Hello everyone,
I have a rather extensive split database that has a back-end on a local server and two front-ends on the same local network.
I am looking into the possibility of changing the database to be shared via the web for a few different reasons:
- We want to expand to include users who likely won't be on the same internal network.
- We want to have an offsite back up of the database in case of catastrophic loss of data (e.g. a fire onsite that destroys the local server).
- We may want to have some users access and enter data using a tablet or smart phone.
To give a little bit of background, this is a database for a zoo and the number of users would stay below 10, probably just 5 or 6. The database is currently on a local server in the office, but we'd like the Ticket Booth to have access to it as well (they'd be on a different local network), and possibly zoo keepers from their tablet/smartphones when out on the grounds and away from the network.
I have never worked with SharePoint and I'm currently reading up on it but also would like some guidance from other people. Here are some basic questions to start out with:
- I currently don't have SharePoint installed on my computer. Is it included in the standard MS Office Professional licence or is it purchased separately?
- Is it a software that you install on your computer or pay to have use of online?
- How secure is it? Do you have to pay to have additional security? Do you have to have a log in username & password to access the database?
- Is it easy to move/convert a current split database into a SharePoint database or would I have to essentially rebuild everything from scratch?
- How hard is it to set up tablet/smartphone access to a SharePoint database? How well does it function?
- Are there other, reliable solutions besides SharePoint? (For example, does sharing the back-end database via a service like Dropbox work?)
Thanks in advance!
I have a rather extensive split database that has a back-end on a local server and two front-ends on the same local network.
I am looking into the possibility of changing the database to be shared via the web for a few different reasons:
- We want to expand to include users who likely won't be on the same internal network.
- We want to have an offsite back up of the database in case of catastrophic loss of data (e.g. a fire onsite that destroys the local server).
- We may want to have some users access and enter data using a tablet or smart phone.
To give a little bit of background, this is a database for a zoo and the number of users would stay below 10, probably just 5 or 6. The database is currently on a local server in the office, but we'd like the Ticket Booth to have access to it as well (they'd be on a different local network), and possibly zoo keepers from their tablet/smartphones when out on the grounds and away from the network.
I have never worked with SharePoint and I'm currently reading up on it but also would like some guidance from other people. Here are some basic questions to start out with:
- I currently don't have SharePoint installed on my computer. Is it included in the standard MS Office Professional licence or is it purchased separately?
- Is it a software that you install on your computer or pay to have use of online?
- How secure is it? Do you have to pay to have additional security? Do you have to have a log in username & password to access the database?
- Is it easy to move/convert a current split database into a SharePoint database or would I have to essentially rebuild everything from scratch?
- How hard is it to set up tablet/smartphone access to a SharePoint database? How well does it function?
- Are there other, reliable solutions besides SharePoint? (For example, does sharing the back-end database via a service like Dropbox work?)
Thanks in advance!