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SOFTWARE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR IT

Articles that provide information relating to the Pennant Auxilium software in IT infrastructures and environments.

SOFTWARE OVERVIEW

1. Auxilium Products

Auxilium is a world-class commercial-off-the-shelf software suite for Integrated Product Support disciplines to create, manage, and distribute their content. The Auxilium Product Suite consists of the following components:

  • Auxilium Repository Server (MS SQL repository): provides the backend for Logistics Product Data (LPD), and Supportability Modelling data (SMD) shared by the Auxilium Client applications. The IPSDB provides an authoritative single source of truth for the Auxilium Suite.
  • Auxilium Floating License Server (Windows Server w/ IIS): an application that provides floating (concurrent) licenses for the Auxilium products. This application should be installed onto a machine that users have access to within the organization.
  • Content Management and Distribution Server CDMS (Windows Server w/ IIS): an IETP Distribution Ecosystem that provides information publishers with control of the distribution lifecycle of their online and offline content. CDMS Nodes are geographically placed close to R4i Viewer users. IETP users will be seamlessly routed to one or more backup Nodes should a network issue make the primary Node unavailable.
  • Auxilium Integration Services (REST Message Bus and Webhook Services): The IPS REST API and Message Bus services are used to facilitate bi-directional integration of supported data artifacts with other third-party systems. Documented in Swagger based on OpenAPI specification.
  • Analyzer Client (Desktop application): a fast, accurate and user-friendly optimisation tool that helps analysts make good decisions for an asset’s life cycle support solution using the IPSDB and other connected information sources.
  • GenS Client (Desktop application): a flexible, secure, and robust Logistical Support Analysis tool. The supportability engineering application provides engineers an effective and efficient way to create and manage systems support data in the IPSDB. The GenS has optional modules for various LSAR/LPD standards.
  • R4i Writer Client (Desktop application): a powerful, easy and ready-to-write S1000D compliant authoring tool that helps authors create high quality information for operators and maintainers. The Writer Client has an optional module for Standard Technical English (STE).
  • R4i CSDB Client (Desktop application): a structured content management application for robustly managing publications and content. The Client also has options for S1000D IETP creation (MediaGen) which features over 120 options that can be selected for generating an IETP, and a Workspace plugin for Adobe FrameMaker.
  • R4i Binder Client (Desktop application): is the print/PDF composition engine used to assemble raw SGML/XML data into traditional page based technical manuals.
  • MobieTP/MobieTP PLUS (Android/iOS application): optimized for small screens and large files the native Mobile IETP Viewer is simple to use and can access content in both online and offline modes.
  • R4i Viewer (Desktop application): a powerful Windows-based IETP royalty-free Viewer that provides maintainers and operators with a highly interactive and unified view of manuals, eLearning courseware and maintainer job tasking. There is a Reviewer Option which features a built-in toolset to create and manage comments and validate links.
  • Additional R4i Applications (Desktop Applications): the R4i suite contains numerous other applications for specific authoring, publication, and distribution functions including: BREX Validator, Task Manager, LSAR-to-S1000D (LTS), Illustrated Parts Data (IPD) Manager, and Data Module eXchanger.

SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE OVERVIEW

Auxilium is a client-server software that uses common Windows technologies. The core Clients are Windows desktop applications which connect to a Windows Server MS SQL database. Windows server and IIS are used for software licensing (and publication distribution when optional CDMS product is purchased). In addition to a desktop application, the viewer is also available as a mobile application for iOS or Android and Web based browser.

Standard ports for WCF (Windows Communication Foundation) and HTTPS are used. A signed certificate is required for TLS to ensure secure communication.

See Annex A - System Architecture Overview for detailed overview diagram.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

2. Auxilium System Requirements

Note: The operating systems and any additional system requirements listed (e.g. MS SQL Server, .NET) are not bundled, licensed or installed with the Pennant Software.

2.1. Auxilium IPSDB Server and Floating License Server Requirements

  • Windows Server 2016 (with MS extended support) or later
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (with MS extended support) or later
  • 16GB RAM minimum (64GB recommended for enterprises)
  • 256GB Disk space minimum (1 TB recommended for enterprises)
  • ASP and ASP.NET on IIS (Floating License Server only)
  • Desktop Experience feature is required to fully support Clients on Windows server

2.2. Auxilium Desktop Applications PC Requirements

  • Windows 10, 11 (x64 Bit only)
  • 16GB RAM recommended
  • .NET 4.7.2 and above (R4i applications only)
  • .NET 8.0
  • 256GB Disk space minimum
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (view PDFs), and MS Excel (for import/export feature)

2.3. Auxilium Mobile Viewer Applications

  • Apple iOS 12.0 (MobieTP PLUS)
  • Android 10 (API level 29)
  • Tablets require sufficient internal storage to store IETPs in offline mode (if required)

DEPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

3. Supported Deployments

Deployment notes:

  1. The Auxilium SQL Database(s) can be deployed using MS SQL Server running on virtual machine within your on-premise environment or on Cloud Services, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.
  2. All Applications can be deployed on Virtual Machines and Cloud Services, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.
  3. Applications support firewall pass through and are compatible with existing firewall
    architectures.
  4. SQL Server Management Studio can be used to increase the size of a database in SQL Server. The minimum requirements provided should cover most deployment scenarios.
  5. Product versions are always being updated, however all customers under paid support will always be able to download the latest version/release.
  6. Every customer project is different, subsequently there are no size metrics. A 20GB SQL Database is capable of storing content for the life of an asset unless 50% of the S1000D publication content is multimedia and/or PDF content.
  7. Desktop applications are licensed via the Pennant Customer Care Portal. Customers can manage their product fixed licenses via the portal. Product keys can be applied dynamically (in real time) when the user PC has internet access or product keys can be applied manually for secured environments where internet access is not available.
  8. Desktop applications can be licensed as floating (concurrent) licenses via the Floating Licensing Server (FLS). FLS licenses are provided by the Pennant Support Team.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

4. Licensing

4.1. Clients

Auxilium Desktop Applications are per seat licensing and available in both Fixed and
Floating/Concurrent licensing.

4.2. Databases

Auxilium is licensed for a single production database instance, with a Training/Test database instance. Any additional databases required on separate servers can be purchased for a discounted cost based on the need of use. Scenarios such as a database required for a test/backup and recovery server, restricted network or programs that must be separated from other programs in the core IPSDB, can utilize the discount.

4.3. Options and Modules

Auxilium has several additional options and modules which are licensed individually. Once purchased these are attached to the same license key as the Client application licenses.

SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS

5. Software Support

5.1. Support Services

Standard Software Support is covered in the cost of Annual Software Maintenance. Standard Software Support services will be provided, including access to the Pennant Customer Care portal, and telephone and email support for users in the form of assistance and advice in relation to:

  • The operation and function of the Supported Software
  • The correction of errors if required (including software patches and updates)
  • Providing information to nominated IT personnel who will take appropriate actions to assist in rectifying problems.

Normal Support Hours are defined in C&L007A Support Terms:

  • If Support Services outside of the standard support hours is required, this request must be made via the Pennant Customer Care Portal. Emergency Support Rates will apply in this scenario.

These documents are available on the Pennant company website:

Software Terms of Supply

Support Terms

5.2. Technical Support

There are various services that accompany the proposed solution. The services include software installation and configuration, training, and consulting services. All services are offered based on the requested RFP and are provided independent of software and the software annual maintenance costs. Even though services are optional, ensuring familiarity with the tools and having formal training on the technology are essential steps of a typical implementation process.

5.3. System Installation and Setup

The systems installation and set-up package include access to a virtual (remote) IPS solutions
consultant. The Technical Consultant will work virtually (remotely) with the local IT and project staff to install and configure the baseline environment. At the completion of this task all products will be ready for use. All products will be tested, and all outputs will be verified. This includes the publishing of S1000D sample bike data to HTML and IETP in the R4i Viewer. Any customer publication logos and product banners will also be configured and saved for future use.

5.4. Product Enhancements

Based on base Agile/Scrum development philosophy, our customers are assured to have the latest technology in support of an evolving industry. We encourage our customers to submit ongoing enhancement requests as the solutions are being utilized as we strongly believe our customers improve our solutions as an ongoing support model.

6. Pre-install checklist for the Auxilium Software

  1. Download the latest version of the purchased applications from the Pennant Customer Care Portal (Product Downloads tab)
  2. Download the Install Guides (Resources Downloads tab). The install guide is contained in the software zip folder)
  3. Download the R4i CSDB Professional/Standard User Guide from the Customer Care Portal
  4. Ensure .NET Framework and .NET Core are installed on PC’s and Server
  5. Install MS SQL Server and MS SQL Studio
  6. Enable TCP/IP Ports in SQL Server
  7. Set Security to mixed mode (unless integrated security is to be used)
  8. Enable and Configure TLS on MS SQL Server.
  9. Install the Floating License Server (only required for floating/concurrent licensing).
  10. Install the R4i CSDB Client and GenS Client on the server or on a PC
  11. Start the Clients. A licence form will open. Copy the Activation code and License the
    Applications via the Customer Care Portal for fixed licenses; connect to the FLS for floating licenses.
  12. Reference the Install Guides to create the initial R4i CSDB SQL database, and Auxilium
    Repository.
  13. Login to the new R4i CSDB and Auxilium Repository Databases with the R4i and GenS Client. Username: admin Initial Password is: changeme
  14. Reference the R4i CSDB Professional/Standard and GenS User Guides that is available from the Resources Downloads to create a RLSF file section of the portal.
  15. Base install complete.