Technical description

System architecture
File server reMARK server
attachments components reMARK app

Microsoft
SQL server

Mail server Client pc


Client application
The client application handles all input given from the user, such
as creation of emails or Clients and commands given to e.g. send
an email using a certain email function. The actions that users can
perform in the client application depend on the settings including
access rights that have been set up on the central application
server. The client application can both be installed locally and
accessed via a virtual environment such as Citrix. In this regard, it
is important to remember that the speed of the client application
is restricted by the speed of the network connection between the
client application and the SQL database. This means that the best
performance is achieved when both client and SQL database are
installed on the same network.
General requirements
The reMARK application is build upon the Microsoft.NET
framework and requires this framework to be installed in order
to function. To achieve optimal performance, we recommend
Windows Server 2008 R2 or later on servers and Windows Vista
or later on client machines.The fast searching, retrieval and
storage of emails is made possible by the SQL server which the
reMARK software connects to. Here we require using Microsoft
SQL Server 2008 R2 or later (Standard or Enterprise edition
recommended). Since both server and client components
are constantly communicating with the SQL database, a good
network connection to the SQL database is needed in order to
avoid unnecessary slowdowns.
Automatic updates
The client application is kept up to date by communicating with
the services running on the server machine.
When the server application is updated, the next time the user
restarts the client application, the client will compare the currently
installed version on the client machine with the one on the server
and will, if needed, automatically download and install the newest
client version of the application.
Server components
The server application handles all application-wide settings, such
as user rights and application extensions. It also handles all sending
and receiving of objects, such as emails or faxes depending on
which drivers and lines are set up. Available drivers include SMS,
fax (DSP or MS) and email (IMAP, EWS or POP3).
Send and receive controllers
The drivers handle receiving and sending of relevant objects
and assign them to the corresponding line. They are controlled
externally by controllers, where the Send controller handles the
sending procedure and the Receive controller handles the receiving
procedure. When e.g. an email enters on a line, its corresponding
driver parses it and saves it on the disk in a format the Receive
controller can read. The Receive controller is constantly scanning the
folders for newly entered emails and when it finds one, it transforms
it into a reMARK email and saves it in the database accordingly.
Task controller
In order to better control the resources used, a separate controller
called the Task controller is in charge of selecting tasks to be
executed and executors to perform them. Thus, when e.g. a user
wants to send out an email, a new task is created and when the
Task controller deems it appropriate, it issues a command to the
Send controller to perform this task. The Send controller forwards
the command to the relevant driver, which in turn ensures that the
email is sent out from the selected line.
Rule controller
Rules in reMARK such as filing in Filter view folders, SPAM filtering
and manually set rules are controlled by the Rule controller,
which reviews all new emails in the system in order to see if any
rule should be triggered. Internally this task is distributed to a
number of rule executors, the number of which can be set from
the administrator tool in order to achieve optimal performance.
Exchange synchronization controller
reMARK integrates with Microsoft Exchange and synchronization
can be set up by using the Exchange synchronization controller.
Here it is possible to set up which messages, contacts and calendar
objects that should be synchronized from Exchange. All versions
from Exchange 2007 SP1 or later are supported, including
Exchange server and Exchange Online (Office 365).
Other controllers
Several other controllers can be set up in the server side
application including SMTP/IMAP/POP3 servers for email, remote
synchronization controller (handles synchronization of objects
between multiple sites) and app controller (handles communication
between the reMARK server and the app).
Database
Microsoft SQL server
All objects, whether created by the client
or received at the server, are created and
maintained in the SQL database. To allow
for optimal performance, both client and
server applications can communicate
directly with the SQL database with
certain restrictions. By storing data in a
database, we ensure fast search, retrieval
and storage of objects. Since all objects
are stored in the database and not locally
on users’ machines, it means that e.g.
removing an email from a folder does
not delete it from the system. It can
always be retrieved again. Furthermore,
by tracking and storing user actions
on the objects in the database, we can
synchronize the information between
workstations. This means that actions
performed by one user are instantly
propagated and shown to all other
users of the system.
Remote synchronization
It is possible to enable remote
synchronization between two or more
reMARK systems (sites) by creating a
remote synchronization controller in the
server application. Here it is possible
to configure if the system should be
synchronizing 1- or 2-ways (server, client
or both) as well as the end points for the
communication: Port to use as server and
URL and port to connect to as client. In the
controller, it is also possible to select which
objects should be synchronized as well as
further details, such as which lines or folders
to synchronize and whether categories
and extra fields should be synchronized as
well. Internally the remote synchronization
controller contains a WCF service that
communicates via TCP with a corresponding
WCF service at the other site.
File server attachments
The service running on the server machine
also handles file storage and allows
attachments to be stored locally on the
server or in a user-specified location such
as a network drive, as well as retrieved when
needed This feature is also used when
the client application needs to download
and update to the latest version from the
central server. The client communicates
with the service running on the servervia
HTTP requests and responses between
two WCF services.
IMAP access
Other than using the client application, there are two ways to access the data
from the reMARK database: Setting up an IMAP server on the server side
application or using the reMARK app.

By setting up an IMAP server on the server side application, users are able
to search, receive, send, read and file emails from e.g. their mobiles. All of
the actions are synchronized with the reMARK database, such as e.g. emails
that are read on the phone also appear as read in reMARK for that user.
Communication with the IMAP server can be either unencrypted or secured
using SSL.

Application extensions & interfaces

Several application extensions have been developed for reMARK allowing it to communicate and transfer data to and from other
applications. Extensions have been developed for the following 3’rd party applications: Navision, Superoffice, Mlisa, Microsoft Dynamics
CRM, Orderstar, Shipnet, Laserfiche and Seaweb.

Additionally, reMARK supports import of emails, contacts, ships and more from several other applications, such as Lotus Notes, SDSD
MessageStore, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, IHS and MCSwin.
Contact
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