Rx-Link Hardware Requirements/New Systems

(Single User System specifications follow) (Systems USUALLY cost about $1,500.00 PLUS the cost of what ever printers are desired.)

Processor speed/class: We no longer specify a specific chip

We recommend that you get new equipment. The faster the processor, the better.

In general it is better to get a new computer from someone who will respond to your requests for  technical help and support. Crown Software will try and help you with problems associated with your hardware, but if your hardware fails you will want reputable support to help you get it repaired. We do NOT recommend that you take a system from another department, or one that has been "upgraded" to handle the specifications.

Memory: 512 meg

Rx-Link will run faster the more memory there is available.

Monitor: 19 inch Color Monitor

Larger monitors are now fairly cheap. Larger monitors make it easier for the screen to be read. We recommend that a 19 inch monitor be used - BUT. . . we will run on any size monitor the operating system works with. COLOR is required.

Disk Size: 20 gigabyte hard disk

New computer systems usually come with a 20 gigabyte hard disk or larger. Rx-Link USUALLY only uses up to 500 meg or so of data space. If you are planning on multi-user system - you will need to have available at all times about 1 gig for the pharmacy system usage.

Externals and peripherals:

External Telephone line:

We have found that trying to connect through a PBX phone line can be problematic. We ask that you have an external phone line near your computer connected to the modem so that higher speed connections can be made to support your software. If you have internet access without going through a firewall we can use that for support instead of an outside line. We will not install our software without the ability to support it with pcANYWHERE. A phone line or internet connection is mandatory. If you are multi-user you will need to give some consideration to having multiple terminals access the same phone line.

CD-Rom with sound card

Windows does not allow DOS programs to BEEP when there are error messages. Many programs are now supplied only on CD. This sound card and CD ROM allow for easy installation of programs and error message communication. (Please note: some inexpensive speakers will be required to make the sound card effective.) Remember that speakers will be necessary to hear sound.

Tape Backup for Hard Disk - A mechanism for backup is required.

Options:

   1. Back up to the network and let the network tape backup cover the pharmacy

   2. Backup to CDRW

   3. Backup to Tape

We recommend a local tape backup even if you are on a network because the pharmacy at times will require a restore to be done on a weekend when the hospital's MIS staff are not readily available.  We have had some initial good success with the HP SureStore DAT 40i tape drive and the TAPEWARE software that comes with it - it seems fast and reliable.

If you opt for a CDRW for backup please make sure that you can copy to it using a batch file. Create a batch file that copies some files to the CDRW and make sure that they appear there without an error. This MAY require the deluxe version of Adaptecs/Roxio software (version 4 or 5).

56k modem

The pharmacy regularly will download large files over the modem. Crown Software also will log on as needed to update and help with the program using pcANYWHERE. This will require a fast modem. We recommend an EXTERNAL modem as they are easier to troubleshoot and reset should this be necessary. This should be a fax modem NOT a winmodem. If the pharmacy is on the internet and not behind a firewall then an internet connection can work to connect with pcANYWHERE as well. (Multi-users will need to consider having a modem in each computer so that each terminal can be supported remotely.)

NOTE: WINMODEMS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE! pcANYWHERE has problems with them. If you test it and it works with pcANYWHERE then it is acceptable to us.

1.44 floppy drive

We require that the system have the ability to read and write to a 1.44 meg floppy. You can purchase a floppy with a higher capacity but the ability to read and write to a 1.44 meg floppy drive is required.

Battery Backup for CPU

The battery backup must hold up the CPU and monitor only. We require that the battery backup be plugged into a RED emergency power plug. Since most emergency generators kick on in several seconds having a battery backup that can hold up the CPU for 5-10 minutes is usually enough.

Journal Printer

Since Rx-Link prints many legally required logs and printouts that the pharmacy staff use on a daily basis. A fast and good quality print on the Journal Printer is a good idea. For this reason we recommend that you purchase a laser printer with a large paper holding tray (at least 250 sheets). We recommend that you get at least a 6 ppm printer. Dot matrix printers will work but printers with the duty cycle and throughput for this purpose are much more expensive than laser. (We STRONGLY recommend that you NOT purchase a LEXMARK printer. We have had clients that have had failures with this brand of printer.) 

NOTE: We do NOT support USB printers. ZEBRA printers are also not supported on the DOS product.

Operating Systems: Windows ME is NOT acceptable and will not work with our software.

IV Label Printer

The IV Label printer will print IV labels and other labels used by the pharmacy. The faster this printer is - the happier the pharmacy will be. It needs to have "push" instead of "pull" for paper since pull printers will waste a lot more labels than a push printer. We have found that the OKIDATA 320 is an inexpensive work horse IV label printer. The Okidata 184 is NOT an acceptable printer since it is a PULL printer.

Two printer ports

Rx-Link prints on labels and regular paper at the same time. This requires TWO printers and therefore two printer ports must be installed in your machine. These should be in the computer before the installer gets there.

Windows 98 SE (Second Edition) (This is the default and recommended operating system software)

Rx-Link will work on Windows 95 OSR2 if that is what you need/have. However, if you are purchasing a new computer, we recommend that you get Windows 98.  It will work on Windows 2000 but if you have a single station stand alone system we strongly recommend Windows 98 Second Edition.  (Please note that Windows ME is NOT supported as it will NOT work.)

pcANYWHERE 32 (version 10.5 or greater)

Crown Software technical support can log onto your computer for support, updates and help. To do this we require that pcANYWHERE 32 for Windows be installed on your terminal.  (Multi-users should have pcANYWHERE on each terminal so that it can be supported remotely. Each terminal will need access to a phone line.) If pcANYWHERE is NOT installed support may not be available since our support staff cannot log onto your machine.

Anti-virus software:   (if desired)

This is up to the individual site and their IS department. We use Norton's Antivirus in our offices and have found them to be responsive and have not had any problems. We test all of our software before release (updates included) for viruses and will not infect your computer when we log on.

Multi-user considerations:

Generally the faster the terminal speed - the faster response the user will have. We recommend that you plan on 100 mbps connections to your server at all times. The printer (Jet Direct) connections can be at 10 mbps.

There are TWO network operating systems we support:

NT 4.0 Service pack 4 or greater and Win2K: We require that you have 100 mbps connection to the server to run on NT with Microsoft's latest client. No hubs - only switches as they reduce collisions. Network connections require network cards and additional hardware. The hospital is responsible for the network or contracting with someone to support the network. Each terminal does NOT need duplication of each of the peripherals. For example: using print capture we can share printers. (It would be a good idea to have some duplication so that if a printer goes down you have some options.) We recommend that you use JetDirect ports for printers so that no terminal has to be responsible for printing and spooling. (In other words - we recommend that you have printers that are available to the network and not dedicated to a machine.) Each terminal does need its own battery backup. We need to be able to dial in to each PC so a modem and phone line connection need to be on each terminal or an internet connection for pcANYWHERE. When we come on site to install we assume that the hardware is working and ready for us. Time that we have to spend on hardware installation and repair will detract from training time. Call Crown Software at (254) 526-5364 if you have any hardware questions.

Novell 3.11 or greater: If you are going multi-user we require NOVELL's client 32 version 3.1. Currently later versions of NOVELL's client have some locking problems, so Version 3.1 is the required client.  Microsoft's client 32 will NOT work for us on a NOVELL system. Microsoft's client does not support Novell's locking API's. Network connections require network cards and additional hardware. The hospital is responsible for the network or contracting with someone to support the network. Each terminal does NOT need duplication of each of the peripherals. For example: using print capture we can share printers. (It would be a good idea to have some duplication so that if a printer goes down you have some options.) We need the ability to log into each terminal we must support with pcANYWHERE.  When we come on site to install we assume that the hardware is working and ready for us. Time that we have to spend on hardware installation and repair will detract from training time. Regardng bandwidth -  The best is a 100 mbps dedicated segment on the LAN. Call Crown Software at (254) 526-5364 if you have any hardware questions.

Please Note: The technical support staff will TRY to determine what is wrong when you call in. If it is hardware related we can frequently help and will do our best to do so. . . IF however the problem is determined to be your hardware, you will need your IS people or someone in house or on contract to come in and help remedy the situation.  

We STRONGLY recommend that you NOT download software from the internet and run it on your business computers unless you are VERY familiar with what you are doing. We have had users download AOL  and totally mess up their systems.