Systems & Platforms

 Peripherals

Your system is not complete without the right to tools to do the job.  That's why there are many different options and peripherals supported by Down To Earth.

If you're interested in information on Terminals, Terminal emulation, Printers, or hand held scanners to use with DTE, this is the place to be.

Terminals:

You can connect standard video display terminals, PC workstations, or a combination of both to a UNIX based system running Down To Earth Software. Connecting your PC to the UNIX system requires Terminal Emulation software to convert your PC into the "cell based" format used in UNIX.

If you plan to use standard video terminals, we recommend that you use a standard ASCII keyboard with a terminal that can run a minimum of VT-220/400 emulation. (Running in ANSI mode is not recommended.) Most video terminal products support the "hot key" capabilities offered with Down To Earth in a production environment. 

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 Terminal Emulation software:

Connect directly to the UNIX server from your PC using a package called FacetWin®  which will allow you to connect to the server running Down To Earth through the network cabling. This type of cabling gives you much faster data transmission. It also allows you to print to network printers.

If you are connecting to a UNIX server using a serial cable from your PC system, you can use a number of emulation packages. Make sure that the one you chose, such as Reflection, allows you to program the keyboard to give you   “hot key”   capabilities.

     FacetWin® (by FacetCorp)

   Reflections® (by Attachmate - formerly by WRQ)

   PuTTy terminal emulation  -- (Free to download, licensed by MIT)

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Fax & E-mail:

Though not an actual hardware attachment, Fax software can also be utilized to send a standard 80 column report directly to a customer, vendor, or prospect via the Microsoft Fax modem "print" driver. With the DTE v7 or higher MS Windows® distribution, you can also fax or e-mail any report via the API printer function utilizing a third party print driver. Contact DTE Technical support to find out what works best for you. 

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Printers:

Down To Earth can run with a wide array of printers from Ink jet, Laser, Line, to Dot matrix. DTE can use the escape codes embedded in your specific printer to take full advantage of each printer’s available enhancements. These advantages can include font, pitch, orientation, and form feed settings. 

Bar code printing is also an option for many DTE applications but does require specific firmware and some printers are not supported. If you're planning to print bar codes from within DTE, please contact Technical Support directly for more information.

Additionally, the Windows distribution of DTE v7 also supports API printing for features that include, Preview, Find, Scale, and Network printing.

NOTE: HP1000 series laser printers require windows 'rastorized image' to print and do not print text commands. Some printing configuration and requirements in DTE require text commands.  Therefore, these printers are not compatible for any DTE special forms, checks, or DTE versions prior to v7.  

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 Hand Held & Wand Scanners:

Scanner models and technology change rapidly so it is strongly suggested to verify the supported models before you purchase.

Hand Held scanners or Pocket PCs can be utilized for the distribution and shipping side of Down To Earth from scanning the item ID to be shipped and received to using bar code labels for tracking inventory physical counts. In addition, the Pocket PCs can be utilized in the field for the DTE Water Management release.

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