Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool (SSCT)...–This presentation is designed to successfully...

Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool (SSCT)

2017 Lenovo. All rights reserved.

Intro to SSCT for Lenovo Pre-Sales Advisor Tool (PSAT) users

2 2017 Lenovo. All rights reserved.

Intro to Lenovo SSCT for PSAT Users

• This presentation is for users of Lenovo Pre-Sales Advisor Tool (PSAT) – PSAT will be sunset 3/31/2017, users can migrate to http://lesc.lenovo.com, however

– Lenovo ThinkServer systems MUST BE configured leveraging SSCT, starting April 1st

– This presentation is designed to successfully quote via SSCT with minimum training

Pre-Sales Advisor Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool

http://lesc.lenovo.com/


Lenovo SSCT for PSAT Users – Learning Objectives

• Topic 1: Tool Overview, Purpose and Features – Produce valid data center configurations with compatible options and price estimates

• Topic 2: Downloading, Installing and Launching SSCT – Download from http://lesc.lenovo.com/ssct and local installation

• Topic 3: Initial Start Screen / Preferences – Update Checker, Initial Start Options, Country and Language selection

• Topic 4: Configuration “Wizard” – Guided walkthrough of component and compatible options

• Topic 5: Configuration Mode – Shopping Cart, Component Catalog, Compatibles Toolbox, Quote

• Topic 6: Save and Import / Export Features – Output File types, Modify Currency Tags, Availability Indicators and Adjusted Prices

• References / Resources – Database, Find a Part, Menu Icon Mapping, Addition Training Materials

http://lesc.lenovo.com/ssct




Topic 1: Tool Overview, Purpose and Features

• Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool (SSCT) is a Lenovo solution sales application designed to run as a standalone program on a personal computer

• It is publically available from a Lenovo website in order to provide a readily available resource to Lenovo customers and Business Partners

• SSCT has been created to provide a user friendly interface for Lenovo sales, technical sales support, and business partner teams to facilitate technical collaborations in configuring systems

• SSCT incorporates technical guidelines in its database in order to provide accurate and valid price estimates, ideal configurations, and other associated requirements when configuring Lenovo data center products


Topic 2: Downloading, Installing and Launching SSCT

SSCT installation package may be obtained from:


Once “utl_cutil_1.65_winwrk_i386.exe” is downloaded, it must be executed with appropriate privileges to install the program locally. Reference the Readme for details

After Installed, “Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool” may be launched from the ‘All Programs / Apps’ menu within the “Start” button similar to other programs within Windows Operating System

Here is an example from Windows 10:



Topic 3: Initial Start Screen / Preferences

• During the launch of SSCT, a popup will automatically look for available updates

• Select the desired updates (SSCT or Data) and then click download

• The downloaded executable file must be manually run to incorporate the update

• Data Updates include Product Changes and Price Updates, it is recommended to update when available

• SSCT Update Checker can be toggled by de-selecting “Check for updates at startup”

The “SSCT Update Checker” can be launched by clicking the “Check for updates” selection under the “Help” toolbar menu item



• Upon launching the program, the preferences window will be displayed, prompting the user to define the initial settings for the tool



There are three initial “Start Options” to choose from:

1. “Wizard”: the configuration wizard guides the user with a step-by-step interface to select and create a valid server configuration

– “Wizard” is the recommended starting option for novice users

2. Configuration Mode: configures single or multiple standalone server, storage and networking configurations, that can be added to a single quote

– “Configuration Mode” is an ideal starting option once a user becomes comfortable with SSCT

3. Solution Mode: configures complex rack solutions containing multiple servers – This introductory training material will not cover this topic. Detailed training information is

contained within the SSCT application and can be launched from the Start Menu shortcuts



• “Country” and “Language” can easily be selected from the dropdown selections

• Screenshot of SSCT with “Canada” and “French” settings


Topic 4: Configuration “Wizard”

• Select “Wizard” on the Preferences window

• Alternatively the Configuration Wizard can be launched by selecting “Wizard…” from the “Configuration” menu selection



Step 2: Select Family - ThinkServer TD350

Step 1: Select Brand -ThinkServer

Step 3: Select Model - 70DG006WUX Click “Configure” to continue

Show only “TopSeller Models”

Note: Window can be resized



Click the “Processors” tab and add

a second processor by double

clicking it within the left pane, or by

selecting it and then clicking the

“>>” button

Tabs may be selected in any order, but it is

recommended to use the “Next” button,

pressing the Next button cycles through each

tab one at a time (Processor -> Memory i.e.)

Notes are displayed in the “Additional Info”

text box at the bottom of the screen and

displays any warnings or errors that apply to the

current tab


Topic 4: Configuration “Wizard” The “Memory” tab contains a sub-

menu structure, select each sub-

menu tab to configure

Click the “Memory” tab sub-menu to

configure compatible memory options



System information is displayed and

automatically updated when components are

added or removed.



• Some sub-menu’s have dynamic tabs based on the options checked

• “Internal” storage and “Tape” drive configuration tabs require selection prior to sub-menu tabs from being displayed



The last tab in the Configuration Wizard is the “Summary” tab displaying all the selections made. Clicking “Add And Exit” will close the Wizard and add the configuration into the “Configuration Mode” “Shopping Cart” / “Quote” window


Topic 4: Configuration Wizard Configuration Mode

After successfully adding a configuration with the “Wizard”, the following “Configuration Mode” window will be displayed, with the output of the “Wizard”


Topic 5: Configuration Mode

• “Configuration Mode” configures single or multiple standalone server, storage and networking devices, that can be added to a single quote

• This mode is the same mode that is displayed after the “Wizard” is successfully completed


Topic 5: Configuration Mode – Shopping Cart / Quote

“Configuration Mode” selection will by default show the “Component Catalog” for the Country selected and a blank “Shopping Cart” / “Quote” window

“Component Catalog”

The “Shopping Cart” and “Quote” tab window


Topic 5: Configuration Mode – Shopping Cart

The “Shopping Cart” tab view displays a list of each item in the configuration with its respective description, part number, status, position and price

A group named “Config 1” is created by default

Right click to rename

The “Group Name” input box


Topic 5: Configuration Mode – Component Catalog

The “Component Catalog” window provides a list of all components within the SSCT database that can be configured.

Selecting “Show subcategories” will organize the product families

by attributes such as “TopSeller Model” and storage attributes such

“SATA”, “SAS” or “SATA/SAS” and “3.5in” or “2.5in” chassis

Navigate the tree structure

through the product

portfolio until the desired

product is found. Double

click to add the selected

product to the “Shopping

Cart / Quote” window



• The selected item from the Component Catalog will be placed in the “Shopping Cart / Quote” window, the server and all included additional internal components will be added to the “General” section

• The Server will be added to the “Group” named earlier “TD350 ThinkServer”

In order to manage configurations more efficiently, items may be

organized into assorted “Groups” of items. Components can easily

be dragged between groups. Groups will be beneficial when

Exporting configurations to easily identify components within a

complex solution involving multiple components with additional

options and services included.


Topic 5: Configuration Mode – Compatibles Toolbox

• The “Configuration Wizard” can be enabled by the “Configure…” right-click menu

• or the “Compatibles Toolbox…” can be launched to select a compatible option


Topic 5: Configuration Mode – Compatibles Toolbox

• The “Compatibles Toolbox” is a dialog window containing an expandable list of items and is divided into several categories

• Each expandable category contains a list of components that are compatible with the system selected

• Compatible options can be added quickly and in user defined quantities, this can be more efficient than using the “Configuration Wizard”



• Options added to the component will be listed beneath by category

• The “Unconfigured” category indicates an option is unable to be installed

The ThinkServer Gen 5 750W Platinum Hot Swap Power

Supply (4X20F28575) is added to the “Unconfigured”

category because the base system already included both

redundant power supply units as clearly indicated in the

“General” section of the Shopping Cart. It is important to

review the “Unconfigured” category to see if the component

was selected in error or was an intended action.


Topic 5: Configuration Mode – Quote

• The “Quote” tab lists all components within all current configuration groups

• Indicated are descriptions, part numbers, quantity, list prices and adjusted prices

• Components listed are assorted by the “Groups” in the “Shopping Cart” tab

Note: This view represents what a configuration “Export” will contain


Topic 6: Save and Import / Export Features

• Save and Open SSCT configurations via the “Topology” file (.tp3)

• Configurations may be saved and loaded at any time while working with SSCT – This operation is performed when selecting “Save” or “Save as” from the “File” menu

– Load from a previously saved file by selecting “Open” from the “File” menu

• .tp3 files are the only files that can be Imported via SSCT

• “Export” provides a configuration report that can be sent/viewed in various formats

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• When the configuration is complete, the “Export” feature will produce an output file of choice with all the configuration details

• Supported formats are: .csv, .txt, .ods, .xls, and .xml

• Default is “Quote Group Format (.xls)”

Export files can be modified by deselecting:

“Include gridlines & top row”

“Include currency symbols”

“Include ABCD Class”

Remember these options by selecting

“Save as default file export settings”


29


Common Formats

• Quote (.csv / .txt) Creates a file with the list of components on the quote. The order of the components are as they were created. Does not require Microsoft Excel (.xls) or Open Office (.ods)

• Quote Group (.xls / .ods): The order of the component is based on the “Shopping Cart” grouping. The Quantity field is the total sum of equal components in the group multiplied by Configuration Quantity of the same group. This decreases the size of the resulting printed file, creating a simple summary report.

• Quote Server (.xls / .ods): Each system contains its own components, each component is its own line. The quantity field is equal to the Configuration Quantity of the group. This provides a fully detailed report resulting in a very large printout. It can be viewed as a fully expanded report

Specialized Formats

• CFXML (.xml) Creates a file that contains a configuration in a format that can be used by several other applications, typically this format is used for importing into CRM and other ERP tools

• ePricer (.csv): Creates a file to be used as an input to ePricer following the proprietary ePricer protocol



Topic 6: Export Features – Quote (.csv & .txt)

• Quote Export (.txt) viewed in notepad

Table Type Part Number / MTM Quantity Q1 Quantity Q2 Quantity Q3 Requested Price

Country Code US

Creation Date 13-Feb-17

Line Items

Lenovo ThinkServer 16GB DDR4-2400MHz (2Rx4) RDIMM 4X70G88319 6 249

Lenovo ThinkServer Gen 5 750W Platinum Hot Swap Power Supply 4X20F28575 1 299

TopSeller TD350, 2x Intel Xeon 8C E5-2620 v4 2.1GHz/2133MHz/20MB 2x16GB O/Bay 3.5in SR 110i 70DG006WUX 1 2699

• Quote Export (.csv) viewed in Excel


Topic 6: Export Features – Group Quote (.xls)

Standalone Solutions QuotePrepared for: Prepared by:

Your final configuration may contain hardware, software, and services; therefore, accounting implications

need to be taken into consideration. A bottom line price for the package/bundle should only be presented

with accounting approval.

Part No. Description ABCD Class Quantity List Price List Price Adjusted Price Adjusted Price

(per unit)

(quantity x unit

price) (per unit)

(quantity x unit

price)

US Dollar US Dollar US Dollar US Dollar

Misc TD350 ThinkServer

Added 2/13/2017 5:14:34 PM

70DG006WUX TopSeller TD350, 2x Intel Xeon 8C E5-2620 v4 2.1GHz/2133MHz/20MB 2x16GB O/Bay 3.5in SR 110i 1 USD 2,699.00 USD 2,699.00 USD 2,699.00 USD 2,699.00

4X70G88319 Lenovo ThinkServer 16GB DDR4-2400MHz (2Rx4) RDIMM 6 USD 249.00 USD 1,494.00 USD 249.00 USD 1,494.00

4X20F28575 Lenovo ThinkServer Gen 5 750W Platinum Hot Swap Power Supply 1 USD 299.00 USD 299.00 USD 299.00 USD 299.00

Total USD 4,492.00 USD 4,492.00

N/C = No Charge

Price File Date: 10 February 2017





Part No. Description Quantity List Price List Price Adjusted Price Adjusted Price

(per unit)

(quantity x unit

price) (per unit)

(quantity x unit

price)

US Dollar US Dollar US Dollar US Dollar


Added 2/13/2017 5:16:03 PM

70DG006WUX TopSeller TD350, 2x Intel Xeon 8C E5-2620 v4 2.1GHz/2133MHz/20MB 2x16GB O/Bay 3.5in SR 110i1 2,699.00 2,699.00 2,699.00 2,699.00

4X70G88319 Lenovo ThinkServer 16GB DDR4-2400MHz (2Rx4) RDIMM 6 249.00 1,494.00 249.00 1,494.00

4X20F28575 Lenovo ThinkServer Gen 5 750W Platinum Hot Swap Power Supply 1 299.00 299.00 299.00 299.00

Total 4,492.00 4,492.00

N/C = No Charge



Topic 6: Export Features – Remove Adjusted Price

• Note, to simplify the Quote tab view, and all Exports, the Adjusted Price columns can be turned off from the “Price Format” setting in the “View” menu item

• Resulting Exports will no longer include the “Adjusted Price” columns, helping to simplify quotes





Part No. Description Quantity List Price List Price

(per unit)

(quantity x unit

price)

US Dollar US Dollar


Added 2/13/2017 5:34:39 PM

70DG006WUX TopSeller TD350, 2x Intel Xeon 8C E5-2620 v4 2.1GHz/2133MHz/20MB 2x16GB O/Bay 3.5in SR 110i1 2,699.00 2,699.00

4X70G88319 Lenovo ThinkServer 16GB DDR4-2400MHz (2Rx4) RDIMM 6 249.00 1,494.00

4X20F28575 Lenovo ThinkServer Gen 5 750W Platinum Hot Swap Power Supply 1 299.00 299.00

Total 4,492.00

N/C = No Charge



References / Resources


Helpful Hints – “Database Window”

• The “Database Window” allows components to be searched for within the SSCT database

• Define the search criteria within the “Database” window by typing the desired part number or description and then clicking “Search”

The Database Window is helpful when searching for

components to a solution, but not necessary ready to be

added to the configuration. Columns are sortable by clicking

the heading, making it easier to deal with large search results.


Helpful Hints – “Find a Part”

• The “Find a Part” tool allows components to be searched for within the SSCT database for quick additions to a configuration

• Define the search criteria within the “Find a Part” window by typing the desired part number or description and then clicking “Search”

Upon clicking “OK”, all selected items will be added to the configuration

and the additions are then reflected in the “Shopping Cart” tab

An efficient way of managing “Find a Part” items is by creating a new

configuration “Group” from the “Shopping Cart” menu and then by

adding items from the “Find a Part” window to that new “Group”


Configuration Mode Toolbar Icon Buttons


Configuration Mode Toolbar Icon Buttons continued


Resources

For additional information refer to any of the following resources:

• Help Documentation – The help files include specific topics regarding functionality

of SSCT and is recommended for all users of the application

– The Help can be launched while working with the tool by selecting ‘Help Contents’ from the ‘Help’ menu

• After the SSCT is installed on your computer, find useful resources via: – Start Program Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool

- Change History

- Readme

- SSCT Education

- SSCT User Guide

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