Architecture

The server software has a two-tier, distributed architecture. It distributes software operations between the client and the server computers. Memory-intensive operations, such as accessing a large database or analyzing a large data file, are done on the server computer without downloading the data to the client computer.

Client tier

The client application. It is installed and runs on the end user’s desktop computer. The client application provides the graphical user interface to data access and analysis. It presents the results of the end user’s analyses.

Server tier

The server software. It is installed and runs on a networked server computer. The server software provides the framework necessary to handle multiple clients, the algorithms used in statistical analysis, and data access.

For analyses that don’t require intensive data access or numeric processing, the client software can be used as a standard standalone desktop application. When in local analysis mode, all data access and statistical processing are handled on the end user’s desktop computer.