Remote desktop software

[Mark Andrews]

Access 2007 multiple people sharing split database

Just looking for some advice and/or rough costs for some remote desktop
control options to run a typical
Access 2007 split database (using Access 2007 runtime) I don't deal with
remote control too often.

Example:
- terminal services (how much does that cost rough idea for small
installation)
- web based remote control, can some of these be used to run an Access
database while on the road by just controlling a
computer in the office with the application. Which ones are better, prices
etc....
- free ones (how tough to setup)

Maybe give me your top 3 choices for someone who has nothing in place but
needs to run a Microsoft Access application while on the road three states
away.

Appreciate any advice I could get.

Mark

 

[Daniel Pineault]

Read: http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/Wan/Wans.html

You have a few options, amongst others: Terminal Services and CITRIX. No
matter how you spin it you are looking at a substantial cost! Typically
based on a per user license.

Before your delve too far into the matter, you need to speak with your IT
dept to determine what they can, and are willing, to support. No point
researching software they will not permit you to use. Also, in some cases,
they may already have the software in place for other purposes so you might
get lucky!
--
Hope this helps,

Daniel Pineault
http://www.cardaconsultants.com/
For Access Tips and Examples: http://www.devhut.net
Please rate this post using the vote buttons if it was helpful.

 

[Mark Andrews]

I guess I'm wondering how those web based remote control options would work?
GotoMyPC, pcAnywhere etc...
or if something like
Tightvnc works over the web?


So the user would just take control of a pc at the office that had the
front-end db on it.

This is for my clients (varying levels of IT support, usually none).

Mark

 

[Mark Andrews]

I tried out logmein.com the free version and it seems to work well.

Can anyone shoot down this approach:
1. install split access db on LAN at workplace
2. signup for logmein.com and setup office computer as canidate for remote
controlling
3. use whatever web broswer out on the road and goto logmein.com and install
plugin and then remotely control office computer
and run access application (as if you were sitting at your desk).

If the local IT dept makes it so logmein.com is not allowed then it's up to
them to use an appropriate solution such as Citrix.

Mark

 

[Steve]

Mark,

Take a look at Real VNC to see if that would work for you.
www.RealVNC.com


Steve
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Tom]

The LogMeIn solution is essentially what I use to provide tech support
to one of my clients. Works well. Sometimes there is a bit of a lag
on screen refresh when entering data, but nothing too troubling.
Downside is that you can only have one remote user logged in per
machine, but that may not be an issue for you.

 

[Mark Andrews]

Yea I was looking at TightVNC, just didn't seem as easy for a non techy to
setup so it works over the internet.
I need to recommend a solution to some clients.

I'm guessing RealVNC is the official product? I used to use VNC years ago.

Still not sure which one works best, but the logmein.com was recommended by
some computer repair guys I know so
for now I think I'll just choose that one.

Thanks for the input,
Mark

 

[a a r o n . k e m p f]

instead of using Remote Desktop software, you should just move to
Access Data Projects

ADP works great over WAN, LAN, Wireless

spending $10,000 for a terminal services licensing server is not a
good value

 

[a a r o n . k e m p f]

well what if you want to copy and paste from Access to a spreadsheet
on your desktop?

Sounds to me like your jet database is the problem

move to SQL Server and run it over the interweb.. secure SQL Server
with a strong password and it's 'good enough' security for anything

 

[Tom]

well what if you want to copy and paste from Access to a spreadsheet on your desktop?

why on earth would I want to do that? Or are you now suggesting that
Excel is superior to Access?

move to SQL Server and run it over the interweb

Sure - show me somebody that hosts for free. Oh and that still
doesn't obviate the need for using LogMeIn... I'd still need to
provide remote IT support to the client.

Tom

 

[Mark Andrews]

Hmm,
Many months to make this database so probably many many months to convert it
to a web-based application using SQL Server.
I would end up with a different product that might be better in some ways
and worse in others.
I would use .net if I was going that route. I would use SQL Server (not
just to make you happy).

I think I'll just recommend the user signs up at logmein.com and spends 15
minutes setting it up so they can run my existing product
over the web. No $10,000 spend.

Mark
message

 

[Mark Andrews]

Tom,

What would you recommend if I needed more than 1 user logged in per machine?

I can see scenarios will my clients will need that.

Thanks in advance,
Mark

 

[Tom]

Sorry - outside my realm of expertise. I use LogMeIn as an
administrative function, so a single user (me) isn't a problem.

 

[David W. Fenton]

What would you recommend if I needed more than 1 user logged in
per machine?

Arvin Meyer has recommended WinConnect. I've not used it because I
haven't needed to, but his recommendation would be quite sufficient
to cause me to try it as the first choice were I to need it.

 

[David W. Fenton]

Still not sure which one works best, but the logmein.com was
recommended by some computer repair guys I know so
for now I think I'll just choose that one.

None of the VNCs will be as good as LogMeIn, because VNC pushes
pixel maps, while LogMeIn (and GoToMyPC, etc.) use the Windows
graphics primitives directly, instead of shipping bitmaps (this is
also what the Remote Desktop Client does). This makes them orders of
magnitude more responsive.

These days, I only use VNC on local networks, never across the
Internet.

 

[Mark Andrews]

Thanks for the insight!
Mark

None of the VNCs will be as good as LogMeIn, because VNC pushes
pixel maps, while LogMeIn (and GoToMyPC, etc.) use the Windows
graphics primitives directly, instead of shipping bitmaps (this is
also what the Remote Desktop Client does). This makes them orders of
magnitude more responsive.

These days, I only use VNC on local networks, never across the
Internet.

 

[Mark Andrews]

Looks like that one is about $100/user and supports multiple operating
systems which sounds pretty good!
I'll check it out.

Thanks for the advice,
Mark

 

[Mark Andrews]

FYI: winconnect works pretty good (based on a few tests). However, I didn't
get much help from their support staff.

Looks like that one is about $100/user and supports multiple operating
systems which sounds pretty good!
I'll check it out.

Thanks for the advice,
Mark

 

[Tony Toews [MVP]]

Many months to make this database so probably many many months to convert it
to a web-based application using SQL Server.

Probably only a few weeks to convert the app to using SQL Server via
linked tables. Then a few more weeks once the app is running to
debottleneck the things that still take 10 or 30 seconds.

Don't go to ADPs as that is deprecated technology.

See my Random Thoughts on SQL Server Upsizing from Microsoft Access
Tips page at http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/sqlserverupsizing.htm

There is a tool from the SQL Server group.
SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access (SSMA Access)
http://www.microsoft.com/Sqlserver/2005/en/us/migration-access.aspx

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Tony's Main MS Access pages - http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
Tony's Microsoft Access Blog - http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/
For a convenient utility to keep your users FEs and other files
updated see http://www.autofeupdater.com/
Granite Fleet Manager http://www.granitefleet.com/

 

[a a r o n . k e m p f]

SQL Server is free kid. It has been for the past decade.
SQL utilizes hardware advances like X64, WAN, Wireless, RAM and multi-
core.

Jet doesn't do shit except allow old retards to keep busy, running
compact and repair by hand