Secretariat® CM is a true web application, built on a platform architecture for Distributed interNet Applications. A comprehensive description of the Secretariat CM Architecture is available in the CGS Secretariat Corporate Manager Architecture document.

Example Installation Scenario

Secretariat CM is in operation in 3 locations where the Web Server resides at the London HQ, with users in London, Edinburgh and Manchester or indeed anywhere in the UK, using the system fully.

For this Installation scenario, Secretariat CM is deployed on a Windows® 2003 Server with Internet Information Server [IIS] and COM+. The Database is SQL Server 2005.

The users communicate with the server from their PC running Internet Explorer 5 over a TCP/IP network (intranet, VPN, Internet) using HyperText Transfer Protocol [HTTP] which is the standard for World Wide Web [www].

For this installation there are 7 Edit Users and 8 Browse only users. The 7 Edit users are divided between London (with 4), Edinburgh (with 2) and Manchester (with 1). Browse only users are a number of Directors throughout the UK who have been given access to see certain Company Information. There is an Administrator user in each of the locations and an internal support contact for each of the site locations.

The Client has purchased a license for UK & Ireland Jurisdictions with 7 Edit Users and 8 Browse users, and a License for 2,000 Corporations.

Secretariat CM Hardware Server Guidelines

The following are guidelines of Hardware Server Specifications suitable for Secretariat CM.

Note that a 'User' described below covers both 'Edit' or 'Browse' user as both require similar processing requirements and usage of Secretariat CM components - effecting Server specifications.

As part of the Secretariat CM pre-implementation phase, a CGS Business consultant will discuss these guidelines and advise on the recommendations suitable to the client's specific needs.

For further information on Hardware Recommendations for more than 15 users, please consult with your CGS Business Consultant.

Secretariat CM Software Requirements

The following are the Software Requirements for Secretariat CM. As part of the Secretariat CM pre-implementation phase, a CGS Business consultant will discuss these guidelines and advise on the recommendations suitable to the client's specific needs as there are a number of options depending on certain criteria that must be considered before selection.

Server Software Requirements

Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2003 (recommended)

The following are part of Windows Server family and are required for Secretariat CM:

• Internet Information Server [IIS]
  IE6.x
  Microsoft® Transaction Server [MTS] / COM+
  Microsoft Index Server (optional)
• Database Options
  One of the following: 
  Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or SQL Server 2005 (recommended)
• Client PC Requirements
  PC with Industry Standard Web Browser IE 6.x or IE 7.0

Secretariat CM Business Rules Components

CGS adopts the policy of using vertical market components for specialized functions such as Document Assembly, Fixed format Forms production, Reporting, and Charting.

All such components are based on Web-based architecture, maintaining the truly 'thin client' approach that Secretariat CM delivers. Secretariat CM components - including these 3rd party integrated components - are provided by CGS. Specific licensing of these components is governed by details in the contract with the client.

Third party integrated components are as follows:

• Document Assembly
  The use of the HotDocs® On-Line component from Lexis Nexis (www.hotdocs.com) for Document Assembly functionality is integrated into the Secretariat CM product. This component is a server-side component and requires no installation to the Client PC. CGS has developed and maintain a strong alliance with Lexis Nexis over the years and use some of their predecessor products for Document Assembly in previous CGS Windows solutions.
• Forms Production
  Fixed format Forms production is a key part of legal entity management. CGS has adopted the Adobe PDF standards from Adobe Corporation (www.adobe.com), using a product called ActivePDF (www.activePDF.com) as the component for forms filling and production.
• Reporting
  Reporting is another such component that is not reinvented by CGS. Apart from the Search and Report View definition functionality of Secretariat CM that allows the user create simple reports/views, which can then be exported to other formats, Secretariat CM also provides reporting functionality via Crystal Reports® from Business Objects (www.businessobjects.com).