Networking with StockBoy

Since the late 1970's, StockBoy has been exclusively using THEOS as its base programming platform (operating system) for program development and distribution. THEOS has always provided several essential advantages over other operating systems (such as Windows), including: fast speed in multi-user mode (especially when accessing via Internet), system security (no viruses, no hackers), system stability (no ‘blue screen of death’ or constant rebooting), cost effective installations using serial terminals, true multi-user simultaneous access to database files, cost effective programming capabilities, and high quality service and support at the operating system level. THEOS is an excellent platform for retail stores and for other installations requiring high speed data input without the requirement for extensive graphics. The programming languages built-in to THEOS are extremely powerful and easy to use – this means competitively priced software to end-users at the time of purchase and the option of cost-effective programming modifications at a later date.

The THEOS operating system has been primarily based on a serial terminal multi-user platform. This means that multi-user activity is controlled by one single ‘mainframe’ computer that serves as the host for any number of serial terminals and/or Windows/DOS PC’s running the Scanterm terminal emulator software. And, while this technology is very, very cost effective and efficient, there are more and more customer sites that are choosing the THEOS networking option to run alongside their existing Windows networks.

Networking is the collection of software and hardware components that connect a series of stand-alone Windows computers to each other for the purpose of sharing programs, data files, and hardware resources such as printers, Internet connection, backup devices, hard drives, and modems. A computer running the THEOS operating system is capable of being BOTH a terminal server AND a network server – that is, you can have serial ‘dumb’ terminals as well as networked Windows workstations all running the StockBoy software at the same time and in the same manner. The THEOS network shares the equipment and cabling used in the Windows network and does not impact Windows operations in any way (other than adding more traffic to your network, and this is usually negligible).

Advantages to adding THEOS networking:

□           Speed: StockBoy networked workstations run at a MINIMUM of approximately 120,000 bytes per second while the fastest serial terminals run at 38,400. This is measured on 10 mgbt networks -- the 100 mgbt networks are even faster! All THEOS network customers with 100 mgbt networks are reporting speeds of 250,000 to 400,000 bps. Many users also enjoy the fact that their PC’s use color monitors instead of the monochrome (one-color) displays that are common for most serial terminals.

□           Shared printer resources. Every local printer attached to any computer on the network CAN be used as a StockBoy common (spooled) printer. Any StockBoy user can print to any common printer at any time (at your option). StockBoy2000 supports 26 total common printers, while StockBoy98 supports 8. In addition, every network workstation with a local printer can use that printer as a slave report printer under StockBoy – and you can have as many of those as you’d like with no restriction.

□           Connectivity. Adding the THEOS networking package provides for several options that can be made available within the StockBoy software: the ability to access the StockBoy system from any computer connected to the Internet, nearly instantaneous exchange of data files between StockBoy and Windows (export / import data), sharing of tape backup systems, ability to directly access Windows files from StockBoy, the ability to use the THEOS server as a web page server and/or an FTP server, options to send, receive, and maintain Internet email, and more. Internet connectivity is becoming very popular – if you have a broadband connection to the Internet from your Windows/THEOS network, then the odds are excellent that you can use the Internet to access and run StockBoy from anywhere in the world. These scenarios require varying degrees of in-bound security and access protection that usually require a ‘firewall’ device on the Windows network, plus a separate Login/Password routine for THEOS / StockBoy.

□           Ease of Installation. THEOS networking requires that an inexpensive THEOS-certified network card be installed in the THEOS server – then all you do is run a single network cable from the THEOS server to your existing Windows hub! The THEOS network information runs independently from the Windows network, yet uses the exact same infrastructure. There is no need to add or change wiring, network cards, or network settings. THEOS uses TCP/IP – the same network protocol used on the Internet – so it’s a snap to setup and maintain. StockBoy is most efficient when all the workstations on the network are assigned a fixed IP address. Your network administrator can easily set this up if it isn’t already.

□           Cost effective user license. THEOS networking is sold based on the number of simultaneous network users; therefore you only pay for the number of users you really need. For example, you have a 10 station Windows network, and decide to purchase a THEOS network license for three simultaneous users. This means that the first three persons to sign into StockBoy on the network will be allowed access, the fourth person is denied. When any one of the first three users closes out and exits the StockBoy software, another network station can then sign in.

Investment: Pricing as of December 2002, subject to change. All prices do not include applicable freight or sales tax.

□           THEOS networking option is less than $500.00 per site, one time charge, plus installation and setup.

□           Plus, you must have enough THEOS users site license to cover the total number of simultaneous users desired, including the main console, serial terminal users, and simultaneous network users.

To upgrade from one level to another, you simply pay the difference (plus freight)

□           Plus, each simultaneous network user is $75.00 each. This is often referred to as the TWS (THEOS Workstation) license. There may be from time to time, additional feature enhancements added to the TWS program that may require additional, optional investment. This is totally within the realm of the THEOS operating system and outside the control of StockBoy.

□           The THEOS mainframe server must have a THEOS-certified NIC (network interface card). Any 100% compatible NE2000 or PCI Realtec 8139 compatible card will work; but it is a good idea to make certain your brand is approved before purchase. There should be NO hardware changes to make along any part of the Windows network. You must also have a network cable run from the THEOS server to the existing Windows hub (or tied in with coax cabling, depending upon the network’s topology).

□           You must have a Windows network established (NOT Novell, Lantastic, etc). This requires at least one additional computer running Win95,98, ME, NT, 2000, or XP along with the necessary cabling and network equipment. NT, Windows 2000, and XP have different levels of sophistication – if you are using any of these operating systems in your network, it is advisable to discuss it with your StockBoy technical support team.

□           There will be a humble amount of tech time to establish the THEOS setup, security issues, and to configure a full system map of the network IP addresses and shared printers. Any competent TCP/IP network specialist can perform these functions with assistance of StockBoy customer support over the telephone.

□           Depending upon the options desired, there may be additional programming charges to modify the StockBoy software to handle your specific needs in the areas of : THEOS access to the Internet email system, exporting and importing data directly from Windows systems, etc. StockBoy is already prepared (without charge) to handle the use of standard networking stations, the connectivity for common printers anywhere on the network, and the control of network workstations in Hardware Configuration 8-4-1.

As a practical matter, some pure retail stores do not find the networking options to be of overwhelming value. Serial terminals work fast and fine for even the largest retail outlets and the savings are significant over networking – you use $300 terminals instead of $1,000 computers for each workstation, and you do not have the added charges for THEOS network and the simultaneous network users.

StockBoy customers who are expanding the number of workstations may need to purchase a multi-port serial card to provide more ports for dumb terminals. These cards often cost between $500 and $1500.00. In this case, the price of the networking option may prove to be very cost-effective , especially when considering future expandability, speed, and the sharing of networked resources. Perhaps the biggest issue is this: the older multi-port serial cards, which run ‘dumb terminals’, require use of an ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) slot on the computer’s main motherboard. No Pentium 4 computer has an ISA slot .. only P3 and earlier computers have an ISA slot, and even most of the Pentium 3's do not. Since the computer industry is eliminating the ISA slot, older multi-port serial cards are going the way of the dinosaurs. Keep in mind, however, that new multi-port cards that use the types of slots available in new computers are still readily available – so the technical concept is still very viable – it’s just that with the average price being close to $1,000.00 for these 16 port cards many customers are thinking about networking options.

If you already are using (or want to use) a Windows network, then you’ve already made the majority of the investment. In this case, the addition of THEOS networking is a small percentage of the overall picture, and the benefits of having StockBoy networked will be very attractive.

It’s important to remember that the THEOS operating system can handle BOTH serial terminals and networked PC’s at the same time. It is a common scenario for a customer to have a group of older serial terminals and then add the THEO+NET networking package to add some additional networked PC’s.

Internet access: In recent times it has become very popular and cost effective for customers to access their StockBoy servers via the Internet. Many customers are accessing their StockBoy business server from home, from a remote satellite office or warehouse, from trade shows, or while on vacation.

Internet access requires the THEO+NET upgrade. We strongly recommend that any customer considering Internet access move up to THEOS 4.2 (a $150.00 upgrade from THEOS 4.1) and that they invest in some form of broadband Internet connection such as T1, DSL, or cable. Internet access requires a Windows PC tied to the Internet at the dial-up side and a broadband connection at the StockBoy server side. There is no THEOS or StockBoy software per se at the Windows PC. A Windows-based program called THEOS Workstation (TWS) must be installed on the Windows PC – it is used to access the StockBoy server with a perfect emulation that handles all keyboard keys and screen displays identically to the StockBoy main console. Depending upon the speed and congestion of the Internet connection, DSL to DSL access is roughly equivalent to a 19200 baud terminal.

Security is always a consideration when implementing remote access via the Internet. There are three layers of security – (1) the hardware/software ‘firewall’ that keeps general Internet traffic from coming into your local area network, (2) a netlogin name and password to gain access to the server, and (3) your StockBoy logon name and password to gain access to the software.