| SUMMARY: Below is a list
of questions that are good to answer before choosing
an internet-based remote access method to your Clients & Profits
database. The answer to these questions will determine
the means of accessing your C&P database over the
internet. These factors will influence one another
in your decision making process. In some situations,
using more than one method for remote access could
be beneficial. |
When evaluating remote access configurations, ask yourself
these questions:
-- Is remote access to my C&P database a necessity, or more something
I would like to setup if the cost is reasonable?
-- Am I familiar with the five primary methods to access our C&P
database remotely over the internet?
-- Will I need to upgrade C&P, or buy additional users, depending
on the method I choose to access our C&P database remotely?
-- How much will the new software/hardware to support remote access
cost? What am I willing to spend?
-- Am I familiar with the different means to connect to the internet?
-- How fast are the internet connection speeds at my office and at
my remote locations?
-- Do I have a full-time internet connection at the office (a necessity)?
-- What is the cost of the internet access at the office and at the
remote locations (if I reimburse my remote users)?
-- Will upgrading my internet connection speeds at the office and/or
at the remote locations increase the quality of my remote access users’ experience?
-- If so, is the performance increase worth the cost increase?
-- How many remote users will access C&P simultaneously?
-- Where will my remote users be located when they try to access C&P?
With this in mind, what software/hardware/internet access will available
to them?
-- What functions will the remote users perform in C&P?
-- Will they need full access to all features of C&P or only to
certain features, such as time cards?
-- Who will setup and administer the remote access system?
-- If I outsource, what is their cost?
-- What new database security issues will arise once I grant remote
access?
-- How will I address them?
-- Who will train the remote users or help them when they have a remote
access problem?
-- How important is the speed of results when updating records or printing
reports from C&P remotely?
-- Do I need to print remotely to hard copy, or is a screen report
sufficient?
-- If I need to print remotely to hard copy, how is this done and what
are the costs involved?
-- Can I avoid long distance dial-up phone charges by my remote users?
-- Have I contacted other C&P users who have utilized the method
I want to use to ensure that it will be successful once implemented
and that I know of any problems or limitations ahead of time?
