Support for Macintosh
From RezOvation Wiki
RezOvation on a Macintosh? It's easier than you might think.
Contents |
Running RezOvation on a Mac
I have a Mac. What are my options with your software?
Currently we have two solutions available to you:
- RezOvation GT Online. This is our hosted version of RezOvation GT, which you can access from any computer over the internet. You simply need a web browser (Firefox is recommended; Safari is also supported).
- RezOvation GT standard. RezOvation GT standard is installed locally on your computer. To install RezOvation GT on your Mac, you'll need to either dual-boot with Windows using BootCamp, or (our preference) install a virtual PC solution like VMware Fusion or Parallels. Details below.
What option do you recommend?
We'll cover the options below, in order of preference:
1. RezOvation GT Online.
Advantages: Easy setup, no hardware required. Runs completely online; access from any computer that has Firefox or Safari browser.
Cost: Monthly fee for RezOvation GT online.
2. Buy a Windows PC.
Advantages: Having a separate computer for your property management software is always a good idea, because it means that your business computer is not being used for other purposes, loaded up with unnecessary software, etc. You can also install applications like Synergy which allow you have 2 monitors and 2 computers but share one keyboard and mouse.
Cost: $500 - $1000 for hardware and software licenses; monthly fee for RezOvation GT standard.
Where to get it: Check out Dell, HP, and Gateway for some great deals.
3. Apple BootCamp.
Advantages: It allows you to run Windows right on your Mac, and boot into it separately, making it very fast.
Cost: $100-$150 for a Windows license, and $100-$200 for Microsoft Office (optional -- you can also use Open Office for free); monthly fee for RezOvation GT standard.
Where to get it: Included with OSX 10.5 or newer. Requires an Intel-based Mac.
For more details, see below.
4. Virtual PC Software.
Advantages: Run Windows on your Mac without rebooting, right in a window.
Cost: $50-$100 for the virtual PC software, $100-$150 for a Windows license, and $100-$200 for Microsoft Office (optional -- you can also use Open Office for free); monthly fee for RezOvation GT standard.
Where to get it: See below for details.
Windows on a Mac solutions
Apple Bootcamp
Apple's Bootcamp can be used to dual-boot Windows on a Macintosh computer. This solution will allow you to run Windows on your Mac, however you will not be able to run the Mac OS at the same time. Please see Wikipedia for more details.
Please keep in mind that we cannot support any hardware problems that appear related to the PC (e.g. if you are using our credit card swiper, cash drawer, etc. and these are not functioning). We also reserve the right to decide if and when our support options have been exhausted, at which point you will have to use other avenues of support, such as contacting Apple for assistance.
Note that older Macs which run on Motorola processors do not support Boot Camp. You must have an Intel processor. Check with Apple if you're not sure what kind of processor you have.
VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion is a virtual PC application that allows you to run Windows (and just about any other operating system) right on your Mac, without rebooting.
Typically this is our favorite solution. It's easy to install and set up, and at RezOvation we use VMware every day for both testing RezOvation GT and for production servers, so we're familiar with it and know it works well with RezOvation GT.
See the VMware Fusion site for more details.
Parallels
Parallels is the original virtual PC software for Macs, and works just like VMware Fusion. It works well with RezOvation GT also.
See the Parallels Desktop site for more details.
Virtual PC
- This solution will NOT work reliably with RezOvation GT.
- Recommended for older Motorola processor based Macs (G3, G4).
- It is no longer supported by Microsoft, but if you have an older G series Mac, this is one of the few options available to you.
Software required to use RezOvation on a Mac
- Windows XP SP2 / SP3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
- SQL Express 2008 (free download)
- .NET 3.5 (free download)
- Microsoft Office Word & Excel 2000 or greater (to print letters or reports, and well as edit emails before sending; Excel is required to print the occupancy map)
- Open Office 3.10 (to print letters or reports, and well as edit emails before sending). Use this instead of Microsoft Office if you do not have it.
Support
Do you support RezOvation software running on a Mac?
Yes! With some limitations, of course.
Most newer virtual PC software, such as Parallels and VMware Fusion work beautifully with Windows applications like RezOvation GT, are easy to set up, and are pretty bullet-proof.
Having said that, if there is a problem that doesn't seem to be related to RezOvation GT directly (e.g. a virus, firewall problem, hardware problem, etc.) then support will be limited. In this case you will probably be referred to Apple support, or support for the virtual software. Also, tasks like installing Windows are outside of our ability to help, so if you're not sure how to do that or are having problems, you'll need to get help from a Windows-savvy friend or from Microsoft.
Finally, since RezOvation applications are developed for Microsoft Windows on Windows PCs, tested on Windows PCs, and supported with a staff that is experienced in troubleshooting primarily on Windows PCs, we may not be able to answer all of your Mac related questions.
Can I purchase a support contract?
Yes, and a support contract is highly recommended (and included if you sign up for our Basic Service or Booking Engine).
Just keep in mind some limitations - we will support the application that is installed, but not the OS that it is installed on. This means if you can install our software, and it runs, but then need help configuring it, or have an error message while using the program, then we can help. However, if you can’t install the software, or are having problems connecting to the internet, etc. – basically anything that is outside of the RezOvation software application – then we may not be able to assist.
