Download Appraisal Wizard Requirements

Appraisal Wizard Requirements V1.0
Appraisal Wizard V6 / Model Wizard Requirements
The information bellows applies equally to both Appraisal Wizard and Model Wizard.
Model Wizard is always installed with Appraisal Wizard but may only be opened in
“view” mode if Model Wizard has not been purchased.
Architecture Diagram
A. Operating System
The Operating System must be 32 bit Windows operating system (XP, 2000, NT, '98,ME,
‘95). Windows ’95 is not preferred.
B. Memory
There are no unusual memory requirements. Modern off the shelf PC's days have more
than enough memory to run Wizard. Using an MS Office product at the same time could
strain a PC with very low memory. ISD corporate laptops which are used for appraisal
and training events have 512MB of memory running Windows 2000 and experience no
problems even when acting as the "server" during appraisal events.
C. Disk Storage
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Appraisal Wizard Requirements V1.0
The software will require about 60 MB storage on the server machine, and about 45 MB
on the client. The database size on the server is initially approximately 15MB in size.
With many appraisals in the database it will grow. We’ve seem databases grow to
200MB prior to space compression (by performing a database backup / restore action).
D. Processor
The processor should be at least a Pentium. Faster is always better, but certainly a 400
MHZ Pentium or better will provide acceptable response. If the PC is also acting as a
server for other Appraisal Wizard clients, this could become a factor in performance so a
higher processor speed is recommended.
E. Communication Protocol
The TCP / IP protocol should be installed. It is rare to find a PC that does not have this
since it is used for internet / intranet access. When multiple laptops are being networked
together so that Appraisal Wizard users can operate together in the same database, the
TCP/IP protocol is used to communicate from the client machines to the machine acting
as the server. If Appraisal Wizard is installed on a single PC and is to be operated
exclusively on that PC, networking is not necessary.
F. DHCP Capable Router
Since TCP/IP is being used, the IP addresses in use by the different client PCs must be
compatible in order to connect and operate. When a mini-network is being established
for purposes of performing an appraisal or training, a DHCP capable router can ensure
that compatible IP addresses are handed out to each PC connected to the router. When
the network in use is a pre-established corporate network, IP address compatibility has
(typically) already been addressed.
For purposes of conducting training or performing appraisals, mini-networks are
preferred. This is due to the fact that non-corporate personnel are typically involved and
it may be difficult or impossible to provide these people access to the corporate network
environment.
G. Microsoft Office
Many Appraisal Wizard outputs and inputs are designed to be MS Office compatible.
This includes importing from and exporting to worksheets, generating PowerPoint
presentations and MS Word documents. Microsoft Office '97 or better is needed to
exercise these office related functions.
H. Printer
There should be at least one printer configured / defined for any PC that has the Appraisal
Wizard Client installed, even if the printer is not connected or available. This is because
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Appraisal Wizard Requirements V1.0
the reporting software in Appraisal Wizard determines report formatting based on printer
page setup default information. Reports cannot be generated if a printer has not been
defined.
I. Network Cables and Cards
Network cables and cards are needed to connect PC’s if they are being networked.
J. Drive Mapping on networked PCs
Due to the client-server nature of Appraisal Wizard, there is NO requirement to provide
shared drives or folders between the PC acting as the server and the PCs running the
Appraisal Wizard client software. All server-client interaction is done via
communications with the Firebird server. The server is listening for communication on
port 3050.
Some appraisal teams have established shared printers and folders on the network to
provide resources accessible to all team members. This may be done but is NOT required
for Appraisal Wizard / Model Wizard operation.
K. Software Components
There are three primary software components installed with Appraisal Wizard off of the
installation CD. These are:
1. Firebird Database Server and Appraisal Wizard Database
These components are installed only on the PC acting as the server. The server
may be a laptop that someone travels with, desktop PC or corporate server.
2. Firebird Client Software
This component allows communication with and transfer of data to and from the
Firebird Server. It is installed on the server and any PCs running the Appraisal
Wizard Client software.
3. Appraisal Wizard Client Software
This component is the Appraisal Wizard application. It communicates with the
Firebird Client Software in order to send and receive data via the Firebird Server.
This component is installed on all PCs that need to run Appraisal Wizard,
including the server.
L. Installation Configurations
There are two basic Appraisal Wizard installation configurations:
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Appraisal Wizard Requirements V1.0
•
The PC acting as the server needs to have components 1 and 2 above installed. By
also installing component 3, the server can run the Appraisal Wizard application
standalone.
•
Any PC acting as a client must have components 2 and 3 above installed. It must
also be able to attach to the PC acting as the server.
M. Firewalls
Firewalls can pose a problem for Appraisal Wizard execution. Any PC acting as a server
must not have port 3050 blocked. If port 3050 is blocked, a connection to the Firebird
server would be prevented.
N. Security
There are two levels of security in Appraisal Wizard:
1. Firebird Server security: Connection to the database server requires a valid user
ID and password. All Appraisal Wizard and Model Wizard users access the
database through a single user ID and password specified at installation time. The
password used is encrypted. The encrypted password is unencrypted when
Appraisal Wizard is executed so that a database connection may be established
without a user knowing what the database password is.
2. Application level security: Every user accessing the applications must have a
valid user ID and password. Each user ID may be restricted to only certain
appraisals, and within appraisals, may be given read-only access to certain types
of data or prohibited from performing specific functions.
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