Data Sychronization Options For a Small Business.
Community Forums/General Help/Data Sychronization Options For a Small Business.
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| Hey, folks! I just picked up a new client in my computer tech business, who basically wants me to give him a way to organize sales data for his business. He has maybe ten employees maximum, and wants not only to be able to keep track of sales and such (he sales and manufactures signs), but also be able to synchronize it all, across every employees computer. So when someone let's saymakes a change to an order that was placed, for instance adding 20 signs to the number that was ordered, that order change has to reflect on every other computer in the office. They all have to show the same stuff, and a change\update must take place on all of them when it's made on one. What would I use to synchronize this? I checked into Microsoft Access, but I need the Mod version or something to be able to use it's replication manager, so that's out. At this point I'm either down to cloud type sales management sites, like www.salesforce.com which my client would prefer to avoid due to the monthly costs, or building a custom database to store on their server, using something like MySQL. Any suggestions for an easier route? Thanks, Jose Ruiz |
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| Use mysql. You don't need to synchronise anything as all users are getting their data from the same place. |
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| Ok, I thought mysql might be the way to go. Do I need something like Wamp to get started with it, or is mysql a stand alone bit of software? I always thought it went with stuff to help manage it. Or even better, is there some kind of mysql template I could download to help me get a solid foundation? Thanks, Jose Ruiz |
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| If you have a 'computer tech business' offering these services, you should know this stuff already. |
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| Well I don't have a clue :D I know some stuff, and what I know I know well, if a client asks for something I don't know I either A: Tell em I can't do it and suggest someone else, or B: Tell em I'll look into it if I think it's something I can manage. Which I think this is. But I guess I'll just find out. And I spoke with my client earlier and he said that Microsoft Office 365 is reasonably priced and might be something he's interested in, so would that be a simpler option? Thanks, and as always, any critiscism of my methods is not only welcome, but will be thoroughly thought over. Not the above though, for that's just how I roll, lol! |
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| If it's in your budget to hire a technician or consultant... do it. You handle the clientele, he handles the muscle work. It's the ultimate path to expand your business. |
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| Good suggestion, Kryzon, and certainly something I've considered. But I'd really prefer to do it myself. |
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| Well it seems a easy job: put on a computer on the lan of your client a WAMP (or Lamp) system. An old computer (running Linux) can work as server; every other computer stations will connect via web (managed by Apache) to a (relative) simple databse (managed by MySql). Some days of work and it should be done without any other license costs, |
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| Right now I'm looking at www.tenrox.com project manager. Seems like it might be the best way to go, although if this doesn't work, then I'll have to go with the MySql :D But we'll see, lol. Keep the suggestions and advice coming folks. |
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| Hey man, I'm just thinking to myself. Do you have liablity insurance for your business? If something were to go wrong, and some kind of database error occurs, due to you just learning this stuff as you go along, you could be liable for the damages. You end up being bankrupt, and maybe even face a prison sentence. Oh, and I wouldn't want someone to provide me with a service that was just picking it up as they went along. You could potentially harm this guys business as well. I know you said you would knock back jobs you didn't have any knowledge about though. Sorry to be super negative, I just don't want anything nasty to come your way. I would def think about Kryzons suggestion. At the very least, your be picking it up from a professional, and the work will be done be one too. |
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