Minimum Hardware Specification - Cheat Sheet

This sheet provides information on Merlin Minimum Software, Hardware and Network Specification.

Listed below is the minimum specification required to run Merlin. If you are in any doubt, contact our MWI Animal Health sales team on 03300 947 587 (Option 2).

User Workstation (PC)

Minimum Specification

Windows 10
i3 Processor

4GB RAM

120GB HDD

Recommended Specification

Windows 10

i5 Processor

8GB RAM

256GB HDD

Windows equivalent Operating System must be within the Microsoft support dates to receive the latest security updates. 

Merlin is a browser-based system which will work on an Apple Mac system, however these cannot be supported by MWI.

Remote Desktop to a Windows Server from a terminal or PC is not a supported configuration, the local PC must be running the Chrome browser with Merlin.

Hyperion Host

Hyperion will normally be hosted on a User Workstation, however if this is not possible a dedicated machine may be used for this purpose, in this case the same specification of User Workstation is required.

Hyperion is used for Labels, Receipts, triggering tills, integration with Lab Equipment and upload of files to patient histories. A hyperion host is required in each physical location to serve local printers and integrations, it is recommended to leave this machine always on or be on a machine used every day to ensure no disruption.

Monitor

Minimum Resolution: 1024 x 900

Recommended Resolution: 1280 x 960

This is required for the best user experience; screen scaling and browser magnification settings can affect the viewable area.

Printers

Laser Printer

Most Windows Compatible Laser printers. A4 printing is printed directly from the browser to a locally installed printer on the User Workstation.

Label Printer

ZD421-203 dpi 

Zebra GK420d

Zebra GC420d

Zebra LP2844

Zebra TLP2844

(Other printers may be compatible, check with MWI Animal Health Sales)

Receipt Printer

Star TSP600 range

(Other printers may be compatible, check with MWI Animal Health Sales)

Cash Drawer 

The cash drawer is usually installed as a Windows Printer (on Hyperion Host) with a USB trigger device to open the Till. 

Network Speed 

Gigabit physical network connection for best connectivity reliability, ensure Switches and Network cards in PC's are Gigabit Speeds.

10/100 network connections may not support all your network activity causing delays with system use.

Broadband Guidance 

The following speeds are per concurrent user:

Download Speed: 0.6Mbit

Average usage is 0.25Mbit without document usage.

The above is indicative of normal usage after initial caching.

Minimum Upload: 0.5Mbit

2Mbit will handle most document upload peaks.

Caveats: 

A higher speed will always provide a better user experience, e.g. having to wait less time to upload or download a document.

Lower latency and higher speeds will result in a snappier experience.

It's not all just about speeds, the stability of the line is important.

Use Pingtest.net to help identify any problems with latency or stability.

If your broadband line is used for other purposes such as social media, private browsing, Guest Wifi and other cloud services such as PACs and VOIP then you must also add the effect of these to the required line speed or consult with suppliers to split services or add restrictions/traffic priorities.

Browser Requirements

Google Chrome is required with 64-bit if possible for best performance.

JavaScript must be enabled in the browser (enabled by default).

Cookies must be Enabled (enabled by default).

A browsers performance and therefore the speed of the application can depend on the PC, check the browsers performance on the hardware by navigating to: https://securecheck.vetspace.cloud/.

Support from MWI Animal Health 

Hardware purchased & supplied by MWI Animal Health can be supported by MWI for the duration of the hardware manufacturer warranty period. Note that this only covers the hardware faults and does not include any assistance with setup, configuration or usage of applications, networking or peripherals.

Software Support by MWI Animal Health only covers the Merlin PMS application, Hyperion agent and related integrations. Additional software used by your business is not supported by MWI Animal Health.