The following system requirements are provided as a guideline in evaluating your hardware needs. The other applications that you run, particularly data-intensive applications, can greatly affect your workstation needs. These guidelines assume that you are a new ProLaw client and are running ProLaw/ProLaw Ready Version 11 with Microsoft Word and Outlook. If you are running additional applications you should adjust your workstation requirements accordingly. The database server should be dedicated to the ProLaw database and application. Only in the smaller ProLaw Ready environment may the database server be shared with other application. The "Minimum" column represents what will work - not what you should actually do.
Monolithic ProLaw Server System Requirements
The following Scaling System Requirements table shows hardware requirements that increase as the maximum number of users to be served by a system increases. The Common System Requirements table which follows the scaling table shows the common elements for the system, regardless of the number of users. Please note that the value for Typical RAM is for the machine as a whole when considered in a Monolithic environment, not strictly what would be dedicated to the SQL database. Please direct any questions to the e-mail at the bottom of this page. This is just an example of what we have seen work but technology evolves quickly so contact us if you would like to know if a system you have designed would work. If you would like the full ProLaw Server Requirements document please contact your ProLaw Client Services team at (888) 777-6529 or prolawinfo@thomson.com to request it.
Scaling Server Requirements
| Max. Users | Typical CPU Cores (Min) | Typical RAM (Min) | Typical SCSI Controller (Min) | Typical Operating System (Min) SQL Server Ed. (Min) | Typical Processor Speed & Type (Minimum) |
| 5 | 1 (1) |
1GB (512MB) |
N/A | Windows 2000/2003 Server (2000/XP Workstation) SQL Server Standard (MSDE) |
Pentium 4 or compatible 3.0 GHz (2.0 GHz) |
| 10 | 1 (1) |
1.5+GB (1GB) |
Yes | Windows 2000/2003 Server SQL Server Standard (MSDE) |
Pentium 4 or compatible 3.2+ GHz (2.0 GHz) |
| 15 | 1 (1) |
1.2+GB (1+GB |
Ultra 320 RAID 5 or 10 with 3 or more drives (Ultra Wide) |
Windows 2000/2003 Server SQL Server Standard (MSDE) |
Pentium D or compatible 3.0+ GHz (Pentium 4 or compatible 3.0 GHz) |
| 20 | 2 (1) |
1.5+GB (1.2+GB) |
Ultra 320 RAID 5 or 10 with 3 or more drives (Ultra Wide) |
Windows 2000/2003 Server SQL Server Standard |
Pentium D or compatible 3.0+ GHz (Pentium 4 or compatible 3.0 GHz) |
| 25 | 2 (1) |
2+GB (1.5+GB) |
Ultra 320 RAID 5 or 10 with 3 or more drives; (Ultra Wide RAID) |
Windows 2000/2003 Server SQL Server Standard |
Xeon 3.0+ GHz (Pentium 4 or compatible 3.4+ GHz) |
| 50 | 2 (2) |
3GB (2+GB) |
Ultra 320 RAID 10 with 6 or more 15,000 RPM drives; (Ultra 160 RAID) |
Windows 2000/2003 Server SQL Server Standard |
Xeon 3.2+ GHz (3.0 GHz) |
| 100 | 2+ (2) |
3+GB (2.5+GB) |
Ultra 320 RAID 10 with 8 or more 15,000 RPM drives; (Ultra 160 RAID) |
Windows 2000/2003 Server SQL Server Enterprise (Standard) |
Xeon 3.2+ GHz or similar dual-core (3.0 GHz) |
| 150 | 4 | 4GB (3+ GB) |
Ultra 320 RAID 10 with 10 or more 15,000 RPM drives; (Ultra 160 RAID) |
Windows 2000/2003 Server SQL Server Enterprise (Standard) |
Xeon 3.2+ GHz or similar dual-core (3.0 GHz) |
Desktop
These are typical examples of workstations for the two types of users. A normal user for example would be someone who uses it day in and day out entering new contacts, matters, and time keeping but doesn’t do a lot of report running or billing. A power user would be someone who runs a lot of reports or does billing or end of month functions.
Normal User System Requirements
| Component | Minimum Requirements | Typical Requirements |
| Processor | One Intel Pentium III or compatible, 1 GHz | One Intel Pentium 4 or compatible, 1.8 GHz or higher |
| Operating Systems | Any of the following: Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home or Professional |
Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional |
| Memory | 512MB (1.5 GB for Vista) | 1GB (2 GB for Vista) |
| Drive Space | 300MB free (local disk) | 1GB free (local disk) |
| Removable Storage | N/A | N/A |
| Video | Minimum SVGA (800 x 600) |
Minimum SVGA (800 x 600) |
| Network Interface | Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit or higher) | Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit or higher) |
| Interaction Devices | Mouse and keyboard | Mouse and keyboard |
Power User System Requirements
| Component | Minimum Requirements | Typical Requirements |
| Processor | One Intel Pentium 4 or compatible, 2.0 GHz | One Intel Pentium 4 or compatible, 2.0 GHz or higher |
| Operating Systems | Any of the following: Windows Vista Premium, Business or Ultimate; Windows 2000 Professional; Windows XP Home or Professional |
Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional |
| Memory | 1GB (2 GB for Vista) | 1.5GB (2.5 GB for Vista) |
| Drive Space | 1 GB free (local disk) | 2 GB free (local disk) |
| Removable Storage | N/A | N/A |
| Video | Minimum SVGA, (1024 x 768) | Minimum SVGA, (1024 x 768) |
| Network Interface | Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit or higher) | Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit or higher) |
| Interaction Devices | Mouse and keyboard | Mouse and keyboard |
Notes
We encourage you to work with your Implementation team to determine the amount of free hard drive space you will need on the server. Many factors can change the amount you will want to start with including which areas of the program you will use, how heavily you will use it and the size of your firm among others. Letting your Project Manager know about your short term and longer term plans in regards to your use of the product will help them give you the best recommendation possible.
Version 11 supports Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and Microsoft SQL Sever 2005.
We require TCP/IP network protocol for all ProLaw installations, which usually can easily coexist with your existing network protocol.
No user login is required on the dedicated MS Server 2000/2003 database server; therefore, you do not need to purchase additional user licenses based on the number of ProLaw users. However, you do need to purchase the appropriate number of application server licenses from your software vendor.
When using Microsoft SQL Server 2000, the default configuration of Code Page 1252 and Sort Order "Dictionary order, case-insensitive"; is required.
When using Microsoft SQL Server 2005, ProLaw will not work with the default installation. It must be changed to a configuration of Code Page 1252 and Sort Order "Dictionary order, case-insensitive", this is required.
Outlook integration requires Exchange. Bi-directional Outlook integration requires Exchange 2000 or Exchange 2003. ProLaw and Exchange can be run on the same server - if properly sized - when using Microsoft Small Business Server in small firms. Broadband internet access is recommended for participating in online Virtual ProLaw University courses and as a means of giving remote access for support. Please contact your ProLaw Client Services team at (888) 777-6529 or prolawinfo@thomson.com for explanations or additional information on these requirements.