Technical specifications

LAN or WAN (Web) use

Minimum requirements for the server environment

For smaller installations with fewer than ten users, the following configuration can be used as a technical starting point:

• Processor: at least 4 processor cores running at approximately 2 GHz or higher
• Working memory: at least 16 GB RAM
• Storage space: At least 5 GB of free storage space for the application
• Operating system: Supported 64-bit Windows Server operating system
• Database: Supported database management system in accordance with the current release for the Visual Planning version in use

In addition, sufficient storage space must be allocated for database content, log files, documents, temporary files and backups.

The actual requirements may be significantly higher, depending on the number of users, data volume, and the number and size of plans, reports, interfaces and processes running simultaneously.

Network and availability

For Visual Planning®, a stable and reliable network connection is more important than any particular internet access technology.

The required bandwidth depends in particular on the number of users working simultaneously, the volume of planning data, the modules used, and the reports, imports, exports and interfaces being carried out.

The following points in particular must be taken into account in the technical design:

• available bandwidth
• Network latency
• Packet loss and connection stability
• Number of concurrent users
• Data volume and scope of planning
• Access via LAN, WAN, VPN or the Internet
• Firewall, proxy, routing and port forwarding
• SSL/TLS certificates for external access
• internal or public name resolution

A flat-rate minimum bandwidth per user is not a meaningful figure for every environment. The required performance should be assessed on the basis of the number of users, the size of the plans and the specific usage scenario.

The server address used during installation must be reliably accessible to all authorised clients. Depending on the system environment, this may be a static IP address, a fully resolvable server name or a domain name.

The address used must not be changed after installation without prior technical verification, as the server name, domain or IP address may affect accessibility, configuration and licensing.

When accessing the site via the internet, a secure HTTPS connection should be used. If the Visual Planning server is only accessible within the company network, external users will require a suitable VPN connection or another secure access solution .

Any changes to the server name, domain, IP address, ports or access structure should be agreed in advance with the relevant administrator or Visual Planning support.

TSE / Citrix environment

Minimum requirements for the server environment

For a small terminal server or Citrix installation with fewer than ten users, the following configuration can be used as a technical starting point:

• Processor: at least 4 processor cores running at approximately 2 GHz or higher
• Working memory: at least 16 GB RAM
• Storage space: At least 5 GB of free storage space for the application
• Operating system: Supported 64-bit Windows Server operating system
• Database: Supported database management system in accordance with the current release for the Visual Planning version in use
• Terminal server: Supported TSE, Remote Desktop or Citrix environments

If several sessions are active simultaneously, additional processor and RAM capacity must be provided. The required capacity depends on the number of users, the scope of the open plans and the functions being executed simultaneously.

In addition, sufficient storage space must be allocated for user profiles, temporary files, documents, reports, exports, database content and backups.

Technical requirements for clients

A suitable client for the terminal server or Citrix environment in use must be installed and configured on the users’ devices.

Depending on the system environment, user profiles, printer assignments, file access, the clipboard, screen resolution and local drives must also be taken into account.

Network for terminal servers and Citrix

When running VPDesk via a terminal server or Citrix environment, the application itself runs within the central server environment.

The connection between the terminal server or Citrix server, the Visual Planning server and the database must be stable, sufficiently scaled and permanently available.

When determining the required capacity, the following factors in particular must be taken into account:

• Number of concurrent sessions
• Processor performance and RAM per session
• Scope and complexity of the open plans
• Connection to the Visual Planning server and the database
• Generation of comprehensive reports and exports
• Access to files, printers and documents
• User profiles and session management
• Latency and stability in external connections
• Packet loss and connection fluctuations

For users accessing the terminal server or Citrix environment via WAN, VPN or the Internet, low latency, a stable connection and, as far as possible, no packet loss are crucial.

A flat-rate minimum bandwidth per user is of only limited use even in a terminal server or Citrix environment. The required performance should be determined on the basis of the number of users, the technology used, the screen resolution and the specific usage scenario .

The final sizing and configuration should be carried out in consultation with the relevant IT partner or system administrator.