Technical Specifications - advanced software architecture

System architecture is based on Xpect proprietary software and industry standard Microsoft components. The architecture has been chosen to provide a robust, reliable, secure, flexible and scalable platform.

Microsoft's SQL Server provides a high performance relational database. Xpect is tightly integrated with SQL Server to capitalise on the powerful functionality this software provides. Microsoft's SQL Server together with standard Microsoft components provides the central mechanism for handling all incoming and outgoing e-mail, faxes and SMS.

The web server provides everything required for web site hosting. The web site is designed using Active Server Pages (ASP) to provide a simple and efficient means of retrieving and displaying dynamic content from the SQL database.

An installed Security Certificate allows the site to encrypt sensitive client information such as credit card transactions via Secure Socket Layers (SSL) and an e-Payment Gateway handles the process of accepting or denying payment from credit cards (AMEX/Bankcard/Diners/ Mastercard/Visa) in real time.

Xpect client software operates on industry standard hardware running Windows 95, 98, XP, 2000 or NT. Xpect server software operates on industry standard hardware running Windows NT, 2000 Server. The server software can run on your existing server hardware and network or if you prefer the no hassles approach we can provide hosting of the server software on our high bandwidth, high availability, managed servers. You simply access the server application over a secure internet connection.

Capabilities

• Supports unlimited numbers of stores, warehouses, and POS terminals*.
• Supports extremely high transaction volumes (limited only by your hardware)*.

Requirements

Server(s)
Any standard PC compatible server running Microsoft Windows NT 4 or Windows 2000 Server and Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

Minimum requirements - Pentium III / 1GHz processor and 512 MB RAM.
Disk space requirements depend on number of records. Xpect can be run on one or two server configurations, though two servers (web and database server) is recommended for greater security.

Workstations
Xpect requires a Windows-based personal computer or laptop with the following minimum requirements:

Pentium III or IV 1GHZ
8 bit video card
Screen of a resolution 800 x 600
256 MB RAM
200 MB free disk space

Xpect requires Windows 98, NT 2000, XP or Vista operating system.

Network
Stores may be connected over either the Internet via router and firewall or local phone lines via modem.

Architecture

Xpect has been built around industry standard Microsoft components. An n-tier architecture is used to provide a robust, reliable, secure, flexible and scalable platform.

Xpect uses Microsoft's SQL Server database, providing a high performance relational database. Data backup, recovery, performance tuning, and many of the other features of high-end systems are all available through the SQL Server package.

The e-commerce front end has been built using Microsoft's Active Server Pages (ASP), an industry standard for the delivery of interactive web content.

Security

Security is enhanced through the use of Secure Socket Layers (SSL), ensuring that all information is securely transferred using 128bit encryption. An e-Payment Gateway securely handles the processing of credit card payments in real time (AMEX, Bankcard, Diners, Mastercard, or Visa).

* Although there are no program limits on the number of records, acceptable perfomance may be limited by your hardware specifications including but not limited to processor speed, disk storage, network throughput, internet connectivity and the number of stores, users, customers, stock items, price levels and quantity discounts required. Contact us to discuss your exact requirements.

Want more technical?

If you would like more technical information on Xpect please contact us with specific requests.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding system requirements, architecture, security, installation etc.

Too technical?

If you're a tad overwhelmed with the technical details of Xpect, please contact us so we can give you a 'plain-english' explanation of features.

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