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Jim2® Business Engine Help File

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Technical Requirements

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These technical requirements relate to Jim2 Business Engine on premises version.

 

Please see Jim2.Cloud Technical Requirements Jim2.Cloud technical requirements.

 

Server requirements

Jim2 Server requires Microsoft .NET 4 Framework Version 4.6.2 or above to be installed. The updater will check and confirm that it is installed, or will prompt to install it.

Windows Server 2019 or later

Info

Jim2 also supports SQL 2019.

Minimum 8GB RAM, 16GB recommended

100GB free space on hard disk drive

Microsoft SQL Server 2016 with latest service pack or later (SQL Server 2022 recommended)

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2 or above

SQL mirroring is not supported

 

Quality

It is recommended to run Jim2 on a standalone server. Jim2 and SQL should not be installed on a computer where users are accessing it to work, ie. user desktop or terminal server. Both performance issues and security threats will be increased.

 

warning1

Note: If SQL 2019 is being used, CU21 MUST be installed.

 

As a rough guide, Jim2 recommendation is as follows for more than 20 users:

4 CPU Cores

16GB RAM

SSD Hard Drives.

 

Windows Powershell

Windows Powershell version 5.1 is a requirement if powershell scripting is to be used. If Powershell 5.1 is not already installed, you will need to install Windows Management Framework 4.1 from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54616 (copy and paste into a web browser) for more information.

 

warning1

IMPORTANT: Version 4.4 Integrated Powershell scripts and the Jim2 Insight Panes will not unless version 5.1 is installed.

 

Workstation requirements

Windows 10 is recommended

Intel i3 or greater

1280 x 1024 minimum resolution (1920 x1080 preferred)

2GB RAM or greater

300MB free space on hard disk drive

Microsoft .NET 4.6.2 or greater

Standard Workstation Mouse with a DPI no greater than 1600 DPI is recommend

Microsoft SQL Server Native client to be installed. The latest version that is distributed by Microsoft is here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50402 (copy and paste into a browser). See here for outdated SQL message.

The SQL recommended driver is the ODBC Driver version 18, available here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/odbc/download-odbc-driver-for-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver16  (copy and paste into a browser).

 

Jim2 eBusiness Framework

Jim2 eBusiness Framework requires Microsoft .NET 4.6.2 Framework to be installed.

 

Internet

To ensure a quality experience, reliable high speed internet access is required.

 

Network

A stable network is required. Any network issues will be quickly revealed when using the software. The network should be configured and tested prior to loading Jim2.

 

Jim2 Mobile App

Please refer to https://apps.apple.com/au/app/jim2/id681644222 (copy and paste into a browser) for the latest information on running Jim2 for iOS.

 

See here for Jim2 Mobile for iOS 7.1 or later, and here for Android 5.0 or later.

 

Peripherals

Printers

Every workstation which will view, email or print reports, invoices etc. will require a working installation of a printer. These can be installed through the windows network/local printers system. It is recommended that every workstation has access to a printer (shared through network or locally installed), as a printer is required to both generate and preview reports from Jim2. Printers are added in Jim2 via Tools > Options > Other > Printers.

 

Recommended label printer (job and stock labels)

Zebra ZD421 series thermal or direct USB transfer label printer (4 inch) with EPL drivers

Label – 40mm x 28mm

Ribbons (if applicable)

 

Receipt printer (dockets/receipts rather than A4 invoices)

Citizen CTS-651 Series II 80mm thermal receipt printer (USB interface). This process fades over time when exposed to light.

 

Tip

Whilst the thermal transfer printer can be used in direct thermal mode (ie. no need for ribbons), this process fades over time when exposed to light.

 

Cash drawer

GC36 cash drawer.

 

Info

If there is no receipt printer, a generic USB cash drawer trigger will be required to open the cash drawer.

 

Barcode scanner

Any generic hand-held scanner should work with Jim2. Most are plug and play. If you can scan into Windows Notepad, it will work with Jim2.

 

Configuration

Database software

SQL Server (2016 Express) software is supplied to drive Jim2. Please contact Happen Business (sales@happen.biz) if the email link has not been received. Alternatively, the full version of Microsoft SQL Server can be used. This must be fully installed before the Jim2 install.

 

SQL Server Management Studio is also required.

 

SQL Express is generally adequate for smaller sites, however it does have limitations. For larger sites (10-plus users), SQL Standard may provide better performance, and allows for databases larger than 10GB, which is the limitation of SQL Express.

 

Jim2 Business Engine and Jim2 Server

Jim2 Server requires the SQL Server database software to be installed, as mentioned above. To install Jim2, please contact Happen Business (sales@happen.biz) if you have not received the email link. This step will install a Jim2 folder (directory) on the server.

 

warning1

Jim2 Server must be installed on the same server that has SQL installed.

 

Network configuration

Configure the workstations

It is recommended that the Jim2 directory on the server is shared, and a shortcut to Jim2 in that shared folder is installed on the workstations. This minimises the time required to install updates to Jim2, as all files are centrally located. It also avoids problems with version mismatches.

 

To set this up, browse to the folder containing the Jim2 install. The default is: C:\Program Files(x86)\Happen business\Jim2. Right click on the Jim2 directory and select the Share option in the dropdown to share the folder.

 

To install a shortcut, browse to the shared folder created above. Locate and right click on the Jim2.exe file then select Copy. Move back to the desktop and right click to paste the shortcut. This will create a shortcut file to the Jim2 Client. Alternatively, right click on the Jim2.exe file and select Send to Desktop.

 

sendtodesktop

 

Licence key installation

Happen Business will supply a unique licence key file. This key is tied to the server that Jim2 is installed on, and will be delivered as an attachment via email. The key will need to be loaded to the server using the Jim2 Server Console. Instructions are included in the email. Contact support@happen.biz if unable to locate the email.

 

Workstation settings

Settings which are workstation dependent (ie. printers, tills, fast invoicing, etc.) should be set on each workstation. If a Happen Business Analyst configures the options and settings on a workstation, these settings should be used as a guide for the other workstations. All workstations should be ready to print within the network.

 

Tip

Workstation settings under Tools > Options show as blue type, whilst black type indicates global settings.

 

workstationsettings

 

Maintenance

Software updates

Happen Business releases free updates and new versions to Jim2 throughout the year. These updates include enhancements, bug fixes and new features. Please ensure that Happen Business is kept up to date regarding email contact details, as notification of these updates is sent via email.

 

To install these updates, download the update file and run it from the Jim2 Server machine. Follow the prompts to install the Jim2 update.

 

Quality

Support is available for the current version only. As Jim2 is constantly being updated, it is best to regularly check for the latest version at www.jim2.com.au/support/latest-update/

 

Backup and restore options for Jim2

It is recommended to become familiar with the backup and restore features of Jim2. It is also recommended to back up the Jim2 database on a daily basis using the Scheduled Backup feature in Jim2 Server.

 

Consultation with your company IT manager on the best solution for backup requirements is suggested.

 

Further information

Jim2.Cloud Technical Requirements