Microsoft desktop operating systems
Windows 11
Windows 10
Caution: HandiSoft applications are not supported on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008/2008 R2, or SBS 2011. For more information, see Windows 7 support ended on 14 January 2020 or Windows 8.1 support ended January 2023.
Microsoft server operating system
Windows Server 2022
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2016
SQL Server - (only required for HandiSoft SQL databases)
Microsoft SQL Server 2022: 64 bit
Microsoft SQL Server 2019: 64 bit
Microsoft SQL Server 2017: 64 bit
Warning: SQL Express is not recommended due to its limitations. Please see What are the SQL server minimum requirements for HandiSoft SQL? for more information.
Workstation Requirements
Processor | Equivalent to Intel i5 or greater |
RAM | 8 GB |
Hard Disk Speeds | 40 GB hard disk space (additional 1 GB needed for installation) For better performance use a Solid State Drive (SSD) for faster read/write |
Network | 1000 BaseT / Gigabit Ethernet Network or higher (wired). Internet access available. |
Other | DPI set to 100% |
Server Minimum Requirements (Excluding Terminal Server)
Processor | Dual Core Server class processor |
RAM | 8 GB |
Hard Disk | 10k or 15k RPM based SAS / SCSI |
Other | .Net framework 4.6.2 (Required for the HandiSoft Data Agent service used for integration to Access Practice Management, Access Tax and Access Ledger) |
Network | 1000 BaseT / Gigabit Ethernet Network higher (wired) |
Windows Terminal Server / Remote Desktop Services
HandiSoft is supported in a Terminal Server / RDS Environment. We recommend your Terminal Server is adequately resourced with a minimum of 64-bit GB of usable memory and at least 4 cores (8 preferably) 64-bit Operating system running Windows Server 2016 or later is recommended.
HandiSoft is not suited to a WAN or accessed over a VPN unless using RDS.
Processor | 2 x Dual or Quad Core Server class processor |
RAM | Base of 8 GB (32 GB recommended) and 1 GB per user |
Hard Disk | 100 GB hard disk space |
Network | 1000 BaseT / Gigabit Ethernet Network or higher (wired) |
Software
PDF viewer such as Foxit Reader or Adobe Reader.
Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
Microsoft. Net framework 4.6.2 or later.
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package x86 (32 bit) or later.
An ATO Machine credential is part of the SBR authentication method used to access SBR services and is available from the ATO.
Microsoft Office Versions (32 Bit version, 64 Bit versions)
Microsoft Office 2019
Microsoft Office 2016
Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft Office 10
Internet
A good internet connection is required for licences, software updates, ATO electronic lodgments, Client Portal and Online Help.
We do not recommend using HandiSoft on a wireless network (WLANs) or directly over a VPN.
Client Portal requires the latest versions of FireFox, Chrome, Safari and Edge.
HandiSoft Connect is accessed via a web browser. HandiSoft Connect is supported on Microsoft, Apple and Android devices. HandiSoft Connect allows you to remotely view, add, and edit client details.
HandiConnect and Client Portal: Transport Layer Security (TLS) Requirements
Websites use TLS to secure all communications between their servers and web browsers, and HandiConnect and Client Portal require TLS 1.2.
The latest version of IE (Edge), Google Chrome and Firefox support TLS 1.2.
TLS 1.2 supported but disabled by default: IE10 for Windows Server 2012.
TLS 1.2 not supported IE 9 for Vista and Server 2008.
Other hardware considerations
Printers: Printers: Most printers will work with HandiSoft. For general printing, we recommend a laser printing system. These printers offer higher quality and compatibility. Printers, including laser printers that are no longer supported by your computer operating system, will need to be replaced in order to avoid troublesome issues. Must be a multifunctional device. HandiSoft does not currently support label printers.
Scanners: When using a locally connected scanner ensure that the driver is TWAIN \ WIA functionality network compliant. To scan in a remote session environment (Terminal Server, Remote Desktop or Citrix), you must utilise the specialised network software provided with your scanner hardware or other 3rd party applications.
If using Microsoft Office, MODI (Microsoft Office Document Imaging) needs to be installed for OCR filing options in Document Manager, see Install MODI for use with Microsoft Office 2010 and above.
Handisoft is not supported or tested in the following environments
Linux | HandiSoft Software is not supported in a Linux environment |
Apple Mac | HandiSoft Software is not supported in an Apple Mac environment |
Cloud Storage Devices | HandiSoft Software is not supported when hosted on cloud storage devices such as (but not limited to) Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, and Google Drive |
G Suite / Google Workspace | There have been difficulties in translating changes to email items in the Outlook Drafts folder, as it is not compatible with some of the HandiSoft email functionality |
Network-attached storage devices (NAS) | Certain HandiSoft functionalities do not operate correctly on a NAS. These include, but are not limited to, SBR and Connect |
Hot Fixes and Service Packs
We recommend that you regularly update your operating system with any relevant Service Packs and Hot Fixes, which are available from the Microsoft Internet site or by selecting "Tools" and "Windows Update" from within Internet Explorer.
If Microsoft no longer supports the aforementioned products, then neither shall HandiSoft.
Antimalware and Antivirus software
Antimalware and Antivirus software can interfere with the efficient running of your HandiSoft applications by either temporarily blocking access to files or quarantining and deleting files that are incorrectly classified as suspicious or a threat.
Please ensure you configure your antivirus software to exclude specific HandiSoft processes, files, or folders. You may need to add these exclusions to each workstation and the server, depending on your network. Please seek further guidance from your antivirus software vendor on adding exclusions.
Hard disk requirements for Document Manager
The file store size is dependent on your electronic file volume. The following can be used as a guide: 100,000 documents require approximately 35 GB of disk space in the file store (estimated using an average file size of 350 kB).
When estimating how much disk space you need, ensure all documents are considered, including emails, scanned documents, image files, spreadsheets, letters, PDFs, and so on. You should ensure you have enough storage space for at least five years' worth of documents or the expected life of the hardware, allowing for growth. Always allow for system needs when looking at drive capacity to allow for housekeeping.
Backups
We often hear from our clients after a fire, theft or even sabotage has struck their office. Would your electronic data survive? We recommend that you regularly backup your data, and store copies off-site. A recent valid backup is the only way to recover.