Remote Desktop is a good idea but is impractical here for the laptops. When in the field there will be no online access available. They will be offline and might have a need to access data. The way it works now if they need something it gets emailed to them and they look at it on their phone. Everyone complains about the small size and difficulty of reading on the small screen. All personnel have Nokia 635 Windows phones now.
Susan, thanks for that link. That looks interesting but I'm pretty sure he will balk at the annual cost. It helps with the file sharing but doesn't cover the laptop backup/restore quickly he would like. James is correct on the 2 main needs. Based on what he has asked I think a good solution is install Server 2012 R2 Essentials in the office. This gives him the ability to consolidate files in one place and share them within the office as well as backup the local computers. Even when the boss and manager bring in their laptops. The remote/field laptops would need very explicit instructions on how to image the laptop and create a backup schedule to an external USB drive. Or I could remote in and show them how and/or do the initial setup myself so I know it's done correctly. The next part would be getting them to connect to the server in the evening when they have Internet access and/or getting a cloud file storage location everyone will be able to access. If we stay a complete Microsoft solution maybe One Drive for Business. So far we are talking about 8 laptops. Art DeKneef Avanti Computers Mesa, AZ 480-649-4430 Office 480-529-4430 Mobile -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of James Button Sent: Wednesday, September 3, 2014 10:51 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [NTSysADM] Remote full computer backup to cloud I suspect there are 2 Main needs: 1) Be able to restore/reconstruct a users environment on a wandering laptop PC. 2) Maintain latest copies of data that is shared as available to all users That would be well addressed by: A) Some process to address the situation when a drive (or whole system) becomes unusable - hardware or malware B) Use a facility to Sync their data onto/from a central storage facility that can either be held solely on a Cloud provider, or using cloud facilities, maintained of a central office server. So that is a base 'save' of their systems - or ensure they have the appropriate software DVD's and licence codes. They would need to be taken with them when they travel, or they will have to 'RTB' to do a rebuild And ensure that their 'data' files are saved regularly - my experience with satellite working clients is that having their system do a sync to the central store when they login is an ideal time to do that - allowing them the option of NOT THIS TIME. And a when they save and close a file sync that to the cloud and onto the home store. Things can be simple until you start worrying about data privacy, and users not being sensible. That can be addressed by extensive technological checking, or a management interview considering the future prospects of people who are not intelligent enough to follow a simple manual procedure And that, of course depends on the senior managements attitude - they support the IT staff in their efforts to address the company needs - or they show they don't care. Then again you could be working in Government - so just ensure you have documentary evidence such that you have appointed a scapegoat! JimB -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Susan Bradley Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2014 6:09 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [NTSysADM] Remote full computer backup to cloud Then you have a good solid sync solution. http://www.egnyte.com/ would be one to look at But the more I read about this client, they need to share files, they need to not keep swapping files. Client backup isn't the real problem here as I'm reading between the lines? Susan Bradley BIG BIG thanks to Barb Bowman and Robert Pearman for all their help in migrating the blogs. I think we're about done with the migration project at http://blogs.msmvps.com On 9/3/2014 9:50 AM, Ben Scott wrote: > On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 12:18 PM, Susan Bradley <[email protected]> wrote: >> IMHO Remote desktop services not client backup to the cloud is what >> he really needs. He needs stupid thin clients that remote to a >> central repository that is backed up. > What if offline is a requirement? (Serious question, that's what > kills the idea for us.) > > -- Ben > > >
