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Requirements
Contrary to most dental management software packages on
the market, ExcelDent was designed on one of the most technologically advanced software
platforms. In fact, the application is so sophisticated and powerful that even
certain Windows™ systems cannot support it. It is therefore important to be
appropriately equipped. This is not to say that expensive out-of-the-ordinary
equipment is required, simply that outdated equipment is inadequate for the job.
The following are the minimal requirements:
 | Computer
 | Intel Pentium IV, clock speed of 2.4GHz |
| 1 GB RAM |
| 20 GB hard disk (if not using any digital imaging
functions) |
| US Robotics™ 56 Kbps external modem on serial port if
sending claims using a telephone line |
| 17 inch screen which can support a resolution of 1024 x
768 in 16 bit color |
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| System
| Windows XP™ |
| N.B.: DOS™, Windows 3.1™, Windows 95™,
Windows 98™, Windows ME™ and Windows 2000™ are not powerful enough to
support ExcelDent |
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| Support software
| Microsoft Office 2000 Standard™ |
| PCAnywhere™10.0 (for over-the-phone support, not
required if you have a high-speed internet connection) |
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However, computer technology is evolving rapidly and quality/price ratios keep
rising. In order to better serve you, we are providing the following system
recommendation in the event that you are in the market to buy some equipment.
We update this recommendation on a regular basis.
For the date of March 3rd 2012:
| Computer
| For a main station: Intel I5 2300, clock speed of
2.8 GHz or better (note that AMD processor-based stations are not recommended because
these target residential applications and usually do not include the same quality of
components as found in stations aimed at the business market segment). For a
satellite station, you can however opt for a computer with less power, say an inexpensive
pre-owned Pentium 4. |
| 4 GB RAM or more for a main station, 1GB for satellite stations. |
| Dual SATA2 hard disks, 300 MB and above, 7200 RPM, 16M of cache memory in RAID 1
configuration for a main station. For added redundancy, you can put 3 disks in
a RAID5 configuration or 4 disks in a RAID10 configuration. Any size single hard
disks will do fine for satellite stations. |
| 56 Kbps external modem (US Robotics™ external serial
is strongly recommended and can be obtained on EBay for around $20) only if you intend to
send electronic claims using the telephone line instead of the internet |
| Video board with 512M of on-board memory |
| DVD writer 52/32/52 |
| 22 inch LCD flat screen with 1200 x 1024 resolution at the
front desk station(s), 17 or 19 inch on other stations. Touchscreen prices have
dropped over the last few years, making them interesting options. |
| 500VA Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) on all stations |
| Laser printer (Hewlett Packard™ brand is very recommendable) |
| An optical mouse and a comfortable keyboard |
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| System
| Windows XP Pro™, Windows Vista Pro™ or Windows 7 Pro™ (Windows Home
versions are acceptable, but given their more limited networking
capabilities, the Pro/Business versions are recommended). Apple Mac computers
are also acceptable if running a Windows XP system. For servers, Windows
Server 2003™ and Windows Server 2008™ are both fully supported. |
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| Support software
| SQL Server 2008 Standard is recommended only for large
clinics where 30 to 99 networked stations are required |
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| Optional (equipment which is very appreciated by dental practices)
| a little inexpensive digital camera to take portraits of patients at the front
desk |
| a Dymo LabelWriter 450 printer |
| a flash memory key drive to store backups and carry with you on a key ring |
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Many competitors insist upon you buying your computer with them so that they
may make some additional profit at your expense. We believe that a more honest
approach is to provide you with all the material information that you need to make a smart
purchase at a local merchant's which will provide you with attentive after-sale service.
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ExcelDent
