Advanced Data Sharing

In default configuration, Simply Contacts Database can run on a single computer or share a database between several users on a local network, subject to the number of licensed purchased.

This page discussed several options for more advanced data sharing. You can use them in various combinations to create a system that works best for you.

• SQL Server database - for larger databases or networks.
• Internet Synchronization - to accommodate users with only a temporary access to the Internet.
• Remote Desktop Connections - for connections from any computer.

SQL Server Database

By defaut, the program uses Access database engine. It is a simple solution for a database of up to tens of thousands records on a small local network or a database of hundred thousand records on a single computer.

SQL Server can share databases of tens to hundreds thousands of records over local networks, virtual private networks (VPN) or the Internet, but requires a server and assistance of an IT professional to install and arrange back ups.

You can also use an SQL Server hosting company to house your database.

Internet Synchronization

With this option, you can install autonomous copies of the system on laptop computers of your travelling staff. They can modify their data independently and synchronize their databases whenever they have a chance to connect to the Internet. This function does not require a central database; each copy will be synchronized with every other copy.

Remote Desktop Connection

Remote Desktop Connection allows users to access a centrally located installation of Simply Contacts Database from Windows, Macintosh or Linux computers. In this scenario, the program must be installed on a Windows server with a number of RDC licenses; the users connect to that computer with Remote Desktop client software that is available for a number of platforms. Suitable Windows servers can be leased from around US$50/month from VPS hosting companies; you will need help of an IT professional to set them up.

Please contact us if you have further questions regarding Remote Desktop Connections.

Rule of Thumb

In many cases either of the three options above will provde the solution for your data sharing needs. If you have an IT professional either working for or servicing your organization, please involve him or her in the decision process. The following can be used as a rough guide only:

1. If you already have a Windows Server in-house with sufficient number of Remote Desktop licenses and your database is less than 20,000 records, Remote Desktop Connection wll be the cheapest and the easiest option
2. Otherwise, if you already have a SQL server in-house accessible by staff and your database is over 10,000 records or needs to be shared by more than 5 people, use SQL Server option.
3. Otherwise, if your staff have permanent access to the Internet, find an SQL Server hosting company and use the SQL server option with the hosted database.
4. Otherwise, if your staff have occasional access to the Internet, use Internet Synchronization
5. If you need to access the database from different operating systems, use Remote Desktop connection to either an in-house server or a leased server or VPS.
6. If you both have a large database and need to access the system from different operating systems, use Remote Desktop with SQL server database.

Take advice of your IT consultant and/or contact us if there are any questions.