at one time on the desktop and the number of users (minimum of 128 MB of RAM with 32MB of RAM for each remote user).

Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack 3 (which includes Windows Terminal Services) Windows NT Server Terminal Server Edition 4.0 with Service Pack 6a AND Citrix Metaframe 1.8 or

Citrix Metaframe XP. Client Installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition with Service Pack 3 OR Client Installation of Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 with Service Pack 4 (if separate from the database

server). 400 MB hard drive space for installing all Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon programs.

Remote Access Workstation

If accessing Citrix Metaframe, hardware and software must be supported according to the Citrix Metaframe configuration requirements. Refer to the following web address: http://www.citrix.com

Page 3 of 11

http://www.citrix.com/


C. Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Tools for Visual Basic Configuration Requirements

Database Server, Client Workstation, and Single User environment requirements are identical to Section A above.

Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Professional Edition with Service Pack 5.

D. FRx Professional Report Server Configuration Requirements 266 MHz Pentium II Processor or better (Intel-based (dual processor capable)) 128 MB of RAM plus 64 MB of RAM per CPU Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 6a 250 MB hard drive space in addition to what is needed for Windows NT Server MAPI-compliant mail service

E. Order Management Process Manager Configuration and Seat RequirementsThe Process Manager within the Order Management module can run on the Database Server or on a dedicated workstation. It continuously reviews orders, inventory availability, credit status and can automatically process the order steps according to the Order Type setup - such as create a shipper, print packing lists, and print invoices.

This automated process monitors and manages the order fulfillment process and eliminates the need to dedicate staff for processes such as producing pick tickets, packing slips, filling back orders, and reviewing customers changing credit status. It is designed to evaluate all of these factors continuously and there are a number of elements of Process Manager that must be considered when planning for an implementation. These conditions are as follows:

There needs to be a Process Manager running for each company that has a separate database. A single server can only run one Process Manager. If there are multiple databases, each

additional Process Manager must run on a separate server or a dedicated workstation.

Configuration of a dedicated stand-alone machine that runs Process Manager only is as follows: 266 MHz Pentium II Processor or better (Intel-based), at very minimum. Better processor and

additional memory is needed with higher volumes of data. 256 MB RAM is recommended, 128 MB of RAM is the minimum requirement to run Process

Manager. Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 3 OR Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 with

Service Pack 6a Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Client Installation

Note: Process Manager does not consume a Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon seat license.

Page 4 of 11


F. Requirements for All Installations

Common

A CD-ROM drive is required to install the system. Supplemental programs and updates will be provided on CD-ROM, diskette and/or the Solomon FTP Server Site.

Current Network Interface Card (NIC) drivers. Updated NIC drivers can usually be downloaded from the NIC vendor’s World Wide Web page or Bulletin Board Service.

Hardware must be supported according to the Microsoft Windows NT Hardware Compatibility List. Refer to the following web address: http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/hwtest/hcl.idc?RLD=34

Operating Systems for different server configurations need not be identical. For example, the SQL Server database server could be running Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack 3 and the Web Server could be running Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6a

Printer

A laser printer is recommended for use with Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon. Most reports print in landscape mode on 8.5 x 11” paper. Although Windows will map printed output to non-laser printers the printing could be very slow. Special forms were designed to work acceptably on either a laser printer or a contact type printer. Your contact type printer must have Windows driver support. Additional memory on the printer can enhance printing performance for long running print jobs.

Please be advised of a problem with existing Windows 2000 printer drivers for some dot matrix printers. Our Technical Support team has encountered cases where there is a lack of printer functionality in Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon or Crystal Reports Version 8.5. While some printer drivers may appear to function correctly, options such as changing paper size or passing font information may not operate correctly. In some instances, substituting another printer driver may resolve the problem. However, in other instances the only option is printing from a Windows NT 4.0 with Serve Pack 6a.

Internet / E-Mail

Internet access for communication with Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Support and to obtain software updates.

Messages can be sent using the Internet or Electronic Mail.

G. Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Desktop Installation Configuration OptionsThe hardware specifications for Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Desktop will vary based on the number of users that will be using Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Desktop and their usage patterns. To determine usage pattern requires knowing how many times each user expects to access Microsoft Business Solution–Solomon Desktop per week, and which eApplications or reports will be run.

Please review the Microsoft Business Solution–Solomon Desktop Installation Guide for more information about choosing your installation scenario. Below are the configurations that describe the specific requirements of each scenario. Actual requirements will be determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, number of web-based users, number of page requests, and type of activity (reporting vs. lookup).

Demonstration ConfigurationFor ease of demonstration or development, all components and services can be loaded on a single machine.

Page 5 of 11

http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/hwtest/hcl.idc?RLD=34


Following are the minimum and recommended configuration requirements for this single machine:

Minimum Recommended 266 MHz Pentium Processor (Intel based) 450 MHz Pentium II Processor or better (Intel

based) 256 MB of RAM 300 MB of RAM Windows NT Workstation 4.0 with Service

Pack 6a higher. Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 3 or

Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack 3 (Windows 2000 Server required for Windows Terminal Services) OR

Windows Server 2003 A Monitor with a video resolution of at least

800x600 (SVGA). A Monitor with a higher video resolution of

1024x768

Internet Information Server 4.0 (From the NT 4.0 Option Pack)

Internet Information Server 5.0 or higher (included in Windows 2000 Professional and Server and Windows XP)

Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Desktop Edition with Service Pack 4 Microsoft SQL 2000 Standard Edition with Service Pack Service Pack 3

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater with JAVA support. 250 MB hard drive space in addition to what is needed for Windows NT Server and IIS. The amount of

required space can vary depending on the use of graphics, quantity and size of static reports, etc. A permanent or dial-on-demand connection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) via ISDN, DSL/ADSL,

frame-relay, T1, or equivalent technology.

Page 6 of 11


Simplified ConfigurationTo achieve the most simplified of all Solomon Desktop production installation options, all of the components and services that support a Solomon Desktop implementation can reside on a single processor, server-class machine. Many of the Solomon Desktop services can take advantage of multiple processors; therefore a dual-processor server machine can be used for larger numbers of users (50 or more), and is recommended if most of these users will be running reports.

This installation option already assumes a separate Solomon Database Server, whose specifications are found in Section A of the Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Configuration Requirements Guide. A Windows Terminal Server, while optional, would be another machine, whose specifications are found at the end of this guide.

Following are the minimum and recommended configuration requirements for this single machine:

Minimum Recommended Server-Class 450 MHz Pentium III or better

(Intel based) Server-Class, Dual Processor 450 MHz Pentium III

or better (Intel based) 256 MB of RAM 512 MB of RAM Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 with

Service Pack 6a OR Microsoft Small Business Server 2000

Microsoft Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack 3 OR

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Internet Information Server 4.0 (From the NT

4.0 Option Pack) Internet Information Server 5.0 or higher (included

in Windows 2000 Professional and Server, and Windows XP)

Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon client is required on the machine. Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater with JAVA support.. 400 MB hard drive space in addition to what is needed for Windows NT Server and IIS. The amount of


frame-relay, T1, or equivalent technology.Note: More server memory may be required for increased user demands.

Page 7 of 11


Two-Machine ConfigurationIf additional scaling is desired and a single multi-processor server is not available, a two-machine configuration can be used. Under a two-machine configuration, the Web Server Components are installed on Machine 1 along with the Application Server Module with the Microsoft Business Solution–Solomon product installed and the Database Server on Machine 2.

A Windows Terminal Server, while optional, would be another machine, whose specifications are found at the end of this guide

Following are the minimum and recommended configuration requirements for Machine 1:


(Intel based) Server-Class 450 MHz Pentium III or better (Intel

based) 256 MB of RAM 512 MB of RAM Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 with

Service Pack 6a or higher Microsoft Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack

3 OR Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Internet Information Server 4.0 (From the NT 4.0 Option Pack) with Microsoft FrontPage Server extensions.

Internet Information Server 5.0 or higher (included in Windows 2000 Professional and Server, and Windows XP)

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater with JAVA support. 400 MB hard drive space in addition to what is needed for Windows NT Server and IIS. The amount of


frame-relay, T1, or equivalent technology.

Note: More server memory may be required for increased user demands.

Page 8 of 11


Following are the minimum and recommended configuration requirements for Machine 2:


(Intel based) Server-Class 450 MHz Pentium III or better (Intel

based) 256 MB of RAM 512 MB of RAM Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 with

Service Pack 6a Microsoft Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack

3 OR Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater with JAVA support. 400 MB hard drive space in addition to what is needed for Windows NT Server.

Note: More server memory may be required for increased user demands.

Windows Terminal Server ConfigurationIf Solomon Desktop is to be used for remotely accessing Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon (an optional configuration feature), a separate machine running Windows 2000 Server and Terminal Services is required. Following is the minimum and recommended configuration requirements for this machine:

Minimum Recommended Server-Class 400 MHz Pentium II

Processor or better (Intel based) Server-Class Dual Processor 450 MHz Pentium

III or better (Intel based). A Monitor with a video resolution of at

least 800x600 (SVGA). A Monitor with higher video resolution of

1024x768 256 MB of RAM if not using the

calculation formula in the Recommended column

Use one of the following formulas for calculating total RAM: 128 MB of RAM plus 32 MB of RAM per user

connecting to the Terminal Server 128 MB of RAM plus 48 MB of RAM per Order

Management/Order Management Plus user connecting to the Terminal Server.

Note: The amount of WTS RAM required depends on the number of applications open at one time on the desktop and the number of users (minimum of 128 MB of RAM with 32MB of RAM for each remote user).

Windows 2000 Server with Windows Terminal Services installed with Service Pack 3. Client Installation of Microsoft SQL Server (if separate from the database server). 400 MB hard drive space for installing all Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon programs

Web-Based Client Workstation Configuration

Windows NT Workstation 4.0, or Windows 2000 Professional, or Windows XP Professional with latest Service Packs.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 Web browser.

Minimum of 128 MB of RAM is recommended for Windows NT Workstation 4.0 or Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional

If accessing Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon applications on a Windows Terminal Server, a Terminal Server Client Access License is required (only if the client machine is not running the Windows 2000 operating system). Each user connected to the Terminal Server consumes a Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon seat license.

If accessing locally installed Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon applications through Solomon Desktop, a Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Client and seat license is required.

Page 9 of 11

Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon 5.5 Configuration Requirements GuideRefer to the Client Workstation Configuration Requirements in the Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Configuration Requirements Guide for details on configuration requirements.

H. Application Server Configuration Requirements

Application Server can run on any machine that has the Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon client setup program installed. The machine can be either a client workstation or the Database Server. When Application Server is running, it is an exclusive process and should not be run simultaneously with other Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon applications (including Order Management Process Manager). Configuration Requirements for Application Server are the same as any Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon workstation. Note that a full installation of the Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon programs is not required on the workstation. Application Server, when running, does not consume a Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon seat license.

Minimum Recommended 266 MHz Pentium Processor (Intel based) 450 MHz Pentium II Processor or better (Intel

based) 64 MB of RAM 128 MB of RAMNote: the amount of workstation RAM required depends on the number of applications open at one time

on the desktop.

Windows NT 4.0 Workstation with Service Pack 6a

Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 3 OR Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack 3 OR Windows Server 2003 OR Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1.

Note: Windows 2000 or Windows NT or Windows XP Professional required if Application Server will run Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon Order Management processes, reports, or Transaction Imports.

Depending on volume and intensity of reports and processes submitted to Application Server, Windows 98 may not meet minimal acceptable performance requirements.

Client Installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Standard or Personal Edition with Service Pack 3 OR Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 with Service Pack 4.

Client Installation of Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon 5.5. Microsoft Outlook 2000 and Collaborative Data Objects. (Note: Microsoft Outlook XP can only be used

on the Application Server if Microsoft Exchange is used as the email server software due to the need to register Application Server with the Microsoft Collaboration Data Objects (CDO) in Outlook XP)

Application Server E-mail Configuration Requirements

An email configuration is not required in order to use Application Server. However, in order to use e-mail report routing as well as submit requests via e-mail, an email system must be present and the machine where the Application Server will run must have an installation of Microsoft Outlook 2000 with a profile configured to access e-mail. Note that Outlook 2000 must support the email system in order to configure a profile. In addition, Microsoft Collaboration Data Objects (CDO) must be installed during the Outlook 2000 installation. Collaboration Data Objects must be manually selected when using the Typical or Custom Outlook 2000 installation option. Note: Microsoft Outlook XP can only be used on the Application Server if Microsoft Exchange is used as the email server software due to the need to register Application Server with the Microsoft Collaboration Data Objects (CDO) in Outlook XP.

Note that a sender of an email to Application Server may be on any email client type.

I. Office XP SmartTag Manager Configuration Requirements

Page 10 of 11

Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon 5.5 Configuration Requirements Guide Database Server, Client Workstation, and Single User environment requirements are identical to

Section A above. Client machines will need Microsoft® Office XP with the latest Service Pack and meet the

configuration specifications for that product.

J. Professional Services Automation Enabler Configuration Requirements

Database Server, Client Workstation, and Single User environment requirements are identical to Section A above with the exception that Windows 2000 Server is the required Server Operating System.

Client machines will need Microsoft® Project Professional 2002 with the latest Service Pack and meet the configuration specifications for that product. See http://www.microsoft.com/office/project/evaluation/prosysregs.asp

A Server Class machine will be needed for Microsoft® Project Server 2002 with the latest Service Pack and meet the configuration specifications for that product. See http://www.microsoft.com/office/project/evaluation/svrsysregs.asp

J. Items Not Covered in the Guide

This document does not cover configurations guidelines, explicitly or implied, unless otherwise stated, for the following products. This list is not inclusive of all products that integrate, share data, or in any other way work with Microsoft Business Solutions–Solomon. Refer to the configuration guides specific to these or other software applications for further configuration information.

Microsoft Business Solutions Business Portal Microsoft Retail Management Systems Microsoft Office Microsoft MapPoint

Page 11 of 11

Documents

Solomon 5.5 Configuration Guide