GPS for the Desktop The Application Server software is the heart of the SupportPoint system. It drives the SupportPoint Author and Viewer clients, stores all content, and provides content search and delivery capabilities, system security, user administration, and reporting.   The Application Server also communicates with external SMTP, Active Directory, and LDAP servers.

Features

Capacity

The Application Server can support several thousand users from a single instance. Additional Application Servers can be implemented across large distributed networks that are subject to latency issues. These subsidiary servers synchronize with content from the master server, keeping up to date with global policy, procedure, and product information.

Compatibility

The Application Server software operates on Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, Red Hat and CentOS Linux servers. Although SupportPoint does not require high-end hardware, it can run on fast multi-CPU servers for very large implementations.

The primary interaction between SupportPoint and existing systems relates to context sensitivity with supported end user applications. Rather than requiring technical integration, SupportPoint achieves context sensitivity through recognizing application screens and proposing support guidance relevant to those screens. This reduces the technical complexities of implementing SupportPoint and minimizes incompatibility as applications are upgraded or added.

Scalability

SupportPoint is designed to operate quickly, even on slow networks. By using powerful compression techniques and streamlined document formats to reduce content size. SupportPoint delivers fast access, quick searches, and superior performance over almost any network.

To further support connectivity and access, SupportPoint provides a connection tester. This tool allows your IT staff to diagnose and report client/server connectivity issues resulting from unreliable connections, problematic firewall rules, or integration with login databases.

Security

SupportPoint's security features include:

• role based content access control
• LDAP and Active Directory user authentication
• encryption of login data
• http support

Access and Change Controls

SupportPoint provides configurable review and approval structures for creating, publishing, and modifying source content. All content changes are retained and all previous document revisions can be reviewed in their entirety. Revisions can be compared side-by-side, with color-coded highlights showing changes, additions, and deletions.

Auditing

If a compliance issue arises, SupportPoint's standard functionality can: * show what documents were available over a given period * confirm who accessed documents and when * check results of online learning for user understanding