System Requirements for Software Installation

Most software defines two sets of system requirements: minimum and recommended.
i. Minimum specifications are the absolute minimum requirements for hardware you
should have in your system in order to install and run the OS you have chosen.
ii. Recommended hardware specifications are what you should have in your system to
realize usable performance.
A. Hardware Requirements
The most common set of requirements defined by any operating system or software application
is the physical computer resources, also known as hardware. Such as:
1. Architecture
All computer operating systems are designed for particular computer architecture. Most
software applications are limited to particular operating systems running on particular
architectures.
2. Processing Power
The power of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a fundamental system requirement for any
software. Most software running on x86 architecture define processing power as the model and
the clock speed of the CPU.
3. Memory
All software, when run, resides in the Random Access Memory (RAM) of a computer.
4. Secondary Storage
Hard-disk requirements vary, depending on the size of software installation, temporary files
created and maintained while installing or running the software.
5. Display Adapter
Software requiring a better than average computer graphics display, like graphics editors
and high-end games, often define high-end display adapters in the system requirements.
6. Peripherals
Some software applications need to make extensive and/or special use of some peripherals,
demanding the higher performance or functionality of such peripherals. Such peripherals
include CD-ROM drives, keyboards, pointing devices, network devices, etc.

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 B. Software Requirements
Software requirements deal with defining software resource requirements and pre-requisites
that need to be installed on a computer to provide optimal functioning of an application.
1. Platform
In computing, a platform describes some sort of framework, either in hardware or software,
which allows software to run. Typical platforms include a computer's architecture, operating
system, or programming languages and their runtime libraries.
2. Drivers
Software making extensive use of special hardware devices, like high-end display adapters,
needs special newer device drivers.
3. Web Browser
Most web applications and software depending heavily on Internet technologies make use of
the default browser installed on system.

4. Other Requirements
Some software also has other requirements for proper performance. Internet connection (type and
speed) and resolution of the display screen are notable examples.

Determining Client Requirements

The installation of new software or a software upgrade involves a number of carefully planned
activities and people who specialize in the installation of computer applications.
Once the client's request has been evaluated, the computer supports person first analyses:
 The system components including the capabilities of the client's computer
 The processes that manipulate the data
 The current system deficiencies
 The system constraints
 The specific objectives and the performance requirements of the new system
 The corporate desktop software used by the organization.
Main participants in the installation of software

The main participants in the installation of new software include:

Clients or End-Users - the people or group of people for whom the software is being installed.

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Supervisor- the person concerned with the overall management and allocation of support
resources, and of all the technical staff working on the project.
Computer Support Officer - the person who receives a technology-free statement of user
requirements from the client and transforms it into a working computer system that will fulfill the
client's computer and business needs.
Staff Trainer - responsible for training all the staff in the use of the new software and for providing
documentation for users to support them with the ongoing use of the software
Help Desk Staff - their main task is to provide timely advice (usually over the telephone) to users
in the operation of the hardware and software in use
Network Specialist - the person involved with implementing and maintaining the network.

Client Involvement
It is a common belief amongst experienced systems analysts that the biggest single factor which
determines the success or failure of a system is the amount of client involvement that occurred
when determining the users' requirements.

Management Levels
Clients from different levels of management have different interests in software applications.
Top-level management is involved with:
 Providing initiative and support for the installation of new software
 The appointment of a supervisor
 Ensuring compatibility of the new systems functions
 The allocation of resources and approval of budgets
 The monitoring of progress by review at major checkpoints
Middle-level management is involved with:
 Receipt of regular progress reports so that they can monitor progress and make decision:
to abort or continue
 Appointing a contact person to deal with the needs of the vendor
 Ensuring that software purchased is of appropriate scope for correct and detailed support
of operations and meets the organization’s guidelines
 Advising on managerial requirements that will ultimately assist in effective decision
making.

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Lower-level management is involved with:
 Providing relevant information during the data-gathering phases concerned with the
functions that the software application will perform
 Reviewing various user interface designs such as screen forms and reports
 Assisting system testing and conducting acceptance testing when requested to do so
 Receiving training when required and reading all appropriate user manuals
 Ensuring that the supplied documentation is available and kept up-to-date

Documenting and Reporting

There are many documents that need to be produced and exchanged between clients and
suppliers of software applications. Two important documents that are exchanged at the initial
stages are the Project Request form and the Feasibility Report.

1. Project Request Form

i. Problem Definition
The user defines the nature of the problems and briefly describes aspects of the current system, for
example, that the existing system is not coping with the daily volume of work. The user may
outline the requirements (or a wish list) for the new system.
ii. Business Objectives
This is where the user indicates what the business objectives are. The system built will have to
meet these objectives.
iii. Anticipated Benefits
The user defines what they think the benefits would be if a change in the terms of software-for
example savings in cost/labor/time, improved customer satisfaction, improved reports to
management-were undertaken.
iv. Scope of the System
This section outlines what areas of the business (i.e subsystems) will be affected. Constraints and
limitations are also defined here, for example, budget limits, time frames, legal constraints,
environmental constraints, interfaces to other systems and so on.

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 2. Feasibility Report
The first purpose of this report is to describe in detail the business and computer requirements of
the client. Secondly, the person or team installing the software will recommend software and
hardware necessary to successfully fulfill the needs of the client.
This report includes:
 System summary - a small paragraph describing what the current system does
 Project summary chief - user name, support officer's name, scope, start date, end date,
budget
 Current system summary -system description and deficiencies
 New software constraints and assumptions - performance requirements, hardware
constraints, software constraints and any interfaces to other automated systems, backup
and recovery requirements, security and privacy issues
 Performance requirements and acceptance constraints - workload and volume, system
growth, response times, data access and data validation new software alternatives-
description of each alternative.

Unit Two: Obtain Software or Software upgrade

2.1 Software that conform to the organization need
2.1.1. Obtaining Software

Once a need for software has been identified a requirement specification should be created to
specify what software is required. For example a business identifies that they need some office
productivity software that will do word processing and spreadsheets.

A. Source of software’s
Information available on software products can be accessed from many sources.
Some of common sources of information for searching a product are:
 Computer magazines
 Newspapers
 The Internet
 IT consultants

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  IT department
 Computer suppliers
B. Verification of Technical Specifications
To help determine if the new software is suitable we will need to research the technical
specifications and functionality.

Software Prerequisites

Prerequisites- are conditions that will ensure the correct running of a software application.
Software prerequisites may include:
 Specific system requirements such as hardware or operating systems [but these are
listed as system requirements]
 The prior installation of another software package
 Services such as security and access systems, networks, Internet connections, and so
on.
Here are some examples of software prerequisites:
To browse the World Wide Web using Netscape or other Web browsers, you must have a
connection to an ISP (Internet service provider).

A. System Requirements
To ensure the correct operation of their software, most software manufacturers will specify
preconditions to the functioning of their software by recommending a minimum system
configuration. The system requirements may include:
 The hardware platform
 The operating system
 Resource requirements (CPU, memory)
 Storage capacity for the software and data
 Hardware devices such as a mouse, CD ROM drive, printer, backup device, modem.
 Minimum specifications for hardware such as screen resolution

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 B. System Incompatibilities
System incompatibilities are mismatches between the software and the system configuration and
or other installed software. System incompatibilities may prevent the software being installed or
prevent the software from operating as expected.

C. Contacting Vendors
The information collected on vendors and products can be extensive.
Information required from vendors will include:
• A list of prerequisites for installation and operation of the product
• A list of system requirements
• Support and maintenance services, requirements or arrangements
• Vendor details including history and client list for references
• Licensing details and options
• Product pricing and costs (including ongoing)

Licensing requirements
Verification of licensing requirements

Whenever you install a piece of software on a computer you must ensure that you fulfill with the
legal obligations outlined in its license agreement.
A. Software Licensing
 Is a legal instrument (by way of contract law) governing the usage or redistribution of
software
B. License Key
 A software license key is a pattern of numbers and/or letters provided to licensed users of
a software program.
C. Software Piracy
 The illegal copying of software.
 Refers to ways of obtaining software without the permission of the software holder
Illegal copying of software is done in order to:
 Use more copies on more computers
 Make the software available on a network

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  Use a copy for personal use
 Distribute copies to friends
 Sell copies to others
 Use parts of the program in another program
Copies are made legally for the following reasons:
 One backup copy to be used only if the original gets damaged
 Targets – Games & Application packages

D. Copyright and Intellectual Property

Copyright – the exclusive right given by law for a certain number of years to people (authors) to
print, publishes, and sells copies of their original work. This original work is their intellectual
property.

Types of Software License

• Register ware:
Refers to computer software which requires the user to give personal information through
registration in order to download or use the program.
• Shareware/Demoware
Refers to copyrighted commercial software that is distributed without payment on a trial
base and is limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience.
• Freeware
Computer software that is available for use with no cost or for an optional fee.
Freeware is different from shareware, where the user is obliged to pay.
• Open Source Software (OSS)
OSS is also free software.
OSS can be defined as computer software for which the human-readable source code is made
available under a copyright license (or arrangement such as the public domain).
 Abandon ware
It refers to software that is no longer available for purchase or that is at least a certain
amount of years old.

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Documenting Licensing Details
Depending on the organizational guidelines used, required details to be recorded may vary, but at
least the following should be included:
 Name of the software installed
 Version number
 Information whether it is up grade or original software
 License number
 License details
 Vendor name and contact phone number
 Date of installation
 Asset/serial number of the computer on which it is installed
 Name and contact phone number of a person installing the software

Role of Software Installation Instructions and Manuals

A wizard - is a user friendly interactive program designed to simplify and control software
installation. Before you attempt to install any software you must carefully read the installation
instructions provided with the software.
Dialog boxes - demonstrate the type of interactivity provided by installation wizards. It is not a
full sequence of an installation wizard but a set of selected screens with options typically provided
by an installation wizard.
Readme file - contains additional information about the software. (Usually it is saved as Readme
or Readme.txt).

Policies and Obligations of Software Suppliers

Help Desk Staff: Provide timely advice to users (over the phone).

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 Unit Three: Install or Upgrade Software
3.1 Installing New or Upgrading Software
3.1.1. Upgrading software

The term upgrade refers to the replacement of a product with a newer version of the same
product. It is most often used in computing and consumer electronics, generally meaning a
replacement of hardware, software or firmware with a newer or better version, in order to bring
the system up to date.

A. Risks of Upgrading
Although developers produce upgrades in order to improve a product, there are risks involved—
including the possibility that the upgrade will worsen the product.
Upgrades of hardware involve a risk that new hardware will not be compatible with other pieces
of hardware in a system. For example, an upgrade of RAM may not be compatible with existing
RAM in a computer.
B. When Should You Upgrade Your PC Software?
With new versions of the software being released regularly; one of the questions we get often is
how someone should decide whether they should upgrade their software to the current version.
We generally separate software upgrades into two categories:
1. Service releases or bug fixes and
2. New software versions.
For service releases or bug fixes, we tend to upgrade as soon as they are released since they usually
make the software more stable and reliable.
C. Is our current version no longer supported?
As software manufacturers release new software, they no longer support the older versions.
D. Does the new version have some features that will make my work more efficient?
Almost every software release includes new features designed to make work more efficient or
easier.
E. Has the software been out long enough to detect any significant problems?
We will usually wait 6-12 months after a major new software version is released before
upgrading.

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 F. Will I run into file format compatibility issues?
If a software application has changed the file format that the information is saved in, the new
files may not be compatible with the old version of the software. This make file incompatibility
with your colleagues so wait until all computer users use the new software.
Installing Software
Some software can be executed by simply copying it to a computer and executing it with no
further argument; no installation procedure as such is required.
Common operations performed during software installations include creation or modification
of:
 Shared and non-shared program files
 Folders/directories
 Windows registry entries
 Configuration file entries
 Environment variables
 Links or shortcuts

Types of Installations
A. Silent Installation
Installation that does not display messages or windows during its progress. "Silent installation" is
not the same as "unattended installation", though it is often improperly used as such.
B. Unattended Installation
Unattended installation, without the need of initial launch of the process (i.e. Vodafone Mobile
Connect USB Modem or Huawei E220's Mobile Partner software that self-installs from the USB
port).
C. Self-Installation
Installation that is performed without user interaction during its progress or, in a stricter sense,
with no user present at all, except eventually for the initial launch of the process.
D. Clean Installation
Given the complexity of a typical installation there are many factors that may interfere with its
successful completion.

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 E. Flat Installation
An installation of a program performed from a copy (called a flat copy) of its original media
contents (mostly CDs or DVDs) to a hard drive, rather than directly from the media.
F. Network Installation
An installation of program from a shared network drive. This may simply be a copy of the
original media (as in a Flat Installation).

Complete installation process with minimal disruption

Minimal Disruption to the client

Just like when installing hardware, one important consideration when installing or upgrading
software is to try and install the software with minimal disruption to the client.
You could consider the same installation schedule as of hardware maintenance such as:
 quiet periods (for example, during holiday periods)
 before or after normal office hours
 while the client/user is out of the office
 when the client will not be needing their computer
Test Procedures
Computer Support Officer – The person who receives a technology-free statement of the user
requirements and transforms it into a computer system.
Installs and tests the software.
Once the software has been installed you need to check out its correct operation. Testing
procedures used will depend on the type of software being installed.
For each type of software there are three basic functions which should be tested:
 Starting software
 Software operation
 Closing software

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Verify client requirements and client satisfaction
The last step which you have to do to complete the software installation process is to verify client
requirements.
Your client has invested in the software you installed, so you have to demonstrate to your client
that the program indeed does what it is supposed to do.

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