Connectivity Analysis
CRMnow can offer several options for connecting to your CRM System. Take a look at the choices and keep in mind that each user can choose amongst all configured connections. We have several clients whose users are accessing their data using more than one method. IT note (Hardware requirements follow this information)

LAN CONNECTION
Benefits Typical connection used by “inside” agents at corporate office
Issues Limits user to network connection
Requirements Workstation PC with local installation of SalesLogix Workgroup Client
Best Suited For: Corporate Office worker with permanent LAN connection

REMOTE WITH LOCAL DATABASE
Benefits “Disconnected” users can access their database (usually a subset of all records) on their laptop/workstation without need to connect to Corporate network

Data is then synchronized over the internet using an FTP site

Issues Data Sync requires setup of Data Sync server and FTP site

Users need local installations of software and local database and must synchronize in order to update records with corporate

Requirements Workstation PC with local installation of SalesLogix Remote Client
Best Suited For: Outside Sales or Management with need for access to data without Internet connection


MSTS/CITRIX®
Benefits Creates virtual Desktop anywhere/anytime via the Web.

Access to live data and full functionality of SalesLogix Client and all other applications from corporate office without need for local installation

Greatly reduce support requirements and enhanced security

Eliminates need for iexplorer as User interface

Issues Requires Internet connection (preferably high speed such as DSL, Cable Modem or T1)

Requires licensing of Citrix or MS Terminal Services Client (included with Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP/2003)

Requirements Access to Internet

Remote Desktop (accessed through Windows 2000 or Windows XP or Citrix at Home Office

Best Suited For: All remote employees and/or branch offices

WIRELESS PDA
Benefits Offers similar benefit to Remote Client without the need for a computer/laptop.  Data can be stored locally on the PDA and synchronized with corporate

 
Issues Limited screen size for data display
Requirements Pocket PC or Blackberry PDA Device
Best Suited For: Traveling sales reps and executives



IT Notes and Recommendations for SalesLogix System Configuration

Item Recommendation
Database Server Requirements The database server (normally existing SQL® Server) will host the database files accessed by SalesLogix/MIQ.  All SalesLogix software will be loaded onto PC Workstations
Database Platforms

Microsoft® SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 3 or SQL Server 2005

Database Server

10 users:    Pentium® 4 2.0 ghz  w/ 1gig RAM IDE Mirroring (RAID 1)

100 Users: Dual Xeon® Pentium 4 3.2 Ghz w/4 gb RAM SCSI RAID 10 (Data) RAID 1 (Logs)

10 GB of hard drive space available (10 users)

100GB of hard drive space available (100 users)
Network Software

Windows® 2000 Server® or 2003 Server

Network protocols – TCP/IP
Network Topology

100/1000 Base-T w/ 32-bit PCI Ethernet cards

Gigabit Backplain (optional but recommended for Citrix® or MSTS installations)
Network PC Work Stations

Minimum: Pentium III 1.4 Ghz 500 MB RAM & 250MB hard drive space available

Preferred: Pentium 4 1.8 Ghz w/750 MB RAM

 (AMD®  is acceptable) 

Windows 2000®, Windows XP Pro®

MS Office 2000® (or better) for email (Outlook®),  word processing (Word®) and spreadsheet (Excel®)

Both SalesLogix® Administrator and WorkGroup apps will be loaded on each workstation where appropriate 

 
Terminal Server Requirements (optional) Remote access via MS Terminal Services and/or Ctirixi Server is an optional methodology for connecting outside users without requiring web client, data sync or local installation of SalesLogix software.  (These products must be licensed separately from authorized Microsoft Provider and/or Ctirix Reseller.
Remote Server

5 Users (per server): Pentium 4  1.8w/ 1GB RAM

10 users (per server): Pentium 4 2.8 Ghz w/2+ GB RAM

25 Users (per server): Dual Xeon 3.2 Ghz w/ 4GB RAM

1GB of hard drive space available 

Microsoft Windows Server 2000 with Terminal Services or

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 With Terminal Services or

Citrix®

Number of Remote Server PC’s is determined by number of concurrent  connections.  A well equipeed Server can support up to 25 connections.   

 
Data Sync Requirements (optional) The following components will be necessary in order to maintain remote database functionality and data synchronization with corporate office. This server PC will manage packet transfers to and from FTP site at scheduled intervals.. Depending on size of installation, the database server could perform this function (contact a CRMnow staff consultant for details)
FTP site Although RAS and email data sync options are supported, we highly recommend using an FTP site to administer packet transfers between remote users and corporate
Remote PC

Same as Network PC Workstation above

MS Office Suite for email and word processing

FTP access via Internet connection

Application Client Software See below for compatibility with other application components
Email Client

Microsoft Outlook 2000 SR-1a or higher or

Microsoft Outlook XP or Microsoft Outlook 2003

 Or

 Lotus Notes R5 or higher in “office’ mode (Advanced integration requires additional software (Link360)

Or

Groupwise 5.5 and6.0

Note: Usage of Outlook has certain advantages over Lotus Notes and Groupwise in advanced integration and functionality.  These differences are diminished with purchase of 3rd party software (Linkpoint 360).

Additional Note: Usage of Outlook Sync with SalesLogix using Citrix® or MSTS requires purchase of Exchange Link
Faxing

Preferred: GFI (optional Fax Software that can be purchased through CRMnow)

Good: Omnirush (optional Fax Software that can be purchased through CRMnow)

Acceptable: RightFax OR Email Integrated Fax Server

 
Word Processing

Microsoft Word 2000 SR-1a or higher

Or

Microsoft Word XP

Or

Microsoft Word 2003