Hardware Requirements

The following are Hardware Recommendations for the StockTrac® Enterprise Shop Management System. We will outline suggested equipment configurations to optimize effective use of the system. Please keep in mind that as this recommendation is being written, newer and faster systems are being introduced to the market. Therefore, if your new system exceeds the following recommended specifications, your Enterprise software will perform even better. It is designed to run under the following operating systems:

      • Windows NT
      • Windows 2000
      • Windows XP (All Versions)
      • Windows Vista
      • Windows 2003 Server
      • Windows 2008 Server
      • Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit)

StockTrac® runs flawlessly under Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system and most of the partner integrations, i.e., Activant, Alldata, etc. However, we don't recommend using Vista if you plan to use any existing legacy equipment such as dot matrix or laser printers, old monitors, etc. Only use Vista if you plan on using it with all new hardware, and even then make sure that the laser printer that you choose is supported under Vista.

Note: Enterprise requires Internet access (High-Speed connection recommended) at the shop along with email capabilities.  If your installation of StockTrac® is to be used in a multi-shop environment you may also need Symantec's PCAnyWhere installed on your computer for communications between the remote shops and the hub computer.

Server and Stand-Alone System

      • Intel Pentium IV 2.8 Ghz processor or AMD AthlonXP 2500 (or better )
      • 2 Gigabytes of DDR or DDR2 (Dual Channel) memory (RAM)
      • 160Gb 7200RPM Hard Drive or Higher (NCQ Recommended)
      • Integrated Graphics or Video card with 8Mb RAM
      • DVD-ROM Drive for Catalogs and Labor Guides
      • Gigabit Ethernet (Network Interface Card)
      • Linksys, D-Link or Netgear router with Gigabit Network Switch
      • High-Speed Broadband Connection- DSL, Cable, etc.
      • Flash Drive 1 Gb or greater
      • Online Data Backup Subscription, i.e. Carbonite® , or Mozy®
      • Windows 7 (32 or 64 bit)

Workstation System

The following items are considered Standard and should be included on any hardware purchased:

      • 17" or better LCD or CRT Monitor
      • 101 Key Keyboard
      • Optical Mouse

Minimum System Requirements

The following are the minimum system specifications to effectively utilize StockTrac®software. Systems with lesser capabilities than outlined below may experience difficulty in the effective use of the software system. This is for a single, stand-alone (non-networked) computer or for a workstation system.

      • 2 GHz Pentium4 or Athlon XP Processor
      • 1 Gigabyte of memory (RAM)
      • 80 Gb (Gigabyte) Hard Drive
      • Gigabit Network Card
      • Windows 7 (32 or 64 Bit)
      • Integrated Graphics or Video card with 8Mb RAM
      • Plus Standard Equipment as outlined above

Not Recommended!

      • Celeron, Duron or Sempron Processors
      • SDRAM, Especially less than 256Mb
      • Less than 80Gb (gigabyte) Hard Drive
      • Windows 95, 98, 98SE or ME

RECOMMENDED PRINTERS

StockTrac® Enterprise will work with any Windows compatible printer such as Laser, Ink Jet, or Newer Dot Matrix printers. For best printing quality and performance we highly recommend a laser printer.  Enterprise also supports the Dymo LabelWriter 330 and 330 Turbo printers for warranty label printing.  Because Enterprise is a Windows product, it will only work with printers that have actual Windows Graphics Drivers available for them. Unfortunately, this does not include Okidata 182's and 184's. If you choose to use dot matrix printers you will need to upgrade to at least a Okidata 320.

There have been issues in the past with many HP printers. We would recommend most Dell printers, as well as Okidata, Brother, Cannon, etc. When purchasing a laser printer make sure that you check with the printer vendor or manufacturer to make sure that it is supported by your operating system, i.e., Vista, XP, etc.

StockTrac®also supports the Zebra TLP-2824 Plus thermal printer shown above. This is used at point-of-sale for printing static-cling "Return For Service" labels used when providing oil changes. Janco can supply the printer, ribbons, cable and static-cling labels at competitive prices.

 

Important Note

We currently do not recommend HP LaserJet printers as we have found certain models (1300, 1320, 2500) to have some printer-driver issues. If you plan on using an HP printer, just make sure that it's compatible with your StockTrac® system.

Please contact Janco International at 1-800-782-5872 (U.S.) or 1-800-323-5872 (Canada) if you have any questions concerning the above specifications or to review your existing equipment.