Hardware

Woodmoulding MIS

Modules

Why Change

Methodology

3rd Party Applications

• Hardware

Cost

FAQ

Jobs

Hardware
The hardware requirements of the Woodmoulding MIS fall back to the hardware requirements of the operating system. If a hardware configuration satisfies the minimum requirements of the operating system and the user is satisfied with performance, then the hardware meets the requirement. Below are descriptions of the minimum hardware requirements from Microsoft. Also below are descriptions of specific hardware solutions.

Minimum Configuration
Following are Microsoft defined minimum system requirements for server and client hardware:
Required minimum computer configuration for Small Business Server:

Pentium 120 MHz or higher processor
64 MB RAM
2 GB hard disk space
3.5" high-density disk drive (must be configured as drive A:)
CD-ROM drive
Super VGA monitor and video adapter (800 x 600 or higher resolution, 16 colors)
Class 1 fax-compatible modem
Ethernet network interface card from the Small Business Server Recommended Hardware List

Pentium 90 MHz or higher processor recommended
32 MB RAM recommended
3.5� high-density disk drive
250 MB of available hard disk space
VGA or higher resolution monitor and video adapter
Ethernet network interface card compatible with desktop operating system
Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
Modem required if accessing the server using dial-up networking

Network hardware should be adequate to utilize the installed server and client configuration:

10/100BaseT Hub
10/100BaseT Network Interface Cards
Category 5 site wiring.

Server Hardware
Microsoft ran tests of the Small Business Server in order to document its efficacy. An executive summary and link to the white paper is here. Microsoft concludes that a server more powerful than their minimum configuration is best and make the statement that the greatest gains are to be had in RAID configurations.

Microsoft tested their installation on a Dell PowerEdge 1300 with software RAID. Based on a reading of the details, the Dell PowerEdge 2300 is the best server for the Woodmoulding MIS, balancing cost, performance and longevity.

Data Collection
Data collection hardware depends on the extent to which data collection is automated. This aspect of the Woodmoulding MIS is flexible. Many options exist with respect to data collection. This section describes and provides links to some of those options. Click the images to view the respective web sites.

The T2425, is the wireless model of the TRAKKER Antares hand-held line (T2420 is the batch model). It will operate in rough industrial conditions and low temperatures even after repeated drops. It quickly and easily interfaces to existing applications with factory-installed terminal emulation options for ANSI/VT 100/220/320 and IBM 3270/5250 terminals. Or create your own terminal programs in C or with the EZBuilder Rapid Application Development Tool. A powerful 2.4 GHz radio provides excellent area coverage and high interference immunity with a data rate of 1.6 MBPS for maximum throughput.

The 3400 is a value-priced, industrial printer designed for distributed printing. Choose this rugged printer for shipping and receiving, inventory control, specimen or file tracking, and other applications requiring multiple print stations. The 3400 printer features metal construction with enclosed media supply for protection against dirt and dust. It includes a bolt down feature for extra security and stability.

An excellent choice for inside the office.

The EasyCoder 401 is a rugged, compact printer, intended for low volume production. Compared to other printers in its class EasyCoder 401 will give you �more label mileage for money�. Engineered without any compromises, its metal housing, roller bearings on moving parts and built-in print head control gives you long-life operation, superior reliability and print quality, especially important when printing bar codes. The EasyCoder 401 meets CEN and ANSI print specifications to ensure bar code scannability.

An excellent choice for factory floor applications.

The Series 3000 by Accu-Time is a full-function data collection terminal. Open ACCU-TECTURE, 'C' programmable and feature-rich packaged in an attractive almost indestructible die cast housing, the Series 3000 is ideally suited for small or large employee based companies. This compact package has the capabilities to incorporate third party software coupled with programmable function keys, making the Series 3000 the most versatile terminal of its class.

The ATS-3000 is utilized by the TimeCentre system as a time clock. These terminals, with their programmability lend themselves to additional data collection jobs.

Designed as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) the Palm III lends itself to lists and appointments and allows for networked synchronization. The Palm III can potentially reduce the paper flow to the factory floor by transmitting that data to individual Palm Pilots. Excellent database software from Pendragon expands the possibilities.

Printers
All reports including invoices and checks will be laser printed with the Woodmoulding MIS - therefore the quality, capacity and speed of the laser printers are critical to the real life success of the system. To that end, following are descriptions of suggested printers. Click the images to view the respective web sites.

HP LaserJet 5000 Series printers incorporate HP's most innovative new technologies, establishing new standards for paper-handling, speed, print quality, and network printer management. These printers are ideal for general office, finance, CAD, desktop publishing, marketing ... any workgroup that requires fast, high-quality monochrome printouts. And with the ability to print from 3x5 inch to full-bleed 11x17 images, they're an affordable alternative to "multiple-printer" departments or outsourcing.

The HP LaserJet 5000 GN was PC Magazine Editors Choice for a Workgroup printer. Read the review at the PC Magazine link above.

A single HP LaserJet 5000 GN, supported by desktop HP LaserJet 1100A's and existing LaserJet printers will service the needs of the Woodmoulding MIS

The new generation HP LaserJet 1100 series sets another impressive pace, delivering a stunning 8 pages per minute print speed. The 600 dpi print resolution with HP's Resolution Enhancement technology (REt) makes every document more professional.

The HP LaserJet 1100 will provide desktop access and form control to users printing specialized forms such as payroll checks, accounts payable checks and invoices. Fully configured the Woodmoulding MIS would include 3 HP LaserJet 1100's or equivalent.

Epson 636 scanner - editors choice for simple 600 DPI scanning. Use to get paper source documents online for reference. OCR technology is inadequate to use as data entry. Intent is intermittent use - not scanning all inbound documentation.

Communications
Covers three functions: inbound RAS; facsimile transmission; internet access (including email). These three functions will be covered by two modems and a choice of several internet access options. Click the images to view the respective web sites.

The US Robotics 56K Faxmodem is a reliable, well supported V.90 modem for where appropriate in the system. Additionally, the US Robotics 56K Faxmodem operates well with the Web Ramp as described below.

WebRamp 300e is an integrated analog router and 4-port Ethernet hub designed to increase your productivity on the Internet. WebRamp 300e is an affordable way to give everyone Internet access. The WebRamp 300e allows up to 3 external V.90 modems. The WebRamp 300e is a very cost effective approach to shared internet access when bandwidth is not critical (email). The economics of additional user accounts and phone lines make the multiplexing less effective than it initially appears

Only one technology platform can offer nationwide access to the Internet at speeds of up to 400 kbps today. That technology is DirecPC� from Hughes Network Systems (HNS). The DirecPC Turbo Internet � service, which is three times faster than ISDN and 14 times faster than a standard 28.8 modem, is the fastest and most affordable Internet access service available everywhere in the continental US today satellite.

The DirecPC internet access system requires the user to broadcast requests via ordinary modem and then receive responses via the satellite. Downloads, that portion coming from the satellite, normally are 10X the volume of uploads, that portion leaving via modem. This disparity in traffic makes the DirecPC quite effective. The major catch is that options for a networked connection are limited, see discussion in Proxy Server below and take a look at SatServ 8.0 for an alternative.

Microsoft� Proxy Server 2.0, a component of the SBS, is an extensible firewall and Web cache server that provides Internet security while improving network response time and efficiency. This product is redefining the Web caching and firewall categories by providing both capabilities in a single product.

Proxy Server 2.0, as a function of the cache server feature, allows multiple machines to see one internet connection. That single internet connection can be a modem or a lease line. There is some question as to whether that connection can include a satellite connection. Once an answer to that question is obtained, the true utility of Proxy Server will be clear.

U S WEST FaxPower Not really hardware and not really software, FaxPower is an internet based fax service that provides desktop paperless-source faxing. FaxPower installs as a printer on the client system allowing the user to send a fax simply by selecting a printer. Since it is internet based - there is little if any operating overhead - FaxPower grabs the client internet connection and transmits the document to a server - the server then faxes the document to the destination fax machine. FaxPower then confirms delivery of the fax to the sender. From the perspective of the receiver it looks like a document was printed and faxed. From the perspective of the user - the print-pick-fax-retrieve routine is reduced to print.

The Pipeline 75 is an Ethernet-to-ISDN bridge/router that gives telecommuters and remote offices the flexibility to step up to the latest in digital technology without leaving the analog world behind. With this product, you can establish seamless connections that deliver voice and data between home offices and the corporate network or the Internet. The Pipeline 75 offers a bandwidth-on-demand capability that dynamically manages these connections to give users the throughput necessary for all remote networking needs.

ISDN is an acronym for Integrated Services Digital Network -- a high-speed digital technology that can help your growing business by supporting a wide range of applications, including voice, data and video transmission. Sprint ISDN BRI (Basic Rate Interface) is a data connectivity tool ideal for small businesses