4 work stations 1 server all Microsoft - please advise.

[jlct021]

Have been approached by a client to advise on setting up a small network with 4 pc's and one server. (all Microsoft).

Its an accounting company that will (most likely) be using Pastel, Outlook, Word, Excel and...that's probably about it.

They want the data (that their employee's) will be capturing etc to be stored on the server with as little ability as possible for the employees to loose / delete / steel etc the data.

I suggested 4 work station terminals with no hard drives of their own running off the server.

They said they still wanted the workstations to have hard drives and operation systems of their own and didn't want empty terminals so to speak as that would make them too dependent on the server.

Any suggestions / advise would really be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[bekdik]

If you don't have any server experience I suggest you call in somebody who does.

 

[jlct021]

That would be you the person reading this thread.

 

[murraybiscuit]

just use the online versions of the software.
pastel, and microsoft are all in the cloud now.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

just use the online versions of the software.
pastel, and microsoft are all in the cloud now.

Actuall the Pastel online is very limited and rather useless. I looked into it last month for my wifes small business and it lacks too many features. Its a replacement for one of their products and not the full range.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

1. Do you need domain functionality?
2. Do you need to allocate users into groups?

If no, then rather look at a Linux solution as a Microsoft server solution for 4 workstations will be too expensive.

You can always use WIndows7 instead of a server OS on the server, but it is not recommended.

And, of course, antivirus.

For email I would suggest gmail as microsoft exchange would be too expensive, and it just is not the hassle worth it installing Small Business Server and email just for 4 workstations.

If Pastel + Linux is not possible, then a M$-only solution will be preferable.

But, if the client plans to expand in the future, rather get a server OS from the beginning.