This section describes the technical requirements for launching the GlobalTaxCenter (GTC) software, including all of its modules. Full instructions on how to install it are provided in the installation instructions.

System architecture

The GTC is a web-based application. It serves the group tax department as a tax portal and offers the possibility to automate process steps by connecting to other systems, thus reducing manual activities.

The system architecture is based on a three-tier architecture:

Client (Web browser)
Business logic (Web Application Server)
Data (Database Server)

If a fail safe operation is required, the business logic layer (business layer) can be operated in a load balancer, the availability of individual server applications [Health Check] can be monitored and if necessary a database cluster can be used. The implementation of a Single-Sign-On mechanism (SSO) is also possible on the application server. More detailed configuration information is not included in this document and can be provided separately.

Connection to the other systems is provided via the client or must be triggered by the client.

A data import, e.g. import of IFRS values from the accounting or consolidation system, can be carried out either via the client by uploading an XLSX/CSV file or via the server, i.e. through a direct connection between the server and the accounting or consolidation system.

The electronic tax return is sent to the tax authority via a separate transfer client, which can be installed in a demilitarised zone of the computer centre (access to the Internet is required).

System requirements for components

AMANA does not provide support for older software versions that are no longer maintained by the manufacturer. This may concern the operating system, web browser, DBMS and WAS, among other things.

Examples for not supported software versions are Windows XP, Internet Explorer 8 and, since January 2016, Internet Explorer 10.

Database

Microsoft SQL server 2012 (R2)/ 2014 / 2016 / 2017 and Oracle 12c. AMANA recommends using Microsoft SQL servers. This is particularly useful if you also use, or are planning to use, other AMANA products, e.g. SmartTaxBalance.
Current multiple-core server processor/system (at least 2 GHz clock speed), for processor-intensive reports at least 2 cores, preferably 4 cores (also for VMs)
At least 4 GB RAM, preferably 8 GB RAM for the database server
The database must be UTF-8 coded
Authorization to "CREATE", "INSERT“, "UPDATE“, "DELETE“ and "ALTER“ on the database, for Oracle: CONNECT + RESSOURCE authorization
The required database memory depends to a large degree on company size and user behaviour. In the latter case, it is particularly relevant how often file attachments or documents (Excel, csv, ...) are stored (sometimes these files are stored in an external folder). As a rough guide, we recommend approx. 500 MB memory per 10 companies and period.
A regular backup of the database schemas is strongly recommended.

Web application server

We recommend that the database server and web application server are installed on different hardware / servers. Virtual servers are supported (e.g. via VMWare, VirtualBox, etc.).

JDK 8 (Advice on supported JDKs)
JDBC driver for the database used
Apache Tomcat 8.5 (most recent version)

Please also note the additional information on Tomcat versions.

Current multiple-core server processor/system (at least 2 GHz clock speed), for processor-intensive reports at least 2 cores, preferably 4 cores (also for VMs)
At least 4 GB RAM, preferably 8 GB RAM
0,5 GB hard disk capacity for the GTC application, 1 GB for the application server and the Java installation
5 GB for the additional folder for storing temporary files (If file attachments are not stored in the database but in an external folder, the required memory space increases by approx. 500 MB per 10 companies and period)

Web browser

Current Google Chrome or current Mozilla Firefox
Alternatively Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 / Edge (This recommendation is not without reservations, as performance is likely to be impaired.)
JavaScript for the GTC must be allowed in the browser

Performance

If the execution of individual functions with a particular browser is very slow or impossible, please try it with a different browser. Due to the large number of browsers currently on the market, it is impossible for AMANA to take the specific characteristics of each one into consideration. However, please feel free to contact the AMANA Hotline with any issues you encounter. We will do our best to work out a fix.

Transfer to tax authority (Tax Return module)

For submission of the electronic tax return, the Transfer Client (TC) is required.

The TC can be deployed on a separate system, or it can be installed directly on the web application server (only with Windows).

The electronic tax return is automatically transmitted from the GTC to the TC and then to the tax authority after a first-time configuration in the GTC user interface.

The Transfer Client web service is opened via an encrypted connection and a proxy from the company network into the DMZ. This course of action can be customized to comply with the company’s own security standards, although it may entail additional effort.

We recommend approval of www.esteuer.de [Port 80] and the ELSTER data acceptance server.

The system requirements for the Transfer Client are listed in detail here.

The Elster Rich Client [ERiC] is a closed C library, provided by the tax authority. AMANA has no part in or control over its development or range of functions. The tax authority raises the minimum requirements once a year in April. For this reason, it is absolutely imperative that your a GlobalTaxCenter and Transfer Client are updated before April every year if you intend to submit an electronic tax return in or after April.

The ERiC API allows the use of a proxy when accompanied by appropriate parameters [host, port, user name, password, authentication method]. However, the ERiC API does not support the use of a proxy auto-config file.