the professionals’ choicedownloads.star-payroll.com/538d85fc-a600-4cf4-8d1e... · 2016-09-27 ·...

Payroll Professional Guide Initial Install 1

The Professionals’ Choice

2 Payroll Professional Guide


Star Payroll Professional can easily be integrated into your organisation, by installing on either a stand alone PC ‘Workstation’ a ‘Server’ platform. All installation methods will provide the same Star Payroll P,‘Networked’ PCs or on rofessional software package however, selecting the right installion method can affect how your organisation would like to optimise its productivity and workflow.

Which Installation is Right For Us?

Workstation Installation

Installing on a stand alone PC ‘Workstation’ is best suited to smaller organisations with designated payrollers responsible for start to finish processing. Files will be held on the individual users local PC, meaning client payroll files will not readily be available to be shared with colleagues.

Network Installation (LAN)

Installing on a ‘Networked’ environment is best suited to medium sized organisations and smaller bureaus, with a payroll team who require shared access to client records.

4 Prior to Installing Payroll Professional Guide

Files will be held on a networked location, meaning client files are readily be available to be shared and processed by colleagues if required.

Server Installation (WAN)

Installing on a ‘Server’ is best suited to larger organisations and most bureaus, with a large payroll teams that require shared access to client records. Files will be held on a shared Server location, meaning client files are readily available to be shared and processed by colleagues if required. This method is recommended for organisations that wish to use SQL databases.

If you wish to discuss these installation methods in more detail to ensure your organisation is using the Star Payroll Professional package to its full potential, please do not hesitate to contact your Account Manager who will be happy to discuss your organisation and its requirements.

Prior to installing Star Payroll professional please ensure yourself or the relevant party has read through the System Requirements and have received authorisation from your administrator. Full system requirement information can be found within this document, please refer to the contents page. It is also import to have a clear idea of your chosen installation method as the installation type is affected by the location of where the install file ‘setup.exe’ should be run. Please use the follow as reference;

Workstation Installation – Launch ‘Setup.exe’ as administrator on the PC

Network Installation - Launch ‘Setup.exe’ as network administrator on lead PC

Server Installation - Launch ‘Setup.exe’ signed in to the server as administrator


STEP ONE

To source the most recent version of Star Payroll professional please go to https://support.star-payroll.com, sign in with your client credentials and navigate to ‘Download’ from the top menu.

STEP TWO

Please now extract the downloaded .zip file by right clicking on the file and selecting ‘Extract’.

Once extracted please now run the ‘Setup.exe’ to launch the installer.

STEP THREE

The set-up procedure will now begin.

When the installation of Star Payroll Professional – Server is ready to start the Welcome Screen will appear.

Click Next

STEP FOUR

This Screen allows you to select the type of installation required.

Select New Installation.

https://support.star-payroll.com/

6 Step 1 – Setting Payroll Professional Locations Payroll Professional Guide

STEP FIVE

You are now prompted to select the Client install folder to be created.

This must not be the root of the drive.

Network /Server install - use the Browse facility to locate the server path. Make sure all users have the same network area mapped using the same drive letter.

Stand Alone install - we would recommend leaving the default path.

STEP SIX

This screen prompts you to select the Application Files Path where shared files will be held (system databases and your payroll licence)

Network /Server install – select the path and folder on your Server. We would recommend this to be a folder called Shared Data off of the Destination Location path previously selected.

Stand Alone install – we would recommend leaving as the default path.

STEP Seven

This screen relates to the Star Link database, it prompts you to choose whether you want to Install New

database or Use existing database.

If this is a new install then select Install

New database.

If you are re-installing the program or want to link to another of our software products then select Use existing

database.


STEP EIGHT

This screen prompts you to select the Star Link Database (T2Data) Path where the T2Data will be held.

Network /Server install – select the path and folder on your Server. We would recommend this to be a folder called ‘Shared Data’ found in the destination previously selected.

Stand Alone install – we would recommend leaving as the default path.

STEP NINE

This screen prompts you to select the Standard Data Path folder where the data files for your payroll(s) will be held.

Network /Server install – select the path and folder on your Server where all the payroll data files are to be stored.

Stand Alone install – select the path of where you wish the payroll data to be stored, or choose a location.

STEP TEN

Select the workstation path.

Default - will force the client (workstation) install to place all files in the default path C:\Star\Payroll\ folder on the Workstation PC.

Custom – will allow the person doing the client (workstation) install to change the location of these files.

We would recommend leaving this as Force Default Location.

8 Payroll Professional Guide

STEP ELEVEN

Check this screen very carefully.

Section 1 confirms a New installation.

Destination Directories

Section 2 confirms the directory path of the Client Install Destination folder.

Section 3 confirms the Application Files path for the Shared System Databases.

Section 4 confirms the Standard Data path for the payroll data files.

Section 5 confirms the forcing of the workstation install path.

STEP TWELVE

This screen shows you a warning message about the install and once you OK the message you will see another screen showing the progress of the install.

STEP THIRTEEN

The Install Shield Wizard Completion screen is displayed.

Click on the Finish button.


STEP ONE

Open Windows Explorer and select the drive where the Server install was installed to, then select the Client Install folder and double click on setup.exe

STEP TWO

If you do not have Microsoft WSE already installed then this will be the first screen you will see. Click on Install.

Note: If you do not have Microsoft .NET Framework 4 installed, then you will also be prompted to install it. This is normally included in automatic Windows updates.

STEP THREE

select Yes to the license agreement.

STEP FOUR

Star Payroll Professional install starting.

10 Step 2 – Installing Payroll Professional Payroll Professional Guide

STEP FIVE

The Welcome Screen signifies that the installation of Star Payroll Professional – Workstation is ready to install.

Click Next

STEP SIX

You will see this screen, if you selected Allow

Custom Location for the Workstation Install Path during the Server Install.

If you selected Force Default Location then go to STEP SEVEN.

Choose the Workstation Install path by

clicking on the Browse button then select Next.

STEP SEVEN

Check the paths.

Click Next


STEP EIGHT

The Workstation files are now installing.

You are still able to cancel the install at this point by clicking on the Cancel button.

STEP NINE

The Workstation install is now complete; the Install Shield Wizard Complete screen is displayed.

Click on the Finish button.

12 Step 3 - Updating Payroll Professional Payroll Professional Guide

Before launching Star Payroll Professional you will need to update the software to the latest release. This can be performaed automatically or as a manual process. Both process are details below within the steps 3A & 3B.

The Payroll Updater requires internet access to download the latest version of Star Payroll Professional to apply when ready within your organisation. There can be some instances where, depending on your current network permissions, the updater is not able to function as designed. In these instances a copy of the Update is always available on request from the Support Site.

Requirements for use:

A working installation of Star Payroll Professional

Internet Access that allows access to http://payroll.starplc.com

In Star Payroll Professional, please go to ‘Help > Paths and Files’ and make a

note of these locations

The ‘Auto_Updater.zip’, available on: https://support.star-payroll.com

Administrator rights might be required if unsure please query this with your IT

department

Please ensure everyone has closed all payrolls and exited out the Star Payroll

Professional application

Please Note:

Do not attempt to run payroll on other computers whilst updating. This may interfere with the process and the update may need to be re-applied / restarted

BEFORE installation ensure your locations displayed in ‘Help > Paths and Files’ are backed up. If using a SQL server or if unsure please query this with your IT department

Steps

1. Download the ‘Auto_Updater.zip’, from https://support.star-payroll.com

2. Extract the contents of the ‘StarAutoUpdate.zip’ and paste into the program

directory, (you can find this location in the Help: Paths and Files) of each

machine running Star

3. Run the PayrollUpdater.exe

4. Click ‘Update’ from the main menu

5. Read the information on the download page – if you do not see any information

your internet access may be unavailable or you may be restricted (Please

contact your system administrator/broadband provider)

6. Once confirmed click ‘Download’. Please wait for the update to download

7. Once downloaded click ‘Install’

http://payroll.starplc.com/




8. Once installation has completed, the ‘Star Payroll Professional Updater’ will tell

you which patch is installed

9. If you have other users they will also need to do steps 2, 6 and 7

Updater Fig. 1 – Sample Screen only

Updater Fig. 2 – Click on Update

Updater Fig. 2 – Click on Download

Updater Fig. 3 – Click on Install

Updater Fig. 3 – The Patch will install

14 3B - Manual Update Routine Payroll Professional Guide

To source the most recent release of Star Payroll professional please go to https://support.star-payroll.com, sign in with your client credentials and navigate to ‘Download’ from the top menu. If you have a standalone install please save the patch on your desktop or on your shared Network if you have a Network or Server installation.

Before proceeding:

Unzip the file to a location on your desktop or a location on your network The following files will be displayed:

ApplicationFilesPath.zip

ProgramDirectory.zip

AmendedReportsAccess.zip

AmendedReportsSQL.zip

Schemas.zip For each zip file follow the instructions below: ApplicationFilesPath.zip This needs to be installed once, make sure no one is in the program.

Unzip the files to the Application Files Path (using WinZip). This path is shown on Paths & Files print.

If you see a message saying the files already exist do you want to over write them, select Yes

ProgramDirectory.zip This needs to be done on each workstation.

Unzip the files to the Program Directory (using WinZip).

If you see a message saying the files already exist do you want to over write them, select Yes



The first time you login Star Payroll Professional you will prompted to input your licence details.

LICENCE

Enter your Licencee Name and Serial number exactly as it is on your licence print out.

LOGIN DETAILS

As this is the first time going into the program and no users have been set up you are presented with a default user name and password to use

LOGON

Once you have entered the user name and password, select OK and you will be in the program

Installation is now complete and the software has been updated and ready to use.

16 Network & Server Installation – Adding Additional Workstation Payroll Professional Guide

To add additional workstation to a Network or Server installation you will need to run the ‘Client Install’ on each Workstation that you require Star Payroll Professioanl to be used. Make sure you are logged on as System administrator before repeating the process details with Step 2– Installing Payroll Professional & Step 3 - Updating Payroll Professional.


This describes the various possible installation configurations for the Payroll Professional product. For each it details the minimum hardware, software and operating system requirements that should be in place to support the installation of the product in a given environment.

Data Storage Options

Payroll professional handles two main types of data; central data files and individual payroll data files. Out of the box these all use the Microsoft Access file format.

It is optionally possible to use Microsoft SQL Server to hold the individual payroll databases as well as the central client information database T2Data.

Payroll File Storage Options

Payroll Professional uses a number of shared folders, configuration and data files, all of which need to be stored in a central location accessible to all machines running the product. Options for achieving this are described below.

Network File Server

Ideally all payroll configuration and data files should be stored in shared folder(s) on a network file server which is accessible to all machines on the network that have the Payroll software installed.

However, if required any workstation on the network that can provide an accessible folder share can be used to fill this role.

Whichever option is used the drive letter of the physical disk or mapped network drive to which the server installation is installed must be available to be used by all other workstations to map to the folder share.

Mapped Network Drives

The use of mapped network drives to a file share is the preferred method of allowing machines where the Payroll Professional software is installed to access the central data files. Where mapped network drives are used then the share must be mapped using the same drive letter on ALL machines.

UNC to a Folder Share

Where it is not possible to use mapped network drives a direct UNC path to the file share can be used, as with network drive letters the UNC path used must be the same for all machines regardless of whether more than one share is available on the folder.

SQL Server Data File Storage

Where Microsoft SQL Server is used for data storage consideration should be given to the potential increase in disk space and network bandwidth load on the server, see notes on database sizes in the minimum hardware requirements section below. The following versions of SQL Server are supported:

Table 1 - Supported SQL Server Versions

Product Edition CPU Minimum Service Pack

SQL Server 2005 Enterprise X86 / X64 SP3 / SP4

18 Minimum System Requirements for Star Payroll 2016-2017 Payroll Professional Guide

SQL Server 2005 Enterprise with Advanced

Services

X86 / X64 SP3 / SP4

SQL Server 2005 Standard X86 / X64 SP3 / SP4

SQL Server 2005 Workgroup X86 SP3 / SP4

SQL Server 2005 Express X86 SP3 / SP4

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise X86 RTM

SQL Server 2008 Express X86 RTM

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise R2 X64 RTM

SQL Server 2008 Express R2 X64 RTM

SQL Server 2012 Developer X64 RTM




SQL Server 2014 Standard X64 RTM

SQL Server 2014 Business Intelligence X64 RTM


BMS

Where BMS is being used with Payroll Professional then SQL server must be used for the shared T2Data database but Access MCP files can still be used for Payroll data.

Minimum Hardware Requirements (Client and/or Server Install)

Note that the following minimum hardware specification assumes that the machine is

dedicated to running only the Payroll Professional software, where additional software is also being run these may need to be increased considerably.

Table 2 - Minimum Hardware Requirements

Item Minimum Requirement

CPU Intel i3 processor or Equivalent.

Memory 4GB RAM.

Display Minimum desktop resolution of 1368 x 768

Display with DPI

set to greater than Normal (96

DPI)

Minimum desktop resolution of 1368 x 1024

(Setting application settings to classic view with small icons to get improved screen layout)

Available Hard Disk

At least 2Gb free of disk space before installation.

Hard Disk Space

for Data Files

In a bureau environment an average of at least 20mb per payroll data file

should be allowed initially.

In a commercial organisation running a single payroll approximately 200mb

should be sufficient initially.

Either case will depend on the payroll run frequency and number of employees per file.

On a typical database then for each employee per payroll run an additional 260k of disk space is required. This is an approximate figure as this will depend

on the complexity of the payroll setup.


Supported Operating Systems

The Following operating systems are supported.

Table 3 - Supported Operating Systems

Product Edition CPU Minimum Service Pack

Windows 10 Enterprise X86/X64 July 2015 with cumulative

updates.

Windows 10 Home X86/X64 July 2015 with cumulative updates.

Windows 10 Pro X86/X64 July 2015 with cumulative

updates.

Windows 8.1 Basic X64 With Latest Monthly Rollup

Windows 8.1 Professional X64 With Latest Monthly Rollup

Windows 8.1 Enterprise X64 With Latest Monthly Rollup

Windows 8 Basic X64 Windows 8.1

Windows 8 Professional X64 Windows 8.1

Windows 8 Enterprise X64 Windows 8.1

Windows 7 Ultimate X86 / X64 SP1

Windows 7 Enterprise X86 / X64 SP1

Windows 7 Professional X86 / X64 SP1

Windows 7 Home Premium X86 / X64 SP1

Windows Vista Ultimate X86 / X64 SP2

Windows Vista Enterprise X86 / X64 SP2

Windows Vista Business X86 / X64 SP2

Windows Vista Home Premium X86 SP2

Windows Server 2012 Essentials X64 With Latest Monthly Rollup

Windows Server 2012 Standard X64 With Latest Monthly Rollup

Windows Server 2012 Data Center X64 With Latest Monthly Rollup

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials X64 With Latest Monthly Rollup

Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard X64 With Latest Monthly Rollup

Windows Server 2012 R2 Data Center X64 With Latest Monthly Rollup

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition X86 / X64 R2 Service Pack1

Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition X86 / X64 R2 Service Pack1

Windows Server 2008 Foundation X64 R2 Service Pack1

64Bit Systems

32 bit Payroll is compatible with all 64 bit versions of the aforementioned operating systems and database server software.

Other Installed Software and Runtimes

In addition to the software mentioned above the following runtimes are required for the product to run. These will be installed as part of the product installation:

Table 4 - Other Software and Runtimes.

Product Version Usage

Microsoft .Net Framework. 4.0. Product code execution runtime (Windows 7 only).

Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Runtime

redistributable.

8.0.56336. Used by Crystal Reports Runtime.

SAP Crystal Reports runtime engine for .NET Framework (32-bit).

13.0.14.1720. Reporting.

Microsoft WSE 2.0 SP3 Runtime. 2.0.5050.0. Internet Submissions / communications

with HMRC.


Other Technologies and Environments

Windows Terminal Services / Citrix

While Payroll Professional is not expressly tested to run in a Windows Terminal Services or Citrix environment we have a number of clients successfully running the product with various configurations of this software.

As the product has not been specifically optimised to run in a remotely hosted environment consideration should be given to the increased CPU and bandwidth requirements.

In a multi user setup, optimal performance will be gained using multiple CPUs and/ or cores, separation of data storage and appropriate RAM allocation per user session (3Gb minimum).

Please note that in a distributed environment Payroll Professional does not support the application server and databases to be separated by the internet or a WAN. In a remote office scenario Payroll Professional should be installed on an application server within the same LAN (Head Office or data centre for example) as the databases. The user would then use RDP or Citrix to access Payroll Professional.

Use of Hardware Virtualization Technologies – Virtual Servers and Virtual Machines

While Payroll Professional is not expressly tested to run with any Server or PC virtualisation technologies we have a number of clients successfully running the product with various configurations of this software, such as HyperV.

Consideration should also be given to the significantly increased hardware loads such software requires over and above that normally required by the product.

In a multi user setup, optimal performance will be gained using multiple CPUs and/ or cores, separation of data storage and appropriate RAM allocation per user session (3Gb minimum).

Please note that in a distributed environment Payroll Professional does not support the application server and databases to be separated by the internet or a WAN. In a remote office scenario Payroll Professional should be installed on an application server within the same LAN (Head Office or data centre for example) as the databases. The user would then use RDP or Citrix to access Payroll Professional.

Star Payroll and Azure Services

Payroll can be deployed in the Microsoft Azure environment, an off premise cloud based solution. If you intend on using Star Payroll in this way, you will need the relevant permissions from your client base. You will require your own procedures for securing your data in the Azure environment. It is recommended you agree the configuration and security policy with your Third Party system consultant / Microsoft Account handler.

For a simple stand alone system the minimum is; windows 8.1 a basic “DS1” configuration with 4 GB ram. The amount of disk space required should be as mentioned above.

For larger configurations a minimum would be a DS2 server with a minimal sql express option.

You will need to account for your own storage and backup/restore methods when using Azure; You should discuss this with your third Party system consultant/Microsoft.


Star Payroll and Microsoft Software Support:

Over and above the aforementioned limitations, we will cease to support Star Payroll on any environment using Microsoft operating systems or database server software as and when Microsoft support for that software is no longer provided.

the professionals’ choicedownloads.star-payroll.com/538d85fc-a600-4cf4-8d1e... · 2016-09-27 ·...

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