Exact requirements vary widely among SFA solutions but it is inadvisable to try to get by on bare minimums. Additionally, everyone using the SFA application should be running at least Windows95 or Windows NT 4.0, with Office 97. For optimum effectiveness, users also need a high-speed modem, an Internet connection, and current Internet browser software. While exact server requirements vary, a dedicated server will give the best results. It s also a very good idea to build in system fault tolerance and an unattended back-up system.
Synchronization requires modems or a communications server.
A Web server is needed if any reps will be using Web Clients to connect to the main database. Since each of these items requires routine maintenance, the MIS department should be staffed appropriately. In one case I know of, a company decided to go with their existing hardware instead of getting new equipment. Each sales rep had a different hardware and software configuration and an old, unused computer became the SFA server. Needless to say, hardware problems plagued the project, users became frustrated at the slow response from the server, and the implementation failed.