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flowerSoft
has very few hardware requirements.
It will run on any computer running Windows, from Windows 95 to Windows Vista. We
recommend Windows XP Professional. We do not recommend Windows Vista 64-bit Edition, not because flowerSoft will not
run on it but because other programs, such as Dove have problems running in it. Visdows Vista 64-bit edition does not
offer any significant advantage to a florist at the present time or forseeable future.
If you are contemplating a multi-user
network solution, we recommend Windows 2003 Server or Windows 2003 Small Business Edition Server. Novell servers are excellent
and also supported. They are a requirement if you are still running a Mercury 3000 computer. However, it is becoming increasingly
difficult to find techs that are proficient at installing and supporting Novell networks.
Because of that we recommend
you switch to the Mercury Direct option and install a Windows server.
The computers (clients) should have 1GB of
RAM and at least a 40GB hard drive if you are running Windows XP.
Flat screen monitors, although more money that regular
crt monitors, save a considerable amount of desk/counter space which is always at a premium in most flower shops.
Printers
This is the area where flowerSoft has a requirement.
You need to have a laser printer that is PCL5e capable.
Although there are many of such printers out there, we recommend the Dell or HP laser printers. Specifically, we recommend
the Dell 1700DN (most inexpensive), the HP1320 (moderate cost), the HP P2015 or HP2400 (more money) or the HP4350
(most expensive of the 3). With the HP2400 and the HP4350 you have the option of getting an additional paper drawer, something
we highly recommend.
Recently, flowerSoft users have reported that the Samsung ML2851ND works well with flowerSoft.
If you need/want 2 drawers, make sure that the additional drawer is available. It wasn't the last time we checked.
If you are considering a single-user system and you are going to install flowerSoft in the same computer where the Dove
and/or Mercury Direct programs are running and you are considering the HP1320 printer, make sure you get a parallel port cable.
The reason for this is that with a printer with only one removable drawer, your Dove and/or Mercury orders and confirmations
will print over the flowerSoft forms. To avoid this, you can get a printer with at least 2 removable drawers so that flowerSoft
can print to one of the drawers and the Dove/Mercury can print to the other; or you can get an inexpensive injet printer (some
are less that $50) and connect it to the USB port in your computer. You can then make this printer your default Windows
printer so that Dove and Mercury will print there. flowerSoft will then print to the laser printer.
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