Technical Specifications

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. If you would like more technical information on Xpect please contact us with specific requests. Of course we're equally open to requests for less technical explanations, too.

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 resolution: 1024 x 768
  • 1GB RAM
  • 200 MB free disk space
  • Windows XP or Windows 7 operating system

Networking & Security

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.

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, Master Card, Visa) in real time.

Server Requirements

Xpect can be installed on any standard PC-compatible server running:

  • Microsoft 2000 Server
  • Microsoft 2003 Server
  • Microsoft 2008 Server
  • Small Business Server operating system
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or 2008

Minimum Server Requirement: Pentium 4 / 2GHz processor and 2GB RAM

Disk space requirements depend on the 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 dedicated to SQL.

System Architecture

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 website retrieves and displays dynamic content from the SQL database in real time. Update the price of a stock item once and it is instantly reflected across all your branches and your website.

  • Xpect client software operates on industry standard hardware running Windows, XP or Windows 7.
  • Xpect server software operates on industry standard hardware running Windows 2000 Server, 2003 Server, 2008 Server or Small Business Server software.

Server Options

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.

We handle maintenance, patches, backups, and security. You simply access the server application over a secure internet connection.