RockBiz employs a three-tier, enterprise architecture to provide security, stability,
and wide-area network availability.
- Data layer: Microsoft SQL Server (V-2000 minimum)
- Application Layer: RockBiz application middleware runs on .NET 3.5 on IIS 6.0 (or 7.0)
- Presentation Layer: Windows Forms application for rich, responsive user interface and hardware support for POS equipment (.NET 3.5)
With the Web version configuration:
- SQL server and application server are physically separate, professionally managed,
secure servers at the company’s co-location facility. Data transport between Presentation
layer and application server is via secured .NET Remoting channel (SSL).
With the Data Center version:
- Server components are installed on Server hardware located and managed by the business customer.
Consider these case studies, illustrating the flexibility and scalability of RockBiz
enterprise architecture:
Case 1: Small operation, RockBiz Web edition
- A small rock gym operates RockBiz Web edition with a single front-desk workstation
and a printer, hooked to the internet via DSL or cable modem. Data is kept
safe and secure on a professionally managed, offsite server at the RockBiz datacenter.
- Missing from the picture is the typical rock-Gym server: Gathering dust, lightning
strikes and spills, vulnerable to larceny and neglect.
- Staff members log into RockBiz to check in customers, perform sales, and manage
the business. The single POS workstation is later retrofitted with a 40-character
receipt printer, a barcode scanner, a magnetic card reader, and an electronic cash
drawer.
- The owner carries a laptop computer, and is able to log into the system from home,
the coffee shop, or the back office, to check on the business and perform management
tasks.
- Using a wireless card on a laptop or tablet PC, the retail manager travels freely around the retail
area and the stockroom, fully connected to her data.
- One day, the front desk workstation fails due to a hard drive crash. No worries:
no data is lost… The business manager simply replaces the machine with another workstation,
downloads the RockBiz client software from our website, and is up and running in
minutes.
Case 2: Large multicenter operation, Datacenter version.
- Rockbiz is deployed onsite at company headquarters on a Windows 2003 server with
SQL Server 2005. A skilled, part-time administrator is employed to perform updates,
assure backups, and manage security. The server is physically secured from public
access, in a climate controlled environment with backup power, suitable for server
operation.
- Several workstations are available at the front desk, allowing staff members to
log in with their staff credentials to process customers. Additional workstations
are located in office space utilized by managers of Retail, Membership, Promotions,
etc.
- A second location is opened across town. Location 2 is connected via dedicated WAN
link to the company’s datacenter, and requires no server of its own for RockBiz.
On workstations located at the front desk of Location 2, staff members process customers
from the common customer list, fully aware of the customer’s activities in both
locations.
RockBiz is available in two deployment configurations:
- Web edition: Hosted on our servers, the web edition provides unparalled ease of
setup and administration, plus secure access to your business information from any
internet connection. Choose the Web edition if you are just starting a rock gym,
or wish to have the features of RockBiz without the headaches and responsibilities
of managing a secure server.
- Datacenter edition: RockBiz can be installed on a secure server at your business
location. Recommended only for companies committed to maintaining a secure local
network and in-house server. See Datacenter system requirements.
Presentation layer is deployed via ‘Clickonce’ deployment. User application checks
for updates on each startup. Minimal effort is required by users.
Client Workstations
- PC with Windows XP (sp2) or Windows Vista (Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions)
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 (or higher)
- Microsoft Dotnet Framework 3.5
- 12 mb hard drive space
- (optional) USB ports for POS peripherals
- XGA graphics capabilities (1024x768) minimum
- Antivirus and firewall protection
Server (Datacenter version only)
- Server with Windows 2003 server, Windows 2003 Small Business Server or better
- Microsoft SQL Sever 2000 or better
- IIS 6.0 or better
- 100 mb disk space for application files, 50 mb per year database space.
- Microsoft Dotnet Framework 3.5
- Secured and managed