Procare v10 - Methods to Remotely Access Data
Hosted by Procare
VPN (software variety)
- Install VPN client software that’s already built into Windows XP & Vista
- Install Procare client software
- Costs – Initial Procare investment plus a modest monthly fee
- Tech Needed? – No (see also: bandwidth recommendations below)
Hosted by You
(See SQL Server and VPN Setup cost below)
VPN (of the software or hardware variety)
- Requires a server (like Windows 2003 or 2008) that allows Routing & Remote Access
- Install Procare licensing server and database server on your server
- Install VPN client software on client computers (standard XP/Vista client or 3rd party)
- Install Procare client software on client computers
- Costs – Server & IT Hours, plus internet VPN appliances if a hardware VPN is used
- Tech Needed? – Yes (see also: bandwidth recommendations below)
Terminal Services
- Requires a server and Terminal Services software, licenses
- Install Procare licensing server, database server AND client software all on your server
- Install Terminal Services client software on client computers
- Costs – Server, TS licenses & IT Hours
- Tech Needed? - Yes
- Compatible with Time Clock Touch? - No
- Compatible with a Check-In Computer? - Not for multiple locations. Okay when all check-in terminals are pointed to a single location in the database.
Remote In
Use Remote Desktop (built into Windows) to take control of a remote computer (the host)
- Procare is installed on the remote (host) computer
- Costs – Initial IT setup. No one else can use the host computer at the same time.
- Tech Needed? – Yes, unless you are comfortable setting up your own connection.
Use a Third-Party Remote Service (like GoToMyPC)
- Procare is installed on the remote (host) computer
- Use a Web Browser to take control of a remote computer (the host)
- Costs – On going monthly fee. No one else can use the host computer at the same time.
- Tech Needed? – No
Backup / Restore
Procare is installed at your main location (center) where all data entry is done.
A “secondary” instance of Procare is installed on another (home) computer for viewing purposes only.
- Back up made at center computer (Procare may offer online backup hosting)
- Backup restored to home computer (or downloaded from an online backup)
- Costs – Minimal (Modest monthly fee for backup storage).
- Tech Needed? - No
Notes
- Procare client talks to the Licensing server which talks to the Database server. No file shares are involved.
- Firewall must allow all traffic to Licensing server (2 ports: 1 required for access, 1 as a broadcast / listener).
- Connect to a host name (like ‘devserver’ or hostname.procaresoftware.local) or an IP address.
Bandwidth recommended for client computer (VPN Hosting)
- Minimum acceptable speed: 512kbs/256kbs download/upload
- Recommended speed: 1.5mbs/256kbs download/upload or better
- If Wi-Fi is used, Procare recommends: IEEE 802.11/n. (802.11/a/b/g are very prone to dropped data packets which greatly reduces performance.)
SQL Server & VPN setup cost (Hosted By You)
SQL Express implemented with a VPN (pricing below) may be used in lieu of the SQL server & software pricing listed below.
SQL Express is included with Procare Software at no additional charge.
This solution will work well for organizations smaller than approximately 20 locations, depending upon the size of each location.
| Software / OS Cost |
Unit Cost |
Qty |
Total |
Recurring SA Cost |
| Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard |
$694 |
1 |
$694 |
|
| Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SA |
$353 |
1 |
$353 |
$353 |
| Microsoft Windows Server 2008 1 user Cal |
$40 |
10 |
$400 |
|
| Microsoft Windows Server 2008 1 user Cal SA |
$37 |
10 |
$370 |
$370 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard |
$864 |
1 |
$864 |
|
| Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard SA |
$436 |
1 |
$436 |
$436 |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard 1 user Cal |
$160 |
10 |
$1,600 |
|
| Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard SA |
$83 |
10 |
$830 |
$830 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Hardware |
|
|
|
|
Base HP Proliant ML110 Tower, 2.4Ghz Core2Duo
1 Gig Ram, 2x160G Sata hard Drives, $25.00 Shipping |
$750 |
1 |
$750 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| VPN Cost - ISP charges vary with bandwidth |
|
|
|
|
| Basic VPN: Lower Security/Firewall cost |
|
|
|
|
| Hosting Location |
$120 |
1 |
$120 |
|
| Remote Location |
$120 |
5 |
$600 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Total Server Cost (Hardware & Software): |
|
|
$6,297 |
|
| Recurring SA cost every 3 years: |
|
|
$1,989 |
|
| Total VPN Hardware |
|
|
$720 |
|
| 4 hours Server IT labor @ $100/hr |
|
|
$400 |
|
| 2 hours VPN IT labor @ $100/hr |
|
|
$200 |
|
| Total: |
|
|
$9,006 |
|
Notes
- Cal: Client Access License of which there are 2 types - either per User of per Device (computer)
- SA: Software Assurance
- Prices obtained from CDW 5/09 and HP 3/09
SQL Server Express, a free product based on SQL Server 2005 technology, may be used instead of SQL Server. It uses the same reliable and high-performance database engine as the other versions of SQL Server 2005. It also uses the same data access APIs such as ADO.NET, SQL Native Client, and T-SQL. In fact, it is differentiated from the rest of the SQL Server 2005 editions only by the following: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms345154.aspx
- Lack of enterprise features support
- Limited management tools
- Limited to one CPU
- One GB memory limit for the buffer pool
- Databases have a 4 GB maximum size