Browser and Device Policy

Despite the global spread of COVID-19, our class leading support function continues to be available 7:00am – 7:00pm Monday to Friday, and 7:00am – 3.30pm on Saturday*. We’re here to help, so please do not hesitate to contact us.

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

	Support Given
Level 1 - Supported	All contents must be readable, usable and all functionality must work Variations to presentation of content between Level 1 browsers must be minimised All core content (and new features) are regularly tested in Level 1 browsers Any visual and functional defects will be fully investigated and (where possible) automated testing implemented to prevent the issue in the future
Level 2 - Depreciated	All core content must be readable, usable and navigation must work Degradation of client-side functionality is expected but where possible will be graceful degradation Testing of Level 2 browsers is ad-hoc and as required and will not be included in automated testing Visual and functional defects will be investigated and where they are affecting core content, the ability to read, use or navigate they will be resolved where possible
Level 3 - Unsupported	No support, [manual] testing or automated testing will be carried out. Any web browsers not specifically listed in the support table should also be regarded as Level 3; that is, unsupported

8. Current Browser Support - Desktop

	Frontend	Backend	Comments
Chrome (latest stable)	Level 1	Level 1	Latest stable channel: http://googlechromereleases.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Stable%20updates
Chrome (previous releases)	Level 3	Level 3
Firefox (latest stable)	Level 1	Level 1	Latest stable release: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/channel/#firefox
Firefox (previous releases)	Level 3	Level 3
Internet Explorer 10 or older	Level 3	Level 3
Internet Explorer 11	Level 2	Level 2	In order for Internet Explorer 11 to work correctly, users may need to enable TLS Version 1.2 using the following instructions: https://help.passageways.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005183226-How-to-enable-TLS-1-2-in-Internet-Explorer-11-and-MS-Edge
Edge (previous releases)	Level 3	Level 3
Edge (latest stable version)	Level 1	Level 1	Latest stable version: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/platform/changelog/ In order for Edge to work correctly, users may need to enable TLS Version 1.2 using the following instructions: https://help.passageways.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005183226-How-to-enable-TLS-1-2-in-Internet-Explorer-11-and-MS-Edge
Safari (latest stable)	Level 1	Level 1	Latest stable version: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204416
Safari (previous releases)	Level 3	Level 3

9. Current Browser Support - by Device Operating System

	Browser	Frontend	Backend
iOS (latest stable OS as used on the latest device)	Safari (Latest stable version)	Level 1	Level 3
	Google Chrome (Latest stable version)	Level 2	Level 3
Android (latest stable OS as used on the latest device)	Google Chrome (Latest stable version)	Level 1	Level 3
	Samsung browser (Latest stable version)	Level 2	Level 3
	Android browser (Latest stable version)	Level 2	Level 3
Windows Mobile	All	Level 3	Level 3
BlackBerry	All	Level 3	Level 3

10. Minimum Screen Resolutions

	Frontend	Backend
Screen Resolution Width: < 319px	Level 3	Level 3
Screen Resolution Width: 320px > 1023px	Level 1	Level 3
Screen Resolution Width:1024px >	Level 1	Level 1