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flowerSoft has very few hardware requirements but some software requirements.
flowerSoft will run on any computer running Windows, from Windows 95 to Windows 7. We do not recommend 64-bit
versions at the present time, not because flowerSoft will not run on them but because other programs and hardware you may
already own, might have problems running on64-bit versions. If you are sure all your other programs and hardware
are 64-bit compatible, then by all means get the 64-bit version.
If you are contemplating a multi-user network
solution, we recommend Windows 2008 Server or Windows 2008 Small Business Edition Server.
If you still run the Mercury
3000 software, you must switch to the Mercury Direct option.
If you are running Dove Plus, you must switch back to the
older Dove version. Teleflora is not giving 3rd party software providers an interface with Dove Plus.
The computers
should have at least 2GB of RAM and at least a 120GB hard drive if you are running Windows XP. Windows 7 requires
at least 3GB of RAM.
Flat screen monitors, save a considerable amount of desk/counter space which is always at a premium
in most flower shops.
Printers
This is the area where flowerSoft has a couple of requirements.
You need
to have a laser printer that is PCL5e capable and it must work with operating systems other than Windows, such as Linux
and Apple computers. Although there are many of such printers out there, we recommend the Dell or HP laser printers. Specifically,
we recommend the Dell 1700DN (most inexpensive), the HP1320 (moderate cost), the HP P2015 or HP2400 (more money)
or the HP4350 (most expensive of the 3). With the HP2400 and the HP4350 you have the option of getting an additional paper
drawer, something we highly recommend.
Recently, flowerSoft users have reported that the Samsung ML2851ND works well
with flowerSoft. If you need/want 2 drawers, make sure that the additional drawer is available. It wasn't the
last time we checked.
If you are considering a single-user system and you are going to install flowerSoft in the same
computer where the Dove and/or Mercury Direct programs are running, make sure you get a printer with 2 removable drawers.
The reason for this is that if a printer has only one removable drawer, your Dove and/or Mercury orders and confirmations
will print over the flowerSoft forms. To avoid this, you must get a printer with at least 2 removable drawers so that flowerSoft
can print to one of the drawers and the Dove/Mercury can print to the other; or you can get an inexpensive injet printer (some
are less that $50) and connect it to the computer. You can then make this printer your default Windows printer so that Dove
and Mercury will print there. flowerSoft will then print to the laser printer.
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Printers must be capable of understanding PCL-5 codes They
should also be able to work with Linux and Apples, not just WIndows Two removable trays are recommended
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If you want to make a computer POS capable, you will need some additional equipment and/or programs.
flowerSoft
does not sell any hardware nor programs other that flowerSoft. You must purchase any additional hardware and/or programs from
local vendors or distributors.
Recommended additional equipment for POS stations:
Cash Drawer - MMF Heritage Series
(Epson Interface) that hooks up to a 40-Column Receipt Printer, any Epson TM-series with a USB interface
Magnetic
Card Readers - Magtek Miniwedge Card Readers - Tracks 1 & 2 or Cherry Keyboard.
Scanners - Just about anyone will
do - Go for the best price - Datalogix makes some good ones.
ICVerify software for authorizing credit card purchases
through computer.
Please note that although flowerSoft interfaces with ICVerify to get approval of debit cards, flowerSoft
does not, at the present time, interface with PIN pad readers. If you want or need to use a pin pad reader, you have to get
the authorization using ICVerify's interface.
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Receipt printers for POS terminals
should connect to a USB port
and have an interface to a cash drawer, if you are using one.
Also,
make sure they work with Windows 7 if that is the Windows version you are using
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Magnetic stripe readers can be stand-alone or incorporated
into the keyboard as in the
Cherry keyboard shown above
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Make sure your cash drawers is compatible
with the receipt printer you choose or have
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ICVerify Ver. 4.04 or Later Only
ICVerify is required if you want to authorize credit card sales through flowerSoft ICVerify is not included in the price of flowerSoft
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