Another stupid question

[Barb Pelton]

Ok, here it is. I am condensing my store #2 into the frame shop and closing down that space. (sniff). So, I've had to move my office (Ok, I've never really used it as an office; it's been more of a glorified file cabinet storage room) into a smaller room, but I've been able to put the computer from my soon-to-be-closed second store in my new office. Before, I've used my pos computer (server; they are networked) to do my Quickbooks, etc on. It's off to the side up front and so I'm always up front where the customers are. However, I am constantly interrupted. Now I want to do my QB and payroll tasks in my new improved office instead of coming in early and sitting at the counter to get the work done, or at night over the internet.

What is the easiest way to transfer certain info from the server pos to my office computer? I'd like to limit access to QB and Outlook Express for instance. I could network it all together, which I will probably do anyway, but I'm thinking that the computer up front will now be used strictly as a pos and since employees will be using it, I probably shouldn't have access up front to certain programs.


(I'm almost done re-organizing this new office--wow it's nice to have a "Real" office.)

[Danimal]

Barb,
The easiest way to transfer your QB info is to do a back-up to a jump drive or other mobile media. After you install QB, with all the updates, on the new computer just restore from the back up you made.


Daniel

[David N Waldmann]

I don't exactly understand the server/network you currently have. It sounds like you had one computer in each location and will now have two in one location. It also sounds like you want to do different tasks on the two computers, so there would be no reason to network them as far as data sharing goes. Networking will brovide other benefits though, such as printer sharing, internet access and local backups. You can limit access to the office computer by user, so you can keep the sensitive stuff from the employees.

As for transferring the data, as Danimal said use a jump drive unless they'll be networked together. Your OE files can also be transferred similarly (finding the data may be a little tricker though). You could use the Windows XP "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" also. It makes a compressed file with all your user files and settings (like your desktop, some program options, etc) that can then be movced either by jump drive or network to the new computer.

[Barb Pelton]

Thanks guys.

Actually, there were originally 3 computers (the 2 pos were networked) in the frame store, and one stand alone in the gift store.

Now, the 3 up front are networked (went ahead and did that yesterday after posting). I decided to network them because I'd like to run some Specialty Soft reports in my office; also sometimes we have more than 2 customers, so we can resort to the office computer if we have someone picking up an order, or wanting to make a gift purchase, and the other 2 are in the middle of designing framing.

So that's done now. After thinking about it, I decided that it would probably be better if everything was networked anyway.

I think it would be better if I set up the office computer as the server, and have the 2 pos computers networked off of it. Everything is hard wired right now and maybe it is time to go wireless? I'm was/am looking for the fastest solution since I only have 3 weeks to vacate this space next door. (Sigh) I may just leave it as is for now and deal with changes next month.

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm sure to entertain you with more Stupid Computer Questions later!

[Danimal]

Barb,
Unless you just have some money you need to spend I don't see any reason to change your hardwired network setup. You open up a can of worms by going wireless. Hardwired is more secure than wireless and I can't imagine even a meager 10M network bandwidth would be limiting you with your current applications. Save your money or buy yourself something nice like a new large screen LCD monitor.

[Mike Labbe @ GTP]

Hi Barb

I also agree. Hardwired is always best. Wireless is ok for internet, IF secured, but not reliable or quick enough for a database.

If you are doing your daily backup/closing from the front counter, it may make sense to leave the server out there where it is now. If you will be doing this with an extra license of SpecialtySoft in the office, then this is where it should go.

As far as security, the PC locked in the office can have the accounting package. As long as that folder isn't shared, the front PCs will not be able to get into the files. I recommend only sharing what is needed by all three machines (your POS folders and printers)

For physical wiring, you will probably want something like this:

http://www.getthepictureframing.com/gfaq/gtpnetwork.gif
note that printers can be in any location, with all pc's tied into a common ROUTER that ties into your internet feed. Such as the Linksys WRT54G.

If you go with a router that supports wireless, be sure to either disable or secure the radio.

Mike

PS: That wasnt a stupid question at all :)

[Barb Pelton]

Thanks guys.
Ok, I am going to relocate the cable and router to my office. It shouldn't be too hard; we've got to crawl around in the ceiling to relocate some phone lines anyway. I'll just switch the 2 pc's (I've got to rework that counter configuration anyway) That way I'll be able to take care of ALL of my "business" from the office, instead of hopping up front to run a deposit report or whatever.

Just being in here today has helped alot. Whenever I'm working up front on that side counter, people will think I'm available to "chat". It's gotten to the point that certain well meaning customers will just pull up a bar stool to visit, oblivious to the fact that I'm doing paperwork. Or, they want to pull me off to come wait on them--which is nice, but I've trained 2 designers for that work--unless it is something a little more difficult.

It's just a situation that worked well for years, but doesn't work for me any longer given the growing amount of paperwork I am doing.

I think this is going to be MUCH better, and probably well work the extra Specialty Soft Liscence just to be able to minimize the interruptions.

Now if I can just figure out where all of the back stock/ packaging supplies are going to go....

[Mike Labbe @ GTP]

You don't necessarily have to move your cable wire or router from the front counter to the office. All you need to do is run a single category 5 ethernet wire from the existing equipment (router) to the pc in the back room, and they'll all have internet and networking.

See the bottom of the camera thread in this forum, for a 100 and a 150' cable link.

Mike