1 Install scenario client-server

SOFT-SOLUTIONS is a client-server application. Client-server communication is based on TCP/IP and ODBC data sources. It is not necessary to connect network drives between client and server (SQL database).

NOTE
SOFT-SOLUTIONS is supported on 64-bit versions of operating and database systems, which are listed below.

1.1 Microsoft SQL database system

The end date of Microsoft's mainstream support must always be observed.

The following Microsoft SQL database systems are supported:

Microsoft SQL 2019 / 2022

The Microsoft SQL Express Edition is a database system from Microsoft, the license of which allows free use for any purpose without a written agreement.

If you wish to install SOFT-SOLUTIONS on a SQL standard database server, it must already be installed and configured at the time of installation.



NOTE
We recommend using the current patch level.
The Full–Text Search feature must be installed and enabled.





NOTE
The use of Microsoft SQL Server on a domain controller is strongly discouraged. This notice originates from Microsoft directly, please see:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/security-considerations-for-a-sql-server-installation?view=sql-server-ver16
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/security-considerations-for-a-sql-server-installation?view=sql-server-ver16#Install_DC

1.2 Oracle database system

The following Oracle database system is supported:

Oracle 19c

NOTE
We recommend using the current patch level.
The Oracle Text feature must be installed and enabled.

NOTE



Installations of soft-clock on Oracle database system are not supported.

1.3 Database server

Special services are required for the communication between SOFT-SOLUTIONS modules and external systems as well as for certain features – these can be installed directly on the database server.

The following points should be noted:

Operating system Windows Server 2016 / 2019 / 2022, Standard or Datacenter only
Database system

Microsoft SQL 2019 / 2022, Oracle 19c

Processor Up-to-date processor technology for business server
Memory (RAM) At least 4 GB free and an additional 2 GB is required for each additional operation in an instance/database with approx. 20 concurrent users
Space
  • At least 100 GB free hard disk quota (current RAID technology recommended)
  • In addition, at least 100 GB is required for each additional instance/database
Network adapter At least 1 Gbit/s

NOTE
Core and Nano Server installations are not supported. Keep your system (operating system, browser, etc.) up to date always.

1.4 Client

Operating system Windows 10 / 11, Professional or Enterprise only*
Processor Up-to-date processor technology for business workstation
Memory (RAM) Recommended depending on the operating system, but at least 8 GB
Space At least 100 GB free hard disk quota
Network adapter At least 1 Gbit/s
Screen resolution
  • From 1280 x 1024 pixels, at least 16-bit colors, currently no 4k or higher is supported
  • Default setting of the Windows display (the application display is optimized to the default setting of the Windows display option for DPI, text, and elements)
Browser Current version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge

NOTE
Windows operating systems with an active firewall can experience problems unless they have been specially configured. Keep your system (operating system, browser, etc.) up to date always.
* SOFT-SOLUTIONS itself runs in 32-bit mode in 64-bit environments, while the services run in 64-bit mode. The ODBC driver must be used and configured in the 32-bit version.

NOTE
Some functions and modules of SOFT-SOLUTIONS, such as the soft-welcome show, are based on Embedded Web Application (EWA). As of SOFT-SOLUTIONS version x.23.10, the corresponding Microsoft Runtime environment Microsoft Edge WebView2 is required, which should be included by default in the current Windows operating system. Server operating systems may require you to install this feature. Older runtime environments – e.g. based on Internet Explorer 11 – are no longer supported.

1.5 Branch connections

In principle, a branch can be connected to the database server via a remote data transmission. However, sufficient line capacity must be made available for this purpose.

NOTE
The connection via a standard fixed connection is not recommended.

NOTE



VPN connections via DSL without the use of a terminal server are not supported by soft-nrg Development GmbH.

2 Install scenario Terminal server

2.1 Windows Terminal server

Operating system Windows Server 2016 / 2019 / 2022, Standard or Datacenter only
Processor
  • Up-to-date processor technology for business server
  • Approx. one processor core for 10 users
    For example, if you have 40 users, this results in 4 processor cores (40 users / 10 users per core = 4 cores).
Memory (RAM)

Approx. 100 MB per user, but at least 2 GB
For example, if you have 40 users, this will result in 4 GB of RAM.

You should also calculate the RAM requirements for the operating system.

Space At least 100 GB free hard disk quota
Network adapter At least 1 Gbit/s
Printer Configured for Terminal Server use
Remote Desktop Client Installed on the workstations
Branch connection
  • Depending on the number of workstations
  • RDP Protocol ca. 40 Kbit/s pro Client
  • ICA-Protocol ca. 14,4 Kbit/s pro Client


NOTE
To size the terminal server – depending on the number of users accessing – the following rules of thumb must be observed:
The terminal server should have about 100 MB of additional RAM per user, as well as a hard disk quota of at least 500 MB. The more users working on the terminal server, the higher the clock speed of the processors should be. No more than 10 users per processor core are recommended.

The available hardware is statistically divided according to the number of users, with the terminal server dynamically allocating its resources. This means that if a user needs more resources than others, they are dynamically allocated to him.

For performance reasons, the terminal server should not use the same hardware as the database server, rather should access it like a normal client. The same system requirements apply to the database server as described in Chapter 1 – Install scenario client-server.

2.2 Citrix Terminal server

SOFT-SOLUTIONS can also be operated on terminal servers in conjunction with Citrix. The use of Citrix incurs additional licensing costs.

NOTE
The same system requirements apply to this application as described in Chapter 2.1 – Windows Terminal server.

3 File system

Only NTFS and ReFS are supported as file systems on Windows systems.

4 Use of virus scanners

If virus scanners are used on workstations and database servers, appropriate exceptions (on-access and on-demand) must be set up on the database files and the program folders as well as the deploy directory of SOFT-SOLUTIONS.

5 Backup

We recommend regular backups of the SOFT-SOLUTIONS database to an external medium. When using backup tools, it is important to ensure correct configuration.

NOTE
Please note that databases cannot be backed up during operation without appropriate support from the backup tool.

6 Firewall and Proxy

Due to high availability and the protection of our SOFT-SOLUTIONS, you may need to allow certain outbound IP address ranges/FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) and/or ports.

If there are any connection problems, our helpdesk will assist you.

Whitelist outbound

HTTPS and WSS (Web Socket Secure):

TCP port 443

NOTE
If you are using a proxy server with authentication, we recommend using a separate user.

7 Further requirements soft-clock

The soft-clock modules must be connected to the server either via UNC path or via drive link. Communication with the database server is done via ODBC.

NOTE
soft-clock databases are case sensitive. Therefore, you may need to create your own Microsoft SQL instance to support this. Please also refer to Chapter 1.1 – Microsoft SQL database system.

Barcode scanner

The barcodes supported by soft-clock have the font Code 39 Extended or Code 39 Full ASCII. These fonts must be supported by your barcode scanner.

The following settings must be made during configuration:

  • German Character Set / Keyboard
  • No check digits
  • No prefix
  • No suffix
  • Fonts Code 39 Extended and/or Code 39 Full ASCII

8 Further requirements soft-communicator

Phone

Please note that the installation and configuration of the telephone components must be ensured before the installation of soft-communicator by the customer (e.g. installation and configuration of the TAPI driver of the telephone system, etc.).

The soft-communicator can only use telephony functions that are also provided and supported by the customer's TAPI driver. soft-nrg Development GmbH can check in advance which functions are available through the installed TAPI driver.

3rd party driver on a server (recommended) A TAPI driver must be installed and fully configured on a central server that has a connection to the telephone system. The driver must support at least Microsoft TAPI V2.0 standard.
1st party driver on the local workstation

A TAPI driver must be installed and fully configured on each local workstation that has a connection to the telephone system. The driver must support at least Microsoft TAPI V2.0 standard.

With this option, an additional SOFT-SOLUTIONS service is installed on each workstation.

Server In both above-mentioned options, SOFT-SOLUTIONS services are set up on a server. The workstations on which SOFT-SOLUTIONS are installed communicate in the network with the corresponding service on the server.

Messaging

To use messaging, the SOFT-SOLUTIONS client requires a connection to the database.

E-mail

To transfer e-mail addresses from SOFT-SOLUTIONS, an e-mail program must be installed on the local computer and fully configured.

9 Further requirements soft-welcome

soft-welcome in the client-server network

To present your service appointments as well as your individual marketing campaigns, you need an appropriately equipped workplace.

Only one welcome show can be started per workstation. If you want to display different shows on different devices, you will need a separate PC for each.

If you would like to use an alternative display device/TV for presentations, we recommend the following hardware components:

  • a suitable graphics card with a suitable connection to the desired display device/TV
  • Appropriately sized display device/TV

The display device/TV is connected to the PC via the compatible port. The distance between the PC and the display device/TV should not exceed 5 meters.

For presentations on widescreen screens, you need a graphics card that supports the resolution of the display device/TV. If you have any questions about this, please contact your respective hardware supplier.

NOTE
The same system requirements apply as described in Chapter 1.4 – Client.
The PC must be integrated into your network. If a computer is used for soft-welcome, it cannot be used as a workstation at the same time.

soft-welcome when using a terminal server

If you are using a terminal server (Windows Terminal server / Citrix), soft-welcome will still be installed locally on the PC. The same minimum requirements apply as described above. In addition, the PC must be integrated into your network.

NOTE
The use of soft-welcome directly on the Terminal server / Citrix is not supported.

10 Web applications (SaaS)

10.1 General system requirements

Browser Current version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge
LTE or Wi-Fi
(Network connection)
  • At least Wi-Fi 802.11g or higher
  • At least 1 Mbps upload (at least 10 Mbps recommended for more efficient media upload)

10.2 Further requirements soft-messenger

With soft-messenger, messages can be sent from within SOFT-SOLUTIONS. For this purpose, a working internet connection is required from each workstation. The transmission is secured using the HTTPS protocol.

Encoding (SMS)

All messages are sent in the GSM 03.38 (7-bit) standard alphabet. In this encoding, up to 160 characters/message can be transmitted. If a different character is found in a message, the application encodes the entire message in Unicode UCS-2 (16-bit). This allows up to 70 characters/message to be transmitted.

NOTE
Further information can be found on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_03.38.

10.3 Further requirements soft-confirm

For smart video communication with your customers, soft-confirm is available.

Mobile device requirements:

Operating system
  • IOS 14 or later
  • Android 11 or later
Space At least 4 GB of free memory
Camera Recommended from 3 megapixels with image stabilization, light, and microphone

10.4 Further requirements soft-pad

For direct reception off the vehicle, soft-pad is available.

Mobile device requirements:

Operating system
  • IOS 14 or later
  • Android 11 or later
Display size From 7 inches
Display format

4:3 / 16:9 / 16:10

Camera Recommended from 3 megapixels with image stabilization, light, and microphone