Browser and Device Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to detail the internet browsers and their versions which G-Forces Web Management Ltd (GForces) support in the development and ongoing maintenance of the NetDirector^®suite of software.

2. Scope

The scope of the policy includes all NetDirector^®software development and maintained by GForces.

3. Objectives

The objective of this policy is to ensure that GForces support of internet browsers, devices and screen widths are documented and communicated to users.

4. General Guidance

Statistics for browser support are based on information collected from the following two data sources

• Backend - all NetDirector^® Console traffic filtered to non-gforces IP addresses
• Frontend - all NetDirector^® Auto V8 and NetDirector^®Auto V10 traffic filtered to non-gforces and non-client IP addresses

The policy for frontend and backend functionality is calculated and enforced independently from each other.

The list of supported browsers is reviewed each calendar month. You should check this document regularly for any changes in browser and device support. Web browsers are assigned a 'Level of Support' for frontend and backend according to user base coverage. The levels are defined below in section 7 of this policy.

Older browsers which we may need to support (notably Internet Explorer) should employ graceful degradation to ensure the user is still able to carry out the functional requirements or acceptance criteria.

Where a supported browser has a rapid release cycle only the latest stable version of that browser will be supported. This is due to the nature of rapid-release, meaning browser support could change on a weekly basis and maintaining accurate support records for all possible versions would be impractical. When a new version of a browser is released, GForces will update the NetDirector^® platform to be compatible with the latest stable version of the browser as soon as reasonably possible. From time to time, an update to web browser software by the relevant providers can reduce functionality of live sites.

Levels of support are also allocated to mobile operating systems and screen resolutions.  The current support structure for these is at section 9 and 10 of this document.

5. Adoption of New Browsers

When a browser reaches 2% user base coverage, or is predicted to rapidly reach 3%, we should endeavour to research and support its features where possible.

When a browser reaches 3% user base coverage, support is mandated.

6. Termination of Old Browsers

When a browser falls below 3% user base coverage, it will no longer be supported at Level 1. (i.e. it will be downgraded to Level 2 or 3 at our discretion).

7. Levels of Support

8. Current Browser Support - Desktop

9. Current Browser Support - by Device Operating System

10. Minimum Screen Resolutions

_{Updated: 16th November 2020}