Software Platform

storagement requires certain hardware and software platforms. The compatibility of components and systems not mentioned below can be checked in individual cases. Individual or proprietary hardware will however in many cases not be covered by our customer support and update policy, without prior adaptation of storagement.

Client / Server concept

• PC access over ODBC and rsql (in-house development)
• Web control post as separate client application based on Java /rsql
• storagement as client of a host computer (e.g. SAP/R3)

Server hardware and operating systems

storagement is developed and optimized by specialists for UNIX systems and MS Windows NT. Multi-user-ability and multi-processing, interactivity and on-line processing are used throughout. All usual hardware platforms are supported. Of course we will consult with you during the selection and procurement of the optimal systems.

Operating systems

• UNIX System V (Release 4): NCR, SCO, SNI (ab 5.42, Sun (Solaris ab 2.6), Tandem (NonStop-UX ab C21), Unisys
• UNIX Sonstige: IBM AIX ab 4.x, HP-UX ab 10.x, SGI IRIX ab 5.2, Linux z.B. SuSE 7.2
• MS Windows NT/2000/XP: at request, no standard version

Server systems

storagement runs on server systems of known manufacturers like Acer, Bull, Fujitsu-Siemens (Risc), HP (Risc), IBM (Risc), Intel-/AMD-compatible servers.

Minimum requirements:

• 256 MB main memory
• 3x9 GB disk storage, hotswappable
• 1 DAT drive or similar archiving device
• UPS 700VA
• Ethernet
• reduntant power supply

With RISC hardware, the memory and disk space values must be at least doubled. The system performance must be specified for individual cases.

When using simple display terminals, sufficient serial interfaces for the attachment of peripheral devices, e.g. additional terminals, radio data transmission units, printers, etc. should be available.

Alternatively, client PCs or workstations can be connected to the network, see below. The computer can then be configured as a UNIX server. This only requires an Ethernet link and TCP/IP software for the attachment of client PCs and TCP/IP-based data radio systems.

Windows NT/2000/XP technology

For smaller applications of up to 6 on-line mobile users storagement can be adapted for Windows NT. A database system with a "workgroup server" license can be used. For security and performance reasons we however recommend Linux.

Security

To make the system operation as fail safe as possible we optionally recommend an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) as well as an additional disk storage capacity of 4 GB and software for disk mirroring. Alternatively a Disk Array (RAID) can be used. Multi-processor technology or warm standby systems are recommended and available.

Client hardware and operating systems

storagement servers can be used with different client systems, e.g. PCs with Linux, OS/2, MS Windows (95, NT) or UNIX workstations. The system should have the following characteristics:

• TCP/IP software with telnet and LPD and/or Web browser
• 3D viewing software (blaxxun or cosmo)
• interfaces for the connection of local printers
• keyboard with the possibility of connecting bar code reading devices
• robust, ergonomic, reliable.

We do recommend Linux systems.

Database technology

All current relational data bases (SQL-enabled) with transaction support can be used to which a C interface is available, e.g.:

• INFORMIX: from IDS 7/9 upwards, Enterprise or Workgroup
• ORACLE 7/8: Enterprise or Workgroup

User interface

The user interfaces are implemented in Java, access takes place with Web browsers over an Intranet.

Character oriented interfaces can be used with simple terminals. However, support for this technology will cease in a few years.

Software development

storagement is continuously being developed with common tools: "C" and "Java", proprietary software tools and user interface design tools. Programming languages are:

• C
• C++
• 4GL, database tools
• Java (WWW GUI)
• storagement/devpak: special case tools

Peripheral devices

Radio frequency online dialog systems

ptimal warehouse processes are achieved by using mobile on-line technology. All narrow band and broadband systems with TCP/IP communication and terminal emulation or telnet can be used with storagement, e.g. systems from Belgravium, LXE, Symbol, Teklogix, Intermec/Norand, GAI.

Printers

Barcode-enabled printers of the following brands:

• All printers with EPSON emulation (9 and 24 needles)
• All printers with HP PCL3 and higher
• OKI microline 3xx, 5xx.
• Mannesmann Tally needle printer
• Label printers UBI (fingerprint types), METO (SP40, 8500), ZEBRA, Markpoint (also mobile printers)

Other printers can be used after adaptation of the software.

Terminals

When using simple terminals, we recommend terminals with vt100 emulation.

Interfaces

Customized interfaces

Due to a large base of interfaces and an intelligent architecture, storagement can be integrated in almost every IT structure, and almost all logistics processes can be modelled. Various customized interfaces have been implemented (among others Bosch, Ecosan, Toyo, Hugo Boss etc.).

Standard interfaces

The following interfaces have been implemented:

• AMIC A.eins
• BPD (Belgian Parcel Service)
• AC-Service AG "BOVAC"
• CAL
• Deutsche Post
• DHL
• DPD (German Parcel Service)
• EDIFACT (Converter needed)
• Fortras, IDS
• GPS (German Parcel)
• Mistral (Schenker Deutschland AG)
• NPD (Dutch Parcel Service)
• SAP R/3 and R/2
• System-Gut
• UPS
• UNIFIS (Danzas)
• PAS

Our general host interface, "genls", is suitable for the connection to all kinds of material management and ERP systems.

User support

Modems, ISDN routing and a ISDN-TCP/IP-gateway are used for user support, program updates and troubleshooting.