Typical IT-Oriented Tasks related to Abacus 21 Installations -

• Providing adequate-functional Server(s), Network, Workstations, Printers, Communications, and Cabling (or Wireless) Infrastructure -- with High-Speed Internet Access (to facilitate facets of Abacus 21's Implementation-Training-Support)... and maintaining the System's integrity into the future.  See the Abacus 21's Website under Network, Server, Workstation, and Peripheral Requirements.
• Providing Report Printers & Cabling, POS Printer Cabling, Network setup, and Internet Broadband Connectivity.
• Providing the required Server, Network, Workstations, UPS, Redundancy, Anti-Virus, and Backup Provisions.
• Installing InterBase on the Production-Live Server.  (Abacus usually does this the first time round.)
• Installing Abacus 21's (System-441) Software on the Production-Live Server.  (Abacus usually does this the first time round.)
• Installing InterBase Client on Workstations.  (Abacus does this on one Workstation... and shows the Client how to do it on Others.)
• Installing Abacus 21's Client-Software on Workstations.  (Abacus does this on one Workstation... and shows the Client how to do it on Others.)
• Setting up Workstations with appropriate (System-Administrator) access-rights to allow System-441 and Abacus 21's Upgrade Pilot to operate correctly.
• Installing Abacus 21's System-441 Utilities and IB_WISQL on (selected) Workstations.  (Abacus does this on one Workstation... and shows the Client how to do it on Other Administration-User Workstations.)
• Providing cabling from all GuestCheck & Receipt Printers to their respective POS-PC's... and providing CAT5-connections to all Prep (System) Printers.
• Making sure all POS and BackOffice PC's are functional as normal PC's on the Network -- and that all Printers are functional as normal Windows Printers.
• Setting up POS Prep Printers as Network Printers -- so that they are recognized as Windows Printers.
• Getting a general understanding of how the Abacus 21 Application Software inter-relates to the Server-Network-Workstations-Printers.
• In particular (and only if pertinent), understanding how to do the POS Workstation & Printer Application configurations (inclusive of installing the appropriate Drivers).  (Abacus does this for several POS sites... and shows the Client how to do it for Others.)
• Also, in particular (if pertinent), understanding the hookups & configurations of special-purpose devices -- such as Laser Guns, Scanner-Recorders, Handheld-POS, Card Swipes, Photo-ID Card Printers, Fingerprint Recognition, Signature Capture, etc. -- working off of the Training and Instructions provided by Abacus 21.
• Providing or procuring any Software, Hardware, or Services (and Vendor support) necessary to facilitate the 3rd-Party side of any 3rd-Party Interfaces included in the project.
• Setting up an automatic Nightly InterBase Backup.  (Abacus 21 provides instructions on what to incorporate into the Jobstream.)
• Setting up automatic Periodic InterBase Backup-and-Restore.  (Abacus 21 provides Instructions on what to incorporate into the Jobstream.)
• Setting up the System-Backup to back up the InterBase-Backup file rather than the live Database.
• Assisting in developing Client-specific "Cheat Sheets" for common repeated functions in the "IT-area".
• Maintaining a "refreshed" (and suitably Upgraded) Test-Environment (and its infrastructure-security) if the Client has opted for a Production-System & Test-System arrangement.
• The Client is expected to provide a suitable communication method (such as a Cell-Phone) to the Abacus 21 Installer(s) while on site if the Instalation is spread over multiple physical areas and centralized-contact with the Installer is needed.

• Periodically running a Database validation (and mend if necessary).  (Abacus 21 provides Training and Instructions.)
• Monitoring the operation of the automated Backup and Backup-Restore.
• Monitoring general System Performance -- including Disk Space Usage
• Installing Upgrades -- which can be downloaded from our Website.  (Abacus 21 provides Training and Instructions -- and should read the Release Upgrade Notes prior to performing Upgrade.)
• Installing FIX deliveries (onto the Server, which are detected and 'picked up' by the Abacus Server-Software and Client Workstation 'Upgrade Pilot'... and automatically updated to the Server and respective Workstations).
• Running Database scripts or SQL commands as directed by Abacus 21 Support for certain fixes or corrections.
• Periodically updating InterBase-Server and Interbase-Client software as Upgrades become available.
• Maintaining a "spare" of any critical Touch-PC, Touch-Monitor, POS Printers, and other Peripheral devices to swap if a production unit should fail -- allowing the failed units to be repaired as necessary... and knowing how to "swap-around" Units & Peripherals if needed.
• Understanding & following Abacus 21's Support Procedures -- and helping assist the End-Users in adhering to those steps.
• Periodically (at least once a Month) checking the Client-Section of Abacus 21's Website -- for any pertinent information.  (Release Announcements and other critical Support Announcements are automatically emailed to the Client's Project Manager and Authorized Designees... of which the IT-Person would most-likely be one.)
• Making sure Office Automation Software, Anti-Virus Software, or other 3rd-Party Software is not "conflicting" with the Abacus 21 Software or Abacus Backups.

• Assisting the Client Users in isolating Server-Workstation-Network-Peripheral-Communications problems -- distinct from Abacus 21 Application Software issues or non-Abacus Software issues... and communicating-working with Abacus 21 Support personnel on these matters as needed.
• Potentially doing Data Extracts via Excel or working with other Ad-Hoc Reporting Tools.
• Viewing and/or maintaining Data through IB_WISQL -- most often only when directed to by Abacus 21 Support.
• Accessing Abacus 21's On-Line Help as appropriate.

• Percent of Abacus 21 Installations that have a Project Manager (for the Abacus System project... who is an Employee of the Client):  100% (because we Contractually insist upon it) 
• Percent of Abacus 21's Club-oriented Clients that have a dedicated IT-person on Staff (as an Employee):  Less than 20%
• Percent of Abacus 21's Resort-oriented Clients that have at least one dedicated IT-person(s) on Staff (as an Employee):  80%