Hardware Requirements
Windward System Five 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
As the backbone of your business, the server hardware must be of server quality, not 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, there is a higher probability that you will run into problems. For minimum requirements of exactly which CPU, RAM etc to purchase, please refer to the Minimum Requirements for the Server Software that you are going to purchase.
Windward System Five will work well with Microsoft Windows 2000, 2003 or 2008 Server in either a 32 bit or 64 bit architecture as the operating systems for your network.
Workstations
Your workstations need not be as powerful and robust as your Server hardware, but faster is better. For minimum requirements of exactly which CPU, RAM etc to purchase, please refer to the Minimum Requirements for the Operating System Software that you are going to purchase with your hardware.
These machines can run Windows 2000, XP or Vista Business Edition but we recommend XP Professional as the best operating systems for Windward System Five. At this time we do NOT support Windows Vista 64 bit architecture.
Network Cards and Switches
We recommend any reasonably high quality 100/1000 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 100/1000 network switch or router.
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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 documents that enhance your company's identity (logos letterhead, etc).
Bar Code Hardware
We recommend the Symbol brand of scanners, but any scanner that supports pre-amble characters and uses a keyboard wedge or USB connection will work with Windward System Five. The scanners come in different shapes and sizes, from handhelds, to counter mounted to the large flat bed scanners like you see in grocery stores.
Cash Drawer
When an invoice is completed and is being printed, Windward System Five 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 System Five supports all standard point of sale hardware. To find out how to implement System Five in your existing network, call one of our technicians today.
POS Hardware
Recommended POS Hardware
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