Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I connect to the Unibase servers?
Q: What is your business model?
Q: What hardware do I require?
Q: How quickly can I get up and running?
Q: What do I do if my system crashes?
Q: If I share a server farm with other users, can they see my data?
Q: Can I have my own server on my premises?
Q: How can I get support for my Unibase system?
A: You can either call the Unibase call centre on 011-621-7000 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. , or submit an email request via the website. In either case your call will be recorded, evaluated, and passed on to the correct support resource for resolution. After hours standby is available by arrangement, and the call centre is also available between 7 and 8 a.m. as well as 5 to 6 p.m. weekdays to provide business critical support.
If your request cannot be attended to immediately, a call will be logged, and you will be provided with a reference number to track progress of your request.
Q: How do I connect to the Unibase servers?A: All the Unibase applications reside on a secure server farm in Johannesburg. This facility has power generators, strict access control, regular backups with off-site storage and sophisticated security management. You therefore do not need to invest in expensive hardware and software systems yourself - you simply connect to our servers by installing the current emulators and device drivers on your Windows or Linux PC. These can be downloaded and installed in a few minutes. Call the help desk for instructions.
Q: What is your business model?A: Unibase offers an ASP model (Application Service Provider), where our customers use the software and services for a reasonable monthly fee. There is no large up-front purchase required, and no painful or costly periodic upgrades - these are provided free of charge. The monthly fee includes the use of the software, system and software upgrades, backups, month-ends, unlimited help desk technical support, and unlimited helpdesk operational support for most applications. Unibase believes very strongly in the value of training, and therefore provides ongoing scheduled training for its users free of charge, while initial training is provided for a small fee in some cases.
Q: What hardware do I require?A: Generally, you will be required to provide a suitable PC (Windows or Linux) for each user, arranged in a suitable LAN and connected to the Unibase server with a data line. We support services such as Diginet, Frame Relay, MPLS and ADSL or other internet connection, depending on your application and number of users. The system is very light on bandwidth, as all of the processing is done centrally.
Most of the Unibase applications will require appropriate printers, scanners or POS devices. Please contact Unibase for more information.
Q: How quickly can I get up and running?A: This depends upon the complexity of your application, and the number of diverse locations. The biggest delay usually comes from the ordering of your data line. If you already have a suitable data line, and assuming that you have the hardware or can acquire it quickly, then you need to consider a project that will include conversion of existing data, creation of your unique setup, data take-on, implementation and training. The smallest applications can go live successfully in two weeks, while larger take-ons may need one or several months.
Q: What do I do if my system crashes?A: That is the beauty of using the advanced features of the Unibase ASP model. We go to great lengths to provide system uptimes that are comparable with corporate systems anywhere in the world. Your system crash usually means that a single PC is unable to connect to our system. There are many alternative ways to continue operating while your PC is repaired. A popular solution is to have one or more wireless (e.g. 3G) cards which will provide a basic web socket connection to the server. That way you can connect to us anywhere, anytime, even if you are on the beach in Mauritius!
Q: If I share a server farm with other users, can they see my data?A: The strict password-based security enforced by Unibase ensures that user data is safe, secure and only made available to registered users within a single customer's organization. Role-based profiles further restrict data and functionality to authorized personnel within that organization. Customer data resides in seperate database accounts and is therefore inaccessible by other users.
Q: Can I have my own server on my premises?A: For certain solutions, particularly the retail suites, Unibase has released a backup server which resides on the customer's premises. This device continually synchronizes with the main server, and provides a critical ability to trade should the data line go down for any reason. When the line is restored, the backup server automatically and seamlessly synchronizes once again.