TARGET Sales Management System - Application Notes

Accessing TARGET

Although it is still possible to use the TARGET system with "dumb" terminals (like the Wyse 50) most users now have Windows desktop machines as clients. Using a Windows machine as a client allows for display of pictures, transfer of files and local printing. In order to use a Windows client, your LAN (local area network) must be set up as described below; if you have a permanent Internet connection, you may also be able to access your TARGET system remotely.

Local network issues

The single most important issue with local networking is that your network must be using IP, either in addition to or instead of IPX; we recommend the "instead of" option. Your TARGET computer will be assigned a fixed IP address on this network; while the system is capable of requesting and address via DHCP, this makes it very hard to configure the client machines. Client machines may use DHCP if you like, although we normally suggest using fixed addresses for all machines on the network.

If you have full-time Internet access, your TARGET system should be set up to have access to the connection. This way, you can send email directly from TARGET, update UEN via the Internet, and install TARGET updates from our update site.

Remote access

If your Internet connection has a static IP address, your TARGET system can be set up for remote access. If you have a router or firewall system, contact HSI for details on the ports and protocols that must be passed to the TARGET system. Once your system is properly set up, you can access it using the TWS software from almost any Internet connection.

We say "almost any" Internet connection because there are certain requirements that must be met. In particular, it must be possible to pass incoming UDP packets back to the Windows client machine; in some cases, routers, firewalls, or NAT (network address translation) may make this impossible or require changes.

Once you have established that the remote connection is possible, you may set up a local printer and assign it a TARGET printer number. You may then do anything from the remote client that you can do from the office.

Installing TWS

Our web site has a download and install link with complete information on installing the current version of TWS (the Windows client program) to use in accessing your TARGET system. Please pay particular attention to the instruction that you should not install any newer version of the TWS software than the one you download from our site.

Multiple sessions

The TARGET software provides for having several sessions open at the same time. You may start the second and subsequent sessions by clicking the Session, New Session at the top of the TWS screen. Note that we suggest using different usernames for each session, such as STEVE1, STEVE2, STEVE3. The reason for this is that the TARGET system keeps track of your current prospect, machine, etc based on your username.

We suggest keeping one session in the sales menu so that you can quickly handle incoming phone calls while you are in the middle of something more complicated like typing a machine specification. You may switch sessions by using ALT-1 for the first session, ALT-2 for the second, and so on.

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