Technical Overview

t: +44 (0)1355 593400 │ f: +44 (0)1355 579191e: info@gaelquality.com │ w: www.gaelquality.com

Q-Pulse is a registered trademark of Gael Products Ltd.All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2012 Gael Ltd.

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Q-Pulse System Overview

System ArchitectureN-Tier.NET FrameworkSQL Server databaseActive DirectoryClickOnce DeploymentGold Partner

Licence OptionsPrimary LicencesSecondary LicencesSecondary Licence Functionality

Hardware and Software RequirementsServer Software RequirementsClient Software RequirementsServer Hardware RecommendationsClient Hardware RecommendationsMinimum Mobile Requirements

Configuration Capabilities

DeploymentDeployment Diagram

Implementation Methodology

Contents

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A robust solution based on proven technology, Q-Pulse has been specifically designed to advance your organisation. It does this by presenting improvement opportunities from the analysis of your compliance management records. Importantly, such is the flexibility of the system, it can easily be tailored to manage multiple compliance projects. What’s more, it will also flex with you as compliance activities increase.

The tool comprises a series of interacting modules designed to streamline key compliance functions. Modules in Q-Pulse include: Document Management for managing the change control of your policies and procedures; CA/PA Module for capturing and managing non-conformances, red flags and near-misses; and Audit Management for planning, scheduling, conducting and reporting on your audit and verification activities.

What does the system offer?The development strategy of Q-Pulse is centred on the use of an N-tier design architecture, utilising Microsoft’s .NET Framework and Microsoft’s SQL Server database. This approach ensures a powerful software application that offers:

� A robust and reliable database

� Increased transaction processing capabilities

� Improved system performance

� Improved deployment and configuration

� Increased storage capabilities

� Improved security at both database and user interface levels

Furthermore, by integrating with Microsoft’s Active Directory, which provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up network environments, the administrative time and effort required to manage Q-Pulse users and groups is significantly reduced. This in turn frees up IT resource to be

deployed on other priorities.

Q-Pulse System Overview

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N-Tier Using an N-tier approach allows for easier maintenance and support. This is due to the fact it is easier to change and upgrade a single specific component than to make changes in a traditional client / server application. Therefore, the impact of application change on the Q-Pulse development cycle is minimised and upgrades are brought to market in a shorter period of time.

More importantly, however, the N-tier approach offers the greatest flexibility in distribution. This is because the tiers can reside anywhere from a single desktop to servers and clients around the world. This enables Q-Pulse to flex easily from the desktop or local area network to the enterprise or web application level.

.NET Framework The .NET Framework is the Microsoft development environment that allows different programming languages & libraries to work together seamlessly. This creates Windows-based applications that are easier to build, manage, deploy, and integrate with other networked systems.

SQL Server databaseQ-Pulse is based on the Microsoft SQL Server database. SQL Server is a robust, scaleable, relational database management system that offers a variety of administrative tools to ease the burdens of database development, maintenance and administration. Q-Pulse is available in various database options from SQL Server Express Edition to a full enterprise solution on Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

Q-Pulse using Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition is ideal for use in the standalone or local area network environment, where there is traditionally a lower transaction level and limited user base.

Q-Pulse using full Microsoft SQL Server 2008 is appropriate for enterprise environments where there are a large number of users, significant transaction level and increased demands on database scaleability across a wide area network.

Active Directory Windows Active Directory service is the integrated, distributed directory service that is included with the Windows 2003 Server and Windows 2008 Server. Q-Pulse is integrated with user accounts and user groups held in Active Directory. This means that there is no duplication of your network administration efforts and that resources will be freed to address other IT project priorities. In addition, Q-Pulse provides the optional ability to authenticate with user passwords held in Active Directory. For the network administrator, this reduces the number of passwords used on the network. For Q-Pulse users, this means that they only need to sign into the network to be able to access the Q-Pulse system.

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System Architecture

Q-Pulse is a Windows-based N-tier application that has been built on the Microsoft .NET Framework. This utilises Microsoft SQL Server database technology and integrates with Microsoft Active Directory (AD).

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ClickOnce deployment In deploying client installations and upgrades, Q-Pulse now also offers an alternative to Windows Installer that takes advantage of Microsoft’s .NET Framework.

ClickOnce is a deployment technology that allows you to deploy self-updating Windows-based applications that can be installed and run with minimal user interaction.

By installing Q-Pulse onto the server, the application can then be copied automatically to clients. With the release of a new version, updates to the server installation will ensure that the latest version will be installed when a client next connects.

By being able to deploy Q-Pulse more quickly and easily throughout the organisation, the option for ClickOnce deployment reduces IT commitment to deployment beyond initial system installation and removes the need for administrator permissions to install applications.

In addition, ClickOnce deployment ensures that your Q-Pulse configuration can be easily and effectively replicated throughout the organisation, improving software control within the organisation, and increases the ease with which deployed applications can be updated to provide seamless upgrade deployment.

Gold Independent Software Vendor Partner As Microsoft Gold Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Partners, Gael Ltd deliver superior compliance management solutions for the Microsoft platform. Gold ISV Partners represent the highest level of competence and expertise with Microsoft technologies and have the closest working relationship with Microsoft.

Q-Pulse has also been awarded both the ‘Certified for Windows Vista’ and ‘Certified for Windows Server 2008’ logos, which recognises Q-Pulse as a truly robust corporate compliance platform, and assures users of Q-Pulse’s highest performance in the current Microsoft operating environments.

In addition, Gael has tested and fully supports the deployment of Q-Pulse Version 5.8 on Microsoft’s latest operating systems, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

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Q-Pulse is based on a concurrent licensing model, meaning that a licence is taken whenever a user connects to the system.

Q-Pulse is available with two separate licence options which are designed to be used in conjunction with each other: Primary licences cater for regular system users and Secondary licences cater for occasional users of the system.

For Q-Pulse system administrators, this provides the flexibility to create individual user accounts with the licence option that is best suited to each user.

Primary licencesPrimary licences are full Q-Pulse user licences and have access to all areas of the system that have been assigned to them by the Q-Pulse system administrator.

Primary licences offer full access to Q-Pulse, as per security access rights assigned.

Secondary licencesSecondary licences are Q-Pulse user licences that offer limited access to the system across a restricted range of compliance activities.

Secondary licences provide access to functions that are secondary to the day-to-day operation of Q-Pulse.

For a complete list of the functionality offered by Secondary licences in both Windows and web clients, see the table below.

Secondary Licence Functionality

Module Function SecondaryWeb

SecondaryWindows

LaunchPad Change password a

Change preferences a

Set deputies aWorkload Ownership re-assign aDocument Control View controlled documents a a

Raise document change request a a

Create personal document search folders a a

Access published document search folders a a

Acknowledge document distributions a a

Approve draft documents a a

Print document a aCA/PA Raise non-conformances based on customised wizards a a

Access published non-conformance search folders a a

View non-conformances that have been raised a a

Licence Options

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Module Function SecondaryWeb

SecondaryWindows

CA/PA Add attachments to non-conformances a a

Complete non-conformance stages and actions a a

Sign off and complete non-conformances* a a

Print non-conformance records a aAudit Perform audits a a

Update audit attributes, eg properties and checklists a a

Raise audit findings a a

Sign off and complete audits a a

Print audit records a aOccurrence & Incident**

View occurrence reports a a

Edit occurrence reports a a

Raise occurrence reports a a

Print occurrence records a a

View Incident reports a a

Edit Incident reports a

Print incident records aAsset Management View asset register and record details a

Raise non-conformances against assets through templates and wizards a

Launch linked procedure from asset a

Print asset records aTraining View published training schedule a

View and edit attendee details a

View and edit personal competencies a

View and edit personal learning events a

Edit personal learning event feedback a

Print training records aPeople View person details a

Add or edit a competency / requirement a

Print people records a

contd. >>>

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Customers Read customer records a

Print customer records aSuppliers Read supplier records a

Print supplier records a

* This functionality does not include the ability to enter root cause fields.** This functionality is only available when the Incidents and Occurrences modules have been purchased and activated.

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Hardware and Software Requirements

Server Software Requirements

Your database can either be installed as an SQL Server or as an SQL Express Edition. The server software requirements of each option are included below.

Database Engine � SQL Server – if the database is to be installed to SQL Server 2005 or 2008:

� SQL Server 2005 SP2 or 2008 is requiredPlease refer to the released Microsoft® literature for your SQL Server Edition for further information on installation requirements and instructions. � SQL Server Management Objects Version 10 (these may need to be installed manually, the server installation will inform you if this is the case. SQL Server Management Objects Version 10 are available on the installation disc) � Disk Cost: Database = 50MB (initial size)

� SQL Express Edition – if the database is to be installed to a new Express instance, SQL Server Express must be installed before running the database installation. Please refer to the released Microsoft® literature for SQL Server Express for further information on installation requirements and instructions.

N.B. If the database is going to be installed to a remote SQL Express server then the following is required:DMO SQL Distributed Management Objects are required to validate database selections or alternatively install Enterprise Manager or SQL Server Management Studio. Backward compatible DMO can be found here.

DMO SQL Distributed Management Objects are required to validate database selections or alternatively install Enterprise Manager or SQL Server Management Studio. Backward compatible DMO can be found here.

Q-Pulse Application Server � Disk Cost: 100MB � Operating System: Windows 2003 SP2 or Windows 2008 Server R1 or R2 (x86 and x64 versions are supported) � .NET 3.5 SP1

Client Software Requirements

Q-Pulse Client � Operating System: Win XP Pro SP2 or Win Vista SP1 (x86 and x64 versions are supported), Win 7 (x86 and x64) � .NET 3.5 Framework SP1 � Disk Cost: Q-Pulse Client Only = 60MB; Q-Pulse + .NET 3.5 = 560MB

Audit Log Viewer (Feature Enabled) � Disk Cost: 30MBOther requirements are identical to the Q-Pulse Client.

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Server Hardware RecommendationsThe server chosen to host Q-Pulse must be scaled to suit the installation environment, for example an organisation that has 5 Q-Pulse users operating within a local high speed network will have different hardware requirements to that of a multi-office organisation with over 100 concurrent users. The examples below are for guidance only.

QMS Servers (Not using the Occurrence & Incidents Modules)

IMS Servers (Using the Occurrences & Incidents Modules)The dynamic nature of data used in the Occurrence and Incidents modules (feature enabled) requires additional processing power and memory).

* The term ‘users’ does not imply the number of licences purchased but the average number of concurrent Q-Pulse user sessions expected on the server at any given time.

Initial disk cost can be determined from the software requirements. The ongoing storage capacity requirements depend entirely on the number and size of the databases installed. For guidance only, 10GB of available storage space would be adequate for a medium size company. Additional space weighting should be given if the Audit Log feature has been purchased.

Client Hardware Recommendations

QMS Servers (Not using the Occurrences & Incidents Modules)

1 - 25 concurrent Q-Pulse users* Processor: 2.4GHz Dual Core Xeon processor or

better

RAM: 2GB or better

25 - 50 concurrent Q-Pulse users*

Processor: 2.8GHz Dual Core or better

RAM: 4GB or better

50+ concurrent Q-Pulse users*

Processor: 2.6GHz Quad Core or better

RAM: 8GB

IMS Servers (Using the Occurrences & Incidents Modules)

The dynamic nature of data used in the Occurrence and Incidents modules (feature enabled) requires additional processing power and memory.

1 - 25 concurrent Q-Pulse users* Processor: 2.8GHz Dual Core Xeon processor or

better

RAM: 4GB or better

25 - 50 concurrent Q-Pulse users*

Processor: 2.6GHz Quad Core or better

RAM: 8GB or better

50+ concurrent Q-Pulse users*

Processor: 2 X 2.6GHz Quad

RAM: 10GB

Processor: 1.7GHz or better (2.0GHz single core or 1.6GHz dual core for Vista/Win 7)

RAM: 1GB or better for QMS users, 2GB or better for IMS users (2GB/4GB for Vista/Win7 respectively)

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Unlike many commercial off-the-shelf software applications that are limited in their configuration options, Q-Pulse contains extensive configuration capabilities. These enable you to shape the application around both your existing business processes and end user roles. Whilst many systems limit configuration to field name modification, the inherent flexibility of Q-Pulse allows you to define a management system tool that is truly “yours” and is therefore much more likely to be embraced by your end users.

Configuration options in Q-Pulse include: � Configurable problem and opportunity wizards built on your specific recording requirements

� Saved data search folders that are published to all relevant parties

� Branding all Q-Pulse reports with your company logo

� Configurable user desktop containing shortcuts to their most frequently used Q-Pulse processes

� Internal report-writing utility allows you to create company-specific reports without any 3rd party application

� Drag-and-drop fields into saved user views

� User-defined shortcuts to their saved search folders

� Defined document approval workflows that match the approval process of your organisation

� User-defined problem and opportunity templates that match the activities and workflows of your various

non-conformance handling processes

In short, Q-Pulse will accurately reflect both the business processes and user roles of your management system. This means your staff will be able to easily relate to it and will be therefore significantly more likely to interact with it.

Configuration Capabilities

Requirement Docs Audit

iPad TypeiPad 1 iPad 2

Q-Pulse Version Q-Pulse 5.8 Q-Pulse 5.8

Services NeededAPI Web Services

Q-Pulse Offline Audit Server

Minimum Mobile Requirements

Note: Although the Documents app works on an iPad 1, an iPad 2 is recommended for performance.

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As an N-tier database application, Q-Pulse can be deployed with a great deal of flexibility across your network. The tiers can reside anywhere from a single desktop to servers and clients around the world. Whether you require Q-Pulse running on a single local area network serving a user base of 50 people or across multiple time zones on a wide area network with thousands of users, there is a deployment option to support your organisation.

The installation and deployment of Q-Pulse is performed via Windows Installer, the component of the Windows 2003 Server and Windows 2008 Server operating systems that simplifies the application installation process. This means that application deployment tools that support MSI files can be used to deploy the tool. These tools include SMS and Group Policy.

Q-Pulse Business EditionQ-Pulse Business Edition has been specifically designed to cater for compliance projects operating at a single physical location or at a defined number of separate locations.

Utilising an embedded SQL Server database, Business Edition is ideal for compliance projects with a total user community not exceeding 25 concurrent users.

Q-Pulse Enterprise EditionQ-Pulse Enterprise Edition has been specifically designed for corporate compliance projects operating at a large number of locations, either nationally or internationally.

Enterprise Edition is a fully scaleable solution that is ideal for compliance projects with a significant user community across the entire organisation.

Q-Pulse Web ClientIn addition to deployment to Windows clients, core Q-Pulse modules can be accessed via web client using a web browser, ensuring that users can access the compliance management system regardless of their ability to access a client on which Q-Pulse has been deployed.

Deployment options for Q-Pulse and their relative advantages are as follows:

Note: Q-Pulse can be also be configured to operate in Proxy Server environments. A Proxy server provides the benefit of an additional security layer to protect machines behind it.

Option Implication Advantage Business Enterprise

1. Single Machine User Interface, Business Logic and Database all exist on same machine

Ideal for standalone systems with only one user

a

2. Lightweight ‘Client & Server’

User Interface exists on Client Machine(s) with both the Business Logic and Database existing on one server

Ideal for local area networks with 10 concurrent users or less

a

3. Three-Tier 3 application tiers are distributed between 3 physical tiers:Client Machine(s)Business Logic ServerDatabase Server

Ideal for systems serving a large user base where a dedicated application server and database server optimises system performance

a

4. N-Tier More than 3 physical tiers:Client Machine(s)Business Logic ServerDatabase ServerThe Database Server also contains multiple instances of the Q-Pulse database.

Ideal for systems serving a large user base where a dedicated application server and database server optimises system performance

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Deployment

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Deployment Diagram

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The tools and techniques used by our Q-Pulse implementation consultants have been specifically developed to ensure that the knowledge that we have learned on successful Q-Pulse projects is available for reuse on other Q-Pulse deployments. By having a robust, proven framework in place for implementing Q-Pulse, the time and effort taken to implement the solution is minimised. This ensures that your organisation quickly gains advantage from their use of Q-Pulse.

The Q-Pulse implementation methodology is split into 7 distinct stages:

This structured approach to the implementation of Q-Pulse ensures that:

� Risks are minimised as efforts are based on proven past experiences

� Project objectives are clearly defined and tasks carefully managed

� Successful implementations can be easily replicated throughout the organisation

Analyse Detail the strategic objectives of your compliance automation project. Define your technical, functional and reporting requirements. Obtain agreement on these objectives and requirements.

Install Install the software onto your chosen server environment.

Configure Import your user groups and end user details from Active Directory. Configure key areas in the software to match your organisational requirements.

Customise Customise Q-Pulse terminology to match the language of your management system. Define document approval workflows. Create problem and opportunity templates specific to your organisation.

Deploy Deploy the software to all identified end users. Communicate the deployment to all identified end users. Brief the end users on the project objectives and their roles in achieving them.

Train Train the IT project team on system administration, maintenance and ongoing support. Train the end users on the functionality of Q-Pulse that supports the project’s strategic objectives.

Reinforce Reinforce knowledge gained during on-site training by offering access to the Academy, our online training service. Access to the Academy begins upon completion of on-site training.

Implementation Methodology

T +44 1355 593400 | F +44 1355 579191 | E info@gaelquality.com | W www.gaelquality.comGael Ltd, Orion House, S.E. Technology Park, East Kilbride, Scotland. G75 0RD

Q-Pulse is a registered trademark of Gael Products Ltd.All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2012 Gael Ltd.QPM-23 / 16