With the release of macOS 10.15 Catalina, Apple has removed support of 32-bit applications on their newest operating system. As Genie is currently a 32-bit application, you will be unable to run the Genie software on the latest macOS. We are currently working on producing a 64-bit version of Genie. In the interim, our team have worked extensively to find a solution that will suit your practice. Parallels is a virtualisation software that allows you to run macOS Mojave or earlier on your macOS Catalina machine.
We have performed substantial testing to ensure that this solution is viable and will not negatively impact your business while we work toward providing a 64-bit application. The discoveries of our testing have been outlined below. Any issues or inconsistencies are noted under each sub-header for your consideration.
The following environment and conditions were configured for our testing of Parallels.
Genie Test Environment
- Genie Versions 9.2.2, 9.3.1 and 9.3.3;
- Parallels 14.1.3 and 15 (Home Edition) running macOS Mojave.
Note: If Genie Server is installed in Parallels in addition to your Genie Clients, additional network configuration/adjustments need to be considered, particularly for file sharing.
Conditions for Sharing/Access
- macOS machine running Parallels and the machine running Genie Server must be on the same Network to see each other;
- Sharing settings within the Parallels environment set to full Read/Write;
- Fixed IP address in the Parallels environment;
- Bridging networking between Parallels and the local machine (In the Parallels VM application, navigate to Devices > Network > Bridged Network [Default Adaptor] > Default Adaptor)
Minor Issues/Observations
- In our preliminary testing on the beta version of macOS Catalina, direct scanning into Genie did not appear possible. We have since tested on Parallels v15 Home Edition (Catalina 10.15.1 running Mojave 10.14.6 in Parallels) and direct scanning is now possible. Batch scanning works successfully;
- Changing Parallels full-screen mode while Genie is open does not resize Genie well.
- For further known Parallels issues, please refer to the Parallels Knowledgebase.
To stay updated on our 64-bit development timeline and join in the discussion, please see our General Notifications and Community discussions.
IT Advisers video for using Parallels
Below is a recording of the webinar we held for our IT Advisers, with a summary of our experiences in trialling Parallels with Genie. For a breakdown of our findings in different test environments, please see the subsections beneath this video.
Server v9.3.1 Functionality in Parallels v15
The below table outlines the functionality of the Genie Server application. This testing was undertaken for Genie v9.3.X running macOS Mojave in Parallels v15 (Home Edition).
| Test | Result | Additional notes |
| Run Server within Parallels environment and connect external Clients | ✔ | |
| Import Pathology and Letters on the Server | ✔ | |
| Start/Stop HTTP Server | ✔ | |
| Drop and/or message connected clients | ✔ | |
| Modify backup destination | ✔ | Backups are able to be stored in a Shared Location |
| Modify number of backups retained | ✔ | |
| Include additional files in backup | ✔ | |
| Restore a backup | ✔ | Backups are able to be restored from a Shared Location |
| Verify from the Administration window | ✔ | |
| Perform an Advanced Compact | ✔ | |
| Recover by tags/headers | ✔ | |
| Datafile settings - Publish at startup | ✔ | |
| Launch Web server at startup | ✔ | |
| SMS - send and receive automatic, bulk and single SMS | ✔ | |
| Enable Debug Logging | ✔ |
Client-Server v9.3.1 Functionality in Parallels v15
This section focuses on the functions that communicate between the Genie Client and Server. Testing was undertaken in the following three environments:
- Genie Client v9.3.X (Windows) connecting to Genie Server (Parallels v15 Home Edition)
- Genie Client v9.3.X (Mac) connecting to Genie Server (Parallels v15 Home Edition)
- Genie Client v9.3.X (Parallels v15 Home Edition) connecting to Genie Server (Parallels v15 Home Edition)
The below table will focus on the Parallels to Parallels capabilities. Any incompatibility within the Windows/Mac to Parallels environments will be noted in the Additional notes section.
| Test | Result | Additional notes |
| Configure and spot-test Email Module | ✔ | |
| Software Updates - PDF, WorkCover and Letters only | ✔ | |
| Offsite Logging - take and import logs | ✔ | |
| Copy Data Script | ✔ | Unable to browse to macOS Parallels from a Windows Client. Browsing possible on external Mac Client if they are on the same Network and the Sharing settings within Parallels are full Read/Write. |
| HIC Online - Verify/Bulk Billing | ✔ | Some slowness when creating/transmitting BB/DVA Claims. |
| ECLIPSE - Transmit claim, all states/actions | ✔ | Some slowness when creating/transmitting IMC Invoices. |
| File-browser reliant features (i.e. Import Transcribed Letters, Process Folder, Patient Handouts and Attach files from disk) | ✔ | Unable to browse to macOS Parallels from a Windows Client. Browsing possible on eternal Mac Client if they are on the same Network and the Sharing settings within Parallels are full Read/Write. |
| My Health Record spot-check | ✔ | |
| SMS - send and receive automatic, bulk and single SMS | ✔ | |
| Enable Debug Logging | ✔ | Able to start Debug Logging on the Parallels Server from an external client |
| Set Client-Server Timeouts | ✔ | |
| Access and modify Server Admin Window | ✔ | |
| Archive Patient Correspondence | ✔ |
Client v9.2.2 Functionality and Features
The below table shows testing that we undertook for specific features and functionality within Genie Client.
| Test | Result | Additional notes |
| Using keyboard shortcuts | ✔ | |
| Printing in Genie | ✔ | |
| Scanning directly into Genie | ✔ | Note: USB scanning works successfully in our testing on macOS Catalina 10.15.1 |
| Batch scanning | ✔ | Works without issue compared to direct scanning. |
| Quick Report Export | ✔ | |
| Quick Report Save & Load functions | ✔ | |
| File > Export | ✔ | |
| File > Import | ✔ | |
| Importing files/LabRslts/Hlink | ✔ | |
| Downloading HIC Online | ✔ | Download successful for both "Apply Now" and "Just Download It". |
| File sharing between Parallels and main machine | ✔ | |
| Installing/Updating Genie | ✔ |
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