The information in this document is provided to assist in the setup of the ACS (Andreoli Client Software) on workstations accessing HITS^® via the Internet. This document is primarily intended for local hardware companies and/or consultants who are assisting dealers with their in-house computer equipment.

Brief Overview Of ACS

ACS is a thin client module that installs on workstations that have access to the Internet. ACS provides the "client connection" for a dealer to access HITS^® and the dealer's data running on our application servers.

With the ACS properly installed on workstations and mapped to local, available printers, the dealer will essentially enjoy trouble free "dumb terminal" access to the hosted application.

The following are notes, guidelines, and suggestions for maximizing the installation of the ACS client software.

1) Server and Printer Names. Please do not use any special characters or spaces in the server or shared device names. For example, a server name of "SC-09" or a print share name of "printer 01" will not work with the ACS client software. Likewise, \\SERVER-01\PRINTER-BOB will not work, but \\SERVER01\PRINTERBOB will.

We have found that simple computer names such as "SERVER", "FRONT01", "BOOK01", etc., work best. Concurrently, it is easier for us to assist you when the computer names are simple versus a computer name of SA768919981. If you have any questions about server or shared device names, please contact the HITS^® Technical Support Center (HTSC) at 1-800-422-2032. If you are a consultant or system's specialist who is assisting a dealer, be sure to identify the dealer you are assisting.

2) UNC: versus LPTx Printer Mapping. Generally, we can configure the ACS software to output to printers using the printer's UNC: {universal naming convention} name, ex: \\SERVER\PRINTER1. However, if we encounter a problem, it may be necessary for you to route printer output through conventional LPTx ports. If this becomes necessary, you will need to "map" local LPTx ports to the shared printers at each workstation using the "net use" command.

We recommend the mapping of all printers to LPTx ports since there is no penalty in doing so and it exposes them to any application that cannot access shared printers through UNC: names. To map printers, simply issue the appropriate "net use" command at each workstation's command prompt. For example, NET USE LPT1 \\SERVER1\PRINTER1 would map the LPT1 port of a workstation to the shared printer named PRINTER1 attached to SERVER1. To verify each workstation's mappings, simply issue the "NET USE" command at the command prompt with no parameters. A complete listing of mapped devices will be displayed.

Some versions of Windows require that the "net use" mappings be issued any time the computer is shutdown and restarted. Therefore, after mapping the LPTx ports, perform a shutdown and restart of each workstation to confirm that it has retained its "NET USE" mappings. It may be necessary to add the mappings to the start-up file. Consult documentation on each version of Windows for more information on retaining "net use" mappings.

3) USB Printers and Ports. Whether we are able to print to USB printers is highly dependent upon the port configuration and the USB printer. For example, we have successfully printed to a shared Oki 320 USB via its USB port when shared using UNC: mappings. Generally speaking, if you can copy a text file to the printer from a command prompt, you should not have a problem printing to the printer with HITS^®.

4) Print Servers. The above conventions apply for connecting workstations and mapping the ACS client software.

5) Printer Buffers. Printer buffers are highly recommended for "report" printers. While most shared printers attached to workstations and print servers will properly handle "print pause" commands, some will not, resulting in garbaged printing on long reports and statement printing due to buffer overruns.

6) Passwords. On local Windows computers and networks, we suggest that you set passwords to not expire. We frequently get calls from customers with new in-house networks that are approximately 30 days old that cannot log in to their workstations because of expired passwords.

For some dealers, it is difficult for them to understand that this is not something we control. We do control the passwords for the ACS client log in to our application hosted servers but not to their local network.

Additionally, we sometimes get calls from customers who suddenly find they cannot print. Frequently we find that the customer (or their consultant/hardware specialist) created a new logon and password which does not have local network permissions to access printers. This can be very frustrating for everyone. If you are a consultant or hardware specialist, please help us help our mutual customers by setting passwords not to expire and set controls on the adding of new logons and passwords.

7) Dial-up and DSL Modems/Routers. The dealer's Internet connection equipment should be set to maintain a connection even when there is no Internet activity. When a dealer is using HITS^® via the internet with the ACS client software, his task is "live" like a terminal on a mainframe. A loss of connection to the HITS^® application server will result in his task being terminated and he will have to re-logon in order to access HITS^®. If you are uncomfortable with setting the customer's equipment to never disconnect, consider setting it to at least 480 minutes {provided the customer is not on metered internet access service}.

8) Power Cycling Modems/Routers. We have encountered a few situations where the Internet service provider, particularly with DSL, will recommend that the customer "power cycle" the modem/router in order to regain a connection to the Internet service. Please review with the customer how to "power cycle" their equipment in the event of an Internet access lockout. The general recommendation we have been given is to power off all the equipment and disconnect the DSL phone line for one (1) full minute. However, we have had good success with only powering down the router for one (1) minute and recommend this as the first attempt.

9) Full Screen versus Windowed Mode. Some customer have a preference on whether their HITS^® tasks run in full screen or windowed mode. It does not matter to us. However, some functions within HITS^® will not work on older versions of Windows when running in full screen mode. For that reason, we now recommend running HITS^® in windowed mode. Adjust the properties of the ACS task on the local workstation to provide the largest possible screen size while in windowed mode. Generally, on workstation with a resolution of 1024 X 768, we have found that the Lucida font set to 20 provides the largest possible windowed task.

Also, we recommend that you instruct the customer in how to toggle between the ACS task and other Windows tasks (ALT-TAB) as well as how to toggle between full screen mode and windowed mode (ALT-ENTER).

10) Data Transfer. If an existing customer has been using HITS^® on a local (in-house) system, the HITS^® programs and the customer's data have to be uploaded to our application server. This is easily accomplished by getting a compressed copy of the programs and data onto a Windows system that is connected to the Internet, preferably on a broadband connection. (A licensed copy of pkzip is included with each copy of HITS^® and can be used to zip (compress) the HITS^® programs and data files.)

With the complete drive and path name, where the programs and data are located, we can assist either you or the customer in performing the pkzip of the programs and data and in executing the commands necessary for the ACS client software to upload the programs and data to our application server.

11) Local System Configuration And Physical Layout. As a service to our customers we invite you to forward to us a copy of a drawing or sketch that shows the layout of the system in the customer's business. We request that this information identify the workstation(s), printer(s), modem(s), and router(s) UNC: names and location on the drawing.

Downloading And Installing The ACS Client Software

The following are the steps required to download and install the ACS32 thin client software which must be done for each workstation that will access our application servers. Please note that once the software is downloaded and installed, either you or the customer will need to contact us for finalization of each workstation's unique configuration which includes logon, password, token I.D., and printer assignment.

For each workstation...

Step #1 - Download a copy of the ACS32 client software from www.aasys.com/acs32.htm. Take the option to download. The standard Windows dialogue box will prompt you to either Save The File or Run From The Current Location. ALWAYS take the option to Save The File. Do not take the option to Run From Current Location as this option will not properly install the ACS client software.

Step #2 - Once the file has been downloaded, click on the option to OPEN the file. You will be asked for a password. {If you have not already done so, log a call to the technical support center for the password.} Enter the password provided IN UPPER CASE ONLY. This will install the ACS32 client software.

NOTE: On some versions of Windows computers you are not prompted to OPEN the file once it has downloaded. If this occurs you will need to use the Windows FIND (SEARCH) command to find the file named ACS32.EXE. Once you have located the file, double click on it and you will be prompted for the password. Enter the password and the ACS32 client software will be installed.

During the installation process, you may need to click on various progress buttons listed as <NEXT>, <YES>, <ok>.

Step #3 - Set the properties of the ACS32 icon. On some Windows computers, the property to CLOSE ON EXIT is not checked. Please set this to do so on each workstation.

Step #4 - When the above steps have been completed for all workstations, contact the Technical Support Center at 1-800-438-4487. ext. #5, tell us the name of the customer you are assisting and request "Assistance With Finalizing The ACS32 Client Installation". Your call will be handled immediately if there are any available technicians or will be return by the first available technician. If a call must be returned, please advise the phone number and for how long you will be available.

If you have any questions about any of the above steps please contact the Technical Support Center at 1-800-438-4487 ext. 5.

HITS^® Technical Support Center