HARDWARE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM FORD OF

EUROPE FOR INDEPENDENT OPERATORS (2-12-20)

The hardware requirements specified below are suggestions needed to
run Ford facing applications. When selecting a computer, purchasing a
higher performance computer will increase the life span of the system.
Ford does not mandate brand or suppliers for computer equipment and
peripherals.
Service Bay
For specifications and guidelines regarding Ford recommended equipment for
diagnosis and repair using FordEtis Online, Ford Diagnostic and Repair System
(FDRS), and IDS standard please refer to this section.

Portable test unit (PTU) Hardware recommendation

Currently recommended hardware specifications
Status Processor Hard disk RAM Applicable
from
Recommended i5, 2.7GHz, L2 Cache 256GB 8GB 03/19
3MB SSD DDR3

Ford recommended equipment and software combinations for diagnosis and repair
can be purchased from Snap-on at http://www.shop-sbs.com/ford/etis.
Vehicle Communications Modules
Status Vehicle Communications Applicable Comment
Module from
Not supported VCM Mar-2015
Recommended VCM II Nov-2012
Recommended VCMM Apr-2017 Includes
measurements

Vehicle Communications Modules device status

When selecting a vehicle communications modules the following classification will
display in FDRS.

Approved
√ OEM tests are conducted to confirm that the specified
communications module performs as prescribed under Euro V -
J2534 compliance legislation.
x OEM tests are not conducted using this equipment.

J2534 Modules are not tested or mandated by Ford. Independent Operators can use
J2534 VCI modules with Ford’s software.

Page | 1
Vehicle Measurement device status
Status Vehicle Measurement Applicable Applicable until
Module from
Not Supported VMM Apr-2017 Some models not
supported from Dec-
2017
Recommended VCMM April 2017 -
Recommended DirectX 11 – DDI April 2017 Required for
Version 10.1 or greater VCMM(VMS) software

Portable Test Unit (PTU) Software and configuration recommendations

Updates to this information will be displayed in FordEtis at the following location:
http://www.etis.ford.com/diagnostic.do

Operating systems
Status Operating system Service Applicable Applicable
pack from until
Recommended Windows 10 LTSC - 01/2019 -
Supported Windows 10 - 01/2019 -
Not Supported Windows 8.1 Pro 64 . 03/2015 -
bit
Not Supported Windows 7 Pro 64 bit 03/2019 -

Internet Browsers and JAVA

Status Internet Explorer Version JAVA Applicable
Browsers from
Recommended 11 32 bit 32 bit 01/2015
Supported 11 64 bit 64 bit* 04/2015
Upcoming Chrome - -
Not Supported Firefox
Not Supported Edge - -

* Not StreetKa 2003 Ka 1997 or Ka 2009 PATS / Key coding

* Browser support is in accordance to ISO 18541-2 and measured using
gs.statcounter.com (filtered for desktop & Europe for the past 12 months)

JAVA downloads for Ford Diagnosis and Repair System in FordEtis

Page | 2
 Status JAVA Version Applicable Comment
download from
Recommended 8 Latest 28-Jan-2015
Not Supported 9 Any 03-Mar-2019 IMPORTANT - Do not
upgrade

Desktop PC
Use the following recommendations when selecting a desktop PC for the workshop.
Please keep in mind the following specs are designed to optimize Ford application
performance. Other Workshop needs such as 3rd party systems and applications, as
well as market availability may necessitate higher processor, RAM, memory, and
peripheral needs.

Recommended Specs
General
Processor Intel Core i5 or above, or AMD equivalent
System Memory 4GB or greater
(RAM)
Hard Disk Drive 500 GB
CD ROM Drive CD/DVD combo
USB Ports 2
Display 20” monitor (1600x900 minimum
resolution)
Network Adapter Ethernet based (1 Gigabit, higher when
available)
Operating System Microsoft Windows 10

Laptop PC
You can use the following recommendations when selecting a laptop machine for the
workshop. Please keep in mind the following specs are designed to optimize Ford
application performance. Other workshop needs such as 3rd party systems and

Page | 3
applications, as well as market availability may necessitate higher processor, RAM,
memory, and peripheral needs.

Recommended Specs
General
Processor Intel Core i5 or above, or AMD equivalent
System Memory 4GB or greater
(RAM)
Hard Disk Drive 320 GB
CD ROM Drive CD/DVD combo
Network Adapter Wired: 1 Gigabit (higher when available)
Ethernet
Wireless: 802.11n or 802.11ac
Operating System Microsoft Windows 10

Page | 4
Status Classification

Recommended
Preferred configuration for equipment being used for diagnosis and repair. Ford
actively test, diagnosis and repair content, under this configuration. Support will be
provided by the IDS Helpdesk.
Supported
Ford less frequently test diagnosis and repair content under this configuration.
Support will be provided by the IDS Helpdesk.
Upcoming
Under review by Ford for supported or recommended status but no adoption timing
and may not yet fully support diagnosis and repair. Support will only be provided by
the IDS Helpdesk where the configuration is not deemed to be a contributing factor.
Not recommended
May no longer fully support diagnosis and repair. Support will only be provided by
the IDS Helpdesk where the configuration is not deemed to be a contributing factor.
Not supported
Do not use for diagnosis and repair. Not recommended and no support will be
provided via the IDS Helpdesk if using equipment with this configuration for
diagnosis or repair.
Not usable
Technically there is a systems restriction that precludes correct use for diagnosis
and repair.

ends

Page | 5