Hosted and Onsite Versions
There are two ways of operating our software that determines how you would purchase. A hosted version and an onsite version. Each version has its merits. Usually the size and capabilities of your organization will determine which would be your preferred version. Both system operate essentially the same.
With the hosted version, we maintain your database of information here in Dallas, Texas, handle the server software maintenance, and just provide you with the accounting application software. You may operate from only one office, have multiple branch offices, access from your home or from technician trucks, and have technicians operating with their own remote technician versions for handling workorders in the field.
With the onsite installed version. we install the database server, application server, and the application software all at your office site. It could be just a base office installation. Or like our hosted version, you could still have branch offices accessing from out of town or from your homes or trucks. And you can also have remote technicians that operate disconnected while in the field and connect when back in the office or whereever they have internet connections.
Again, both systems are the same database server, application server, and application software components. The hosted version we handle the data storage and connections, with the data being located in Dallas, Texas. With the full onsite install, you have the data located in your office.
How It All Works
Our system consist of essentially three major components, the database server, the application server, and the application software.
The database server is a commercial grade sql server database server engine. It will handle all data storage. A single database engine is capable of handling multiple company databases and gigabytes of data. A normal company database is only several hundred megabytes even when storing document images. It has full transaction logging and automatic backup features. The database server is installed on a server machine along with the application server. The database server runs as a windows service.
The application server is the traffic cop to the system. It handle all communications to and from the database server. The application server also handles all logging of users and sql statements passing through the system. By connecting to the application server we can tell who is online and what they are doing. Logging can be turned on or off. When connecting from outside your immediate network, the client software will connect thru your router to the application server. A port on the router ( usually Port 12000 ) is used. But any port can be designated. In fact, multiple instances of the application server can be running at the same time on different ports. The application server is installed on a server machine along with the database server. The application server runs as a windows service.
The application software can be any of the industry specific client software that we have developed. It could be the HVAC Central program or the Catering Central program or the HVAC Remote Technician program. Basically, it is what the user interacts with. The application software connects to the application server thru a user login with a user name, user password, host machine ip address, and host machine port. The application software is installed on each desktop machine that the user will be running the program from. This could be a desktop in the office and / or a desktop or laptop at a branch office or home or a truck.