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Hardware Requirements |
  
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Hardware Requirements |
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Compulink does not sell any computer hardware, however, we can
offer the below guidelines as to what you will need. Because each
store is different, you might consult with a local computer
dealer to determine your particular needs. You can get computers mail
order or from a local shop that builds them.
The Jewelry Shopkeeper software will work on almost any PC running
Windows but if you do not have a computer, or you plan on buying a
new one, we would recommend a more up-to-date computer such as
one with the following specifications: The "processor" should be
a Pentium 4 or Core Duo or AMD equivalent; The hard drive should be
40GB or larger, and the RAM should be 1GB or more. You can use either a
flat (LCD) monitor are usual now. If possible see if
the computer can include a parallel printer port. Most of your backups
will be done with USB Flash drive or onto CD's and DVD's so a special
backup system is not usualy required.
Windows XP Professional is suggested (not a 64-bit version). Windows
Vista has not been certified yet. If you select a low $300 to $400
priced computer it will usually come with XP Home - but you can usually
pay the extra $70 and request XP Professional. Expect a price range of
$300 to $800 for a computer without a monitor.
For best customer support from Compulink, we highly recommend you
have an internet e-mail account and a fax machine.
A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is recommended for each
computer. This is a battery and surge protector in one which
keeps your computer running in power outages or disturbances. A
small $80 one is usually sufficient to keep your computer up for
10 minutes or so but check with the seller on UPS capacity
requirements.
If you plan on point-of-sale use you probably need a network of
computers (one or more for sales registers, one or more for
bookkeeping or inventory processing.) Note that registers require
actual computers, not just screens.
If your Shopkeeper is a single-computer version you may want to
consider a network version to allow simultaneous access to Shopkeeper
from more than one computer.
For point-of-sale, you will want reasonably fast computers to speed the
customer's transactions. (sometimes people think to put slow computers
thinking "It's only a register") This doesn't mean you need to buy
a particularly fast computer but it does mean you might not want to use
your 6-year old computer as the register.
The network features built in to Windows XP Pro are sufficient for a small
network of 2 to 8 stations. Don't get a special Server version of Windows
unless you have a large network or special applications that require a
Server version.
Don't use wireless networks - use cables to network computers.