Remote users working with Quickbooks

[Lizz]

Hi,
I have a server installed running MS Small Business
Server 2003 with remote access activated. There is a
fractional T1 (256K)connected to the server which isn't
the most ideal, but the best we can do. I have 2 remote
users that want to work from their home or remote offices
on laptops with XP Home edition, both connected to a
cable modem. (There are no desktops)

The probelem I'm having is if they VPN into the server to
access the QuickBooks files, the data file is so big that
it freezes up the system.

If I have them VNC into the server they don't have local
printer capabilities.

I'm trying to determine if using Terminal Services/Remote
Desktop will solve our problem. I know that I will
likely have to updgrade both laptops to XP Pro to have
this service, but wanted some feedback on whether this
will create more headache or if there is a better
solution.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Hi,
I have a server installed running MS Small Business
Server 2003 with remote access activated. There is a
fractional T1 (256K)connected to the server which isn't
the most ideal, but the best we can do. I have 2 remote
users that want to work from their home or remote offices
on laptops with XP Home edition, both connected to a
cable modem. (There are no desktops)

The probelem I'm having is if they VPN into the server to
access the QuickBooks files, the data file is so big that
it freezes up the system.

If I have them VNC into the server they don't have local
printer capabilities.

I'm trying to determine if using Terminal Services/Remote
Desktop will solve our problem. I know that I will
likely have to updgrade both laptops to XP Pro to have
this service, but wanted some feedback on whether this
will create more headache or if there is a better
solution.

Indeed, terminal services or remote desktop are the way to go. VPN has its
limitations, and the risk of data corruption in Quickbooks over a VPN link
would scare me....

Note that the remote desktop *client* computer doesn't need to be running XP
Pro - if you want remote desktop hosting on XP, the *host* has to be running
Pro. You'll either need one (or two?) XP Pro computers in the office
(might's well get desktops) w/remote desktop enabled, or get a W2000/2003
server for terminal services.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the quick reply. As there will not be any
desktops in the "office" is it appropriate to run the
remote access directly to the server. (this is really a
server set up in business run from a home and all the
employees are remote).

I had read that remote desktop locks up the desktop until
the person returns to "work" and unlocks it. Is this
your experience?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Thanks for the quick reply. As there will not be any
desktops in the "office" is it appropriate to run the
remote access directly to the server.

You can't run terminal services (for users) on SBS2003. This is a Good
Thing. You do not want users logging into your domain controller, and you
don't want to install any workstation apps installed on it either. You'll
either need two WinXP Pro boxes for remote desktop to them, or a single
Win2000/2003 server & TS licenses/server to run terminal services.

(this is really a
server set up in business run from a home and all the
employees are remote).

I had read that remote desktop locks up the desktop until
the person returns to "work" and unlocks it. Is this
your experience?

Yes, if you're using WinXP Pro for the remote desktop hosting. This is why
if you have two users who always need access, you'd need two dedicated
workstations running RD.

 

[Guest]

Thanks again! It looks like I'll have to persue this a
different direction as there isn't the ability to set up
two XP pro boxes at this point. This has been a huge
frustration as one remote user only needs QB and to be
able to print at home (and 2 other people also access the
data so they need it on their server), seems like there
should be a simple solution, short of QB hosting data,
but I guess not. Thanks for all your feedback, it's
saved me a few braincells tonight )

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Thanks again! It looks like I'll have to persue this a
different direction as there isn't the ability to set up
two XP pro boxes at this point. This has been a huge
frustration as one remote user only needs QB and to be
able to print at home (and 2 other people also access the
data so they need it on their server), seems like there
should be a simple solution, short of QB hosting data,
but I guess not. Thanks for all your feedback, it's
saved me a few braincells tonight )

Glad to help, if I haven't merely opened up a whole new can of worms for
you. You need *something* in the office to host your remote desktop/ts, no
matter how you slice it. VPN is not really the best option for file sharing,
especially with large-ish/database files. You don't need
super-ultra-fantastic server class hardware to run terminal server for a
couple of users, note -

I'd guess your QB data is worth protecting properly.

 

[Lizz]

It's been one big can of worms after another. I have a
couple of ideas that might fly, just need to work with
what we have for now! Thanks again, have a great night
and yeah, it's worth protecting the data!

 

[Guest]

Hi Lizz

Did you know that there is now Quickbooks Enterprise which is designed to run on Terminal Server with 10 Licences built in. I am about to implement in my company on Server 2003 with 10 users in 3 offices all accessing via Terminal Server. We are upgrading from a 4 user MYOB Premier installation. I think you would be best off installing a stand alone finance server running Server 2003 with 10 user CAL's for TS, then have all of your users setup with basic Terminal Server profiles for security, then you can all access Quickbooks wherever you are and have remote printing, etc.. from home easily thru XP desktop

Regards
Nathan