Mercury Systems FAQ's
Please contact Hatchgate Software
if you have questions not listed within this FAQ page.
Features and Usage
Does Mercury Systems support multiple users?
What database format does the software use?
What is the difference between single-user and multi-user versions of Mercury Systems?
Do I need to purchase SQL in order to use this software?
What is the minimum hardware specification needed to run Mercury Systems?
Is Mercury Systems a full POS (Point-Of-Sale) system?
Can I export invoices to my Sage Accounts software?
Installation, Compatibility and Upgrade
Do I need my own server?
How do you go about installing the software?
Is there a charge to upgrade an earlier version of the software?
Which operating systems are supported?
Will installing this software damage my pc?
Revisions, Enhancements and Customizations
Can you customize the software to meet my needs?
Do you handle feature and enhancement requests?
Can you customize our job sheets, invoices etc?
Is the source code available for modification or purchase?
Trial, Purchase, Registration and Support
Can I trial the software before I buy?
Are printed manuals shipped with the software?
Do you provide support for the software?
How long does it take for you to respond to questions?
Features and Usage
Does Mercury Systems support multiple users?
Yes - multiple user licenses can be purchased.
A single-user system is supplied with one license; a multi-user license is
typically supplied with three user licenses but this can be increased to as many
as your company needs (there is no upper limit).
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What database format does the software use?
SQL databases are used. These are fast, robust and extremely reliable. The SQL
database engine is supplied free of charge by Microsoft, and can be installed on
desktop pc's as well as company servers.
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What is the difference between single-user and multi-user versions of Mercury Systems?
Both versions of
Mercury Systems provide comparable functionality. However, the multi-user version allows multiple users to share
the Mercury Systems database over the network. A unique login can be created for each user.
Mercury Systems tracks updates to the database made by each user.
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Do I need to purchase SQL in order to use this software?
No, Microsoft supply a free SQL database engine called SQL Express. Mercury
Systems is tested on SQL Express 2005, SQL Express 2008, and SQL Express 2012. SQL Express can be
installed onto your server or primary pc by Hatchgate Software.
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What is the minimum hardware specification needed to run Mercury Systems?
Ideally, a screen resolution of at least 1200(w) x 900(h) pixels. Lower screen
resolutions can be used, however you will see scrollbars appear on certain
screens. The server/primary pc requires 300Mb hard disk space and at least 1Gb
RAM memory dedicated to the SQL database software. Client pc's/workstations
require minimal hard disk space, and around 1Gb RAM free after all other
programs have been opened. Obviously the faster the processor, the better.
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Is Mercury Systems a full POS (Point-Of-Sale) system?
Yes - Mercury Systems provides full point-of-sale capabilities and integrates to
POS hardware such as till receipt printers, cash drawers, barcode readers and
barcode label printers. Till takings summaries and other management reports can
be printed for end-of-day sales analysis. Mercury Systems is already in use by
high-street shops.
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Can I export invoices to my Sage Accounts software?
Yes. Both customer- and invoice-data from service jobs and over-the-counter
sales invoices can be exported to Sage Accounts. Safeguards built in to Mercury
Systems prevent invoices from being accidentally imported twice. If you don't
have Sage Accounts, the same export files can be imported into Microsoft Excel
or other accounts systems - please contact us for further details.
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Installation, Compatibility and Upgrade
Do I need my own server?
Having your own server is certainly beneficial, but not necessarily essential.
Hatchgate Software can, for a low-cost monthly fee, provide hosting for your
company databases on one of our super-fast and highly scalable cloud servers. In many
cases, accessing databases held on our cloud servers using a fast broadband
connection can be as fast as accessing databases on your own pc or server. Using
a cloud server also means you can access your main databases wherever you happen
to be, without the need for a VPN. Contact Hatchgate Software to learn more.
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How do you go about installing the software?
We use internet-based tools such as HatchgateConnect, LogMeIn, RDC and VPN to transfer files and
install software onto your server and pc's.
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Is there a charge to upgrade an earlier version of the software?
Updates (i.e. upgrades) are included as part of an Annual Software Maintenance plan, which is
free-of-charge for the first twelve months. After the first twelve
months, you will be invited to pay a small annual premium in order to
continue receiving on-going support and updates. This is a very cost-effective
way of ensuring your software investment remains fully supported and up-to-date.
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Which operating systems are supported?
Client operating systems: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions)
Server operating systems: Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012
(both 32-bit and 64-bit versions)
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Will installing this software damage my pc?
No. Absolutely not.
Mercury Systems has been created using Microsoft's Visual Studio - a
mainstream development
environment, which is designed to keep software applications completely isolated from the
pc's core
operating system. If a program bug should cause Mercury Systems to crash, it will
not affect the stability of the operating system in any way. Mercury Systems has
now been installed on over 120 pc's at dozens of customer sites without incident.
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Revisions, Enhancements and Customizations
Can you customize the software to meet my needs?
Yes - see below.
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Do you handle feature and enhancement requests?
Yes - within reason. Customers are actively encouraged to suggest new
additions and features for inclusion into the software. So far, all customer
requests that were deemed as useful to the majority of other customers were
acted upon. Even if you require certain changes that are unique to the way your
company operates, we are happy to listen to your requirements and
suggest possible options.
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Can you customize our job sheets, invoices etc?
Yes. Each customer is unique, so we will customize all job sheets, invoices,
despatch notes, stock labels, till receipts (etc.) to include your specific
company details AND graphical logos (if required). These can be produced in
colour as well as black/white.
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Is the source code available for modification or purchase?
No, the source code remains the property of Hatchgate Software at all times.
End-users purchase a license to use the software on their pc. However, Hatchgate
Software is able to produce customisations on your behalf - please contact us
for details.
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Trial, Purchase, Registration and Support
Can I trial the software before I buy?
Yes - we can install a time-limit user license on one pc, connected to our
demonstration databases.
Fill out the Request Demonstration form to request your demonstration.
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Are printed manuals shipped with the software?
No. Past experience has shown that manuals are time-intensive and costly to
write, and yet few people actually read them. Since most customers prefer to
call us if they need training or advice, a phone call has become our preferred
method of instruction.
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Do you provide support for the software?
Yes. All customers receive support via email, telephone and online connection.
This is included free-of-charge for the first twelve months after purchase. After this time,
most customers will choose to pay a small premium each year to continue to
receive on-going support and updates.
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How long does it take for you to respond to questions?
We endeavour to answer all questions as soon as humanly possible - certainly
within an hour or so on a typical working day.
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Please contact Hatchgate Software if you have other
questions not listed here...