Technical Specifications

Advanced software architecture

Architecture

Xpect's system architecture is based on industry standard tools and 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 retrieves and displays dynamic content from the SQL database in real time. Update the price of a stock item once and it is instantly reflects across all your branches and your website.

Xpect client software operates on industry standard hardware running Windows 2000, XP or Vista. Xpect server software operates on industry standard hardware running Windows 2000 Server, 2003 Server or Small Business Server software. The server software can run on your existing server hardware and network, or if you prefer the no hassles approach, CIBIS 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.

Security

An installed Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate allows the website to encrypt personally identifiable customer information (PII) including credit card details for online payments. A secure e-Payment Gateway handles the process of accepting or denying payment from credit cards (AMEX/Diners/MasterCard/Visa) in real time.

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 2000 Server, 2003 Server or Small Business Server operating system and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or 2005.

Minimum SERVER requirements - Pentium 4 / 2GHz processor and 1GB RAM.

Disk space requirements depend on number of records. Xpect can be run on one or two server configurations. We recommend two servers are used (web and database server) for greater security. For the database server SQL performance is greatly improved by using dual/quad core/xeon processors and 4GB of RAM.

MINIMUM Workstation REQUIREMENTS

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

• Pentium 4 1GHZ
• 256 colour video card
• Screen of a resolution 1024 x 768
• 512 MB RAM
• 200 MB free disk space
• Windows 2000, XP or Vista operating system.

Network

Stores may be connected over the Internet using broadband. Virtual Private Networking (VPN) software can be utilised for data security although a hardware based router, firewall, VPN solution is recommended.

* Although there are no program limits on the number of records, acceptable performance 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.