System Requirements

Server Specifications

EXACT follows a client-server architecture and uses an ISAM database. Each user needs their own workstation, but the server can optionally double up as a workstation.

EXACT performance may be affected if other software is installed on the EXACT server machine, i.e Active Directory, SQL Server, SharePoint server, AV server or other server software. We recommend where possible that this is run on separate hardware
If you are running a large dental practice (more than 15+ users) consider scaling up the configuration. Please consult with Software of Excellence if planning installations with more than 50 EXACT licences
For detailed Hard Disk & Network requirements see: EXACT Hard Drive / Disk Selection & EXACT Network Requirements

We recommend using a dedicated EXACT server for the best possible performance (especially when using 5+ workstations)

COMPONENT	Minimum	Recommended
Operating System	Windows 10 / Server 2019	Windows 10 / Server 2019
CPU	Intel i5 or equivalent >1.8GHz	i7 or equivalent > 3.5GHz EXACT will work well with modern CPUs running at higher clock speeds, including Intel i5s, i7s, i9s or Xeon. Note EXACT’s database is single-threaded, so multiple cores (like those found in Xeons) do not offer a performance benefit.
RAM	8GB	16GB
Disks	1 x HDD	1 HDD + 1 (3 x SSD (ideally more with RAID)s + RAID)
Graphics Card	Optional, but if using intensive graphics such as with EXAMINE Pro; a video card that supports hardware acceleration	A video card that supports hardware acceleration

The server name should not contain any spaces or start with a number (this is not mandatory but it sometimes causes problems elsewhere). A good example of a server name is ‘SERVER’
Microsoft .NET 4.6 is required for EXACT, and should be included within current operating systems.
Processor performance can depend on a number of different criteria so we therefore suggest doing a CPU benchmark test score to check your processor.
This score takes into account all the criteria and will determine how well your computers will run. This can be done via the following link - https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php
Just enter your processor model and click Find CPU. Then note the passmark score and check below whether it meets the EXACT requirements.
Server Minimum: 4000 - Server Recommended: 8000
Workstation Minimum: 3000 - Workstation Recommended: 6000

Workstation specification

	Minimum	Recommended
Operating System	Windows 10 Professional	Windows 10 Professional
CPU	Intel i3 or equivalent	Intel i5 or equivalent
RAM	4GB	8GB
Disk	100GB HDD	100GB SSD
Graphics Card	Optional, but if using intensive graphics such as with EXAMINE Pro, a video card that supports hardware acceleration.	A video card that supports hardware acceleration.
Screen resolution	1280 x 1024 If lower, parts of the graphical user interface could be truncated/inaccessible. Windows Scaling Must not Exceed 100% as it will break the UI for both EXACT and EXamine Pro	Some features and modules within EXACT require a widescreen monitor, for which we recommend screens capable of 1920 x 1080 and above.

Supported Operating Systems

Windows 10 Pro (Recommended)
Windows 10 is officially supported from EXACT v11.10
Windows 11 Pro
Windows 11 is officially supported from EXACT v13.500
_{EXACT is working on Windows 11 - BUT - Before installing Windows 11, please consult your IT / Xray Suppliers to ensure that your Peripherals/Xray Devices/Intraoral Cameras etc. and their associated software, will still work on Windows 11}
Windows Server 2022 - Windows Server 2022 is officially supported from EXACT v13.500
_{EXACT is working on Windows Server 2022 - BUT - Before installing Windows 11, please consult your IT / Xray Suppliers to ensure that your Peripherals/Xray Devices/Intraoral Cameras etc. and their associated software, will still work on Windows 11}
Windows Server 2019 - Windows Server 2019 is officially supported from EXACT v12.20
Windows Server 2016 - Windows Server 2016 is officially supported from EXACT v12.8.

WINDOWS 8.1 Server 2012 and R2 reach end of life 2023

Windows 8.1 Professional or Enterprise 32 or 64 bit will reach end of life on January 10, 2023
Microsoft Office 2013 and Word 2013 will reach end of life on April 11, 2023
Windows Server 2012 and R2 Standard 32 or 64 bit will reach end of life on October 10, 2023

Ending Support in 2023 - Microsoft Lifecycle

WINDOWS 7, XP, SERVER 2003, VISTA & SERVER 2008 STANDARD IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED

Windows 7, Server 2008 R2 and 2011 End Of Life Update As of the 14th January 2020 Microsoft no longer provide important updates and we can therefore not guarantee the stability and performance of EXACT after this date
We strongly recommend updating any Windows 7/2008 R2 PCs to a supported operating system. Please refer to your IT services and/or the Support Desk for further guidance.
From December 2018 Software of Excellence no longer supports EXACT running on Server 2008 Standard Version.
If you are an existing EXACT user and you are on Server 2008 Standard - Do Not Upgrade as EXACT will not run.
NB: Server 2008 R2 is still Supported, however, we recommend you upgrade Windows if your Server is running this OS.

Not officially supported

STANDARD versions of Windows Server 2011 and any Windows Home edition.
Macintosh computers running Windows Parallel session (either in a virtual machine such as Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion, or installed directly) may run EXACT, but are not supported.
Virtual Machines (VMs) are not officially supported, The virtual machine and machine it’s running on need to meet the required specifications
You need to ensure that memory swapping between multiple VMs does not occur (i.e, don't have a physical machine with only 4GB memory run two VMs each assigned 3GB of memory)
Even in the best circumstances, you may notice slightly reduced EXACT performance on VMs.
Wireless devices are not approved or supported, except with Clinipad, Patient Portal Self Check in & Reputation Manager
Linux Operating Systems.
EXACT running over a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
WAN configurations are only supported in Microsoft Terminal Services or Citrix Metaframe environments.

Important Notes

Service Packs and critical updates: Please ensure that the latest service packs for all operating systems are installed. We cannot support operating systems that do not have all Service Packs and critical updates applied.
Folder permissions for a network share:
EXACT reads from and writes to these sub-folders under the Program Files folder on the SERVER: EXACTData, EXACTDemoData, EXACTResources Software of Excellence.
All EXACT network users require read/write access to these folders.
The EXACT application requires full read/write and change access to these folders.
The following are best turned ON: Network discovery, File and printer sharing, Public folder access.
NOTE: It is highly recommended that your existing server remains in place as a reference system post-conversion to EXACT.
Microsoft .NET 4.6 is required for EXACT, and should be included within current operating systems.

EXACT Help Files