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Platypus Getting Started Guide

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Overview............................................................................................................................. 3
Server Installation ............................................................................................................... 4
Client Installation.............................................................................................................. 10
Web Interface Installation................................................................................................. 14

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Overview
Platypus Billing System is a client / server based Billing, Provisioning and
Customer Management System. A typical Platypus setup consists of a single
server, multiple workstations running the Platypus Client application and a Web
Server running the Platypus PHP Web Interface.

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Server Installation

In order to simplify installation, Platypus installation sets are available for both the
server and the client. The server install consists of everything needed in order to
get Platypus up and running on the server.

Download the Server Install from

http://support.ispbilling.com/platypus7/download.asp

Once it has been downloaded, double click platypus7.server.exe to begin the

server installation and follow the prompts. Screens where decisions need to be
made are shown below:

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Server Installation Type

“I do not have Microsoft SQL Server installed” –Choose this option to install
Microsoft SQL Server Express and use it for the Platypus database. Microsoft
SQL Server Express is a free database server from Microsoft. It does have
some limitations; however it will work for customers billing fewer than 1000
accounts.

“I need to create a Platypus Database on an existing Microsoft SQL Server”

– Choose this option to install the Platypus database on an existing Microsoft
SQL Server. This will require that you have administrative access to the server.

“I already have a Platypus Database installed on Microsoft SQL Server” –

Choose this option if you are already running Platypus and want to continue to
use your existing Platypus database. This will allow you to install the associated
Platypus services without installing the Platypus database.

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Platypus Support Site Login

Enter the Platypus username and password that was used to create your
evaluation account or that is currently used to login to the Platypus Support Site.

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SQL Server Information

SQL Server – This is the IP address or Name of the SQL Server to which
Platypus will connect.

For SQL Server Express installs (“I do not have Microsoft SQL Server Installed”),
this option will be read-only.

SQL Server Password – This is the password that the Platypus Client uses to
connect to the Platypus database.

For SQL Server Express installs (“I do not have Microsoft SQL Server Installed”),
this password will be used for both the administrative account password (sa) and
the Platypus user password (platuser).

SMTP Server – Enter the SMTP Server address that is to be used as the default
SMTP gateway for Platypus and its related services.

Use Advanced SQL Configuration – Optionally allows the Platypus database

owner name to be specified.

This option is only available for installing the Platypus Database on an existing
SQL Server (“I need to create a Platypus Database on an existing Microsoft SQL
Server”) to avoid username conflicts with existing Platypus databases.
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Choose Components

The following components can be installed using the server install.

Platypus Client – This is the application that is used to configure and manage
customer accounts. For a simple installation, both the database and client can
reside on the same machine.

Database Utility – This utility is used to perform upgrades and install additional
components once the Platypus database has been created.

API Server – An XML based API Server for Platypus. This is required for the
Platypus PHP Web Interface and can be used to interface custom applications
with Platypus.

Wombat Services – Various services that are used for emailing, escalating and
categorizing tickets for Helpdesk users.

Reports – Platypus reports that are used by the API Server and the Platypus
client. Australian GST reports are specially formatted to meet Australian Laws.

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Install Location

Choose the Path to which the Platypus Client and associated services will be
installed.

Microsoft SQL Server and associated databases will be installed in their default
location.

That’s it! At the end of the installation process, double click the Platypus icon on
the desktop to start the application. From there, you can configure the system to
meet your needs, start entering your rates and services, and creating customer
accounts. The Platypus Client has a built in help file that can be accessed from
any screen by pressing the F1 key. Enjoy using Platypus!

You can use Platypus directly on the server without any additional installation. If
you need to run multiple clients or want to use the web interface, see the
following sections for information on installing these components.

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Client Installation
Once the server has been installed, the Platypus clients can be installed and
connected to the Platypus database. The Platypus client is the application that is
used by staff members to configure Platypus and manage customer accounts.

The client install can be downloaded from

http://support.ispbilling.com/platypus7/download.asp.

Once it has been downloaded, double click platypus7.client.exe to begin the

server installation and follow the prompts. Screens where decisions need to be
made are shown below:

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Connection Information

SQL Server - This is the IP address or Name of the SQL Server to which
Platypus will connect.

SQL Server Login – The login that owns the Platypus database (typically
platuser)

SQL Server Password – The password associated with the login above.

Test Connection – This button can be used to validate that the connection
information entered above is valid.

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Choose Components

Platypus Billing System 7.0 - This is the application that is used to configure
and manage customer accounts.

Reports – Platypus reports that are used by the API Server and the Platypus
client. Australian GST reports are specially formatted to meet Australian Laws.

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Install Location

Choose the Path to which the Platypus Client will be installed.

That’s it! At the end of the installation process, double click the Platypus icon on
the desktop to start the application. From there, you can configure the system to
meet your needs, start entering your rates and services, and creating customer
accounts. The Platypus Client has a built in help file that can be accessed from
any screen by pressing the F1 key. Enjoy using Platypus!

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Web Interface Installation
The web interface is written in PHP and provides a subset of the functionality of the
Platypus client and should be installed after the initial installation and configuration of
Platypus Server and Client. The Platypus API Server is required for the PHP web
interface and should have been installed in the Server Install above.

Documentation on installing the Platypus web interface can be found here:

http://support.ispbilling.com/ccs/

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