Required Software
Typica can benefit from certain supporting software and some hardware requires software for communicating with that hardware.
PostgreSQL
Most of the features of Typica use a PostgreSQL database. This is where the data on all of the batches of coffee you roast will be saved, where inventory data will be saved, and it is the source of all data used in reports. While it is possible to use Typica without PostgreSQL, the usable feature set will be highly limited.
The easiest way to set this up is to install PostgreSQL on the same computer that will be running Typica, however there are some advantages to running the database on a different machine on the network. That requires some additional work to set up PostgreSQL to accept connections from other computers on your network, but this allows multiple computers to run Typica and access the same data.
PostgreSQL can be obtained from www.postgresql.org. There you can download the appropriate binary package for the platform you intend to run the database on. Typica requires version 9.3 or later, however the people behind PostgreSQL have a very good history of making new versions better than the old one so the newest stable release is recommended for new installations. When installing PostgreSQL, please make note of the password that you choose for the postgres user as you will need this information later.
If you do want to set up PostgreSQL for use over a network, you may find this section of the documentation helpful. This blog post may also be useful.
Once you are finished installing and setting up PostgreSQL, you may want to restart your computer and verify that the PostgreSQL starts on boot.
Optional: Setting up a Database and User Role
The PostgreSQL installer will set up a user role called
postgres and a database called The software that you need to communicate with your data
acquisition hardware depends on what hardware you intend to use. No additional software is strictly required for devices that
communicate using the Modbus RTU protocol. Most of these devices
are connected with RS-485, which is not a standard you are likely
to find built into your computer so you will most likely need
an adapter that allows you to connect the bus to your computer
through a USB connection. Your computer should see this adapter
as an ordinary serial port, however you may need to install
driver software for the adapter you choose. Ensure that the
adapter is supported on whatever platform you intend to use. Certain hardware from National Instruments requires
NI-DAQmx. Typica has been tested with version 9.6.1, however newer hardware revisions of some supported hardware requires a newer version. See
Supported Platforms and Hardware
for more details. Certain hardware from National Instruments requires NI-DAQmx Base.
The version you will need depends on the hardware you have. See
Supported Platforms and Hardware
for more details. You will also need to download Typica to be able to use Typica.Hardware Communications Software
Software for Modbus RTU device support
NI DAQmx Devices - Microsoft Windows Only
NI DAQmx Base Devices
Typica