[Fletch55]

Hello,
Ok I am in need of some help here as I am working on trying to figure some networking or remote desktop setups out. Here's what I want to do and what I have to do so... I have a small store and currently have 1 cashregister computer setup. It's a windows xp pro computer with a program called TRS-8 which is my cash register program. It lets me ring people up keep live inventory and keep customer info in it. I have a second computer I want to have as a second cash register same way but I want to be able to keep my inventory and info all current so what I was thinking can I have the second register computer access the original one and run the same program off that computers hard drive so all the info is actually coming direct from that original computer. This way if I have 6 items and each computer rings up 1 sold it will show the correct stock as being 4. I had a few ideas but not sure which is easiest and best for what I have. I was reading maybe remote desktop would help? Maybe a wireless network group? Both computers have current windows xp pro build 3 on them. I have currently AT&T 2wire router modem. It's a combo that puts out my wireless signal as well as its my modem but I have options for another if need be.My main computer has a direct ethernet cable to the wireless router for a connection. The second computer has a netgear usb wireless card to connect to the internet. Can I set this up so both can run the same program at the same time from the original hard drive or do I need to break out my n+ wireless Belkin router that will allow an exertnal hard drive to become a wireless drive access point. I just want to be able to have both cash register/computers able to ring people up same time and use the same inventory amounts on the original so inventory is correct? Any ideas are appreciated.. Im good with builkding computers setting them up and web design but networking is little new so be gentle.. Thankls in advance... anyways basically I need to be able to run the same program on both machines from the original computers drive at the same time and wirelessly or via the internet or Virtual network think its called.

[Scleros]

what i was thinking can I have the second register computer access the original one and run the same program off that computers harddrive so all the info is actually coming direct from that original computer.

Seems reasonable, but no, unless the TRS-8 software supports doing that itself. The problem you'll likely run into without support from the software itself is concurrency issues which is a fancy way of saying the two registers will be fighting for access to the same data files at the same time which can lead to corruption of the underlying database the software is built on. It wasn't apparent from JMM Software's website whether their TRS product has multi-user / multi-register capabilities. Suggest you inquire with them before you mess up your records and business experimenting.

...reading maybe remote desktop would help?

Not if "I just want to be able to have both cash register/computers able to ring people up same time and use the same inventory amounts on the original so inventory is correct?" is actually true. If you have one clerk who physically needs to utilize two different registers but not concurrently, remote desktop could help as you could login to the first register from the second register computer and use the first register as if you were standing at it, but that doesn't sound like what you need.

If JMM does not have the functionality you need, Intuit's Quickbooks Point of Sale might be an option. Be aware that multi-user / multi-register tends to get expensive quickly for both licensing and hardware costs as often a back-end server is required to host the data and inventory application. The registers are then simply clients that provide a front-end interface to the applications and data on the server. Client-server arrangements normally don't care whether the network transport is wired or wireless, however if you decide to go wireless with anything please, please, please have a local integrator confirm or design your installation as there are significant security concerns for this type of application, particularly if you accept credit cards.

[Fletch55]

Ok so did some playing and reading. New question same situation. If I was to setup a mini server running like windows home server then load all of my inventory and the TRS9 program onto that server could I then remotely access the server via each cash register and then be allowed to access the same program at similar times from2 machines? Seems like what I am reading I should be able to have up to 10 access at any given time.This way all my info is on a server and the cashregisters would be remotely accessing that server for the stock/inventory. Would this way work for what I am trying to do?

[ScottGem]

IF the TRS program allows mutliple access from different users, then you can do this. You could use a machine with Windows Home Server or another server based OS. But its not necessary. You could simply use another XP or Vista based machine that would act as a file server with all workstations mapped to it as a shared drive.

The actual machines used as a cash register would have the TRS software installed on them.

But you really should be talking to your TRS salesperson or representative. I got this from the TRS site:

]Licensing Details

• TRS is licensed per store.
• Add additional workstations or back office computers at no charge.
• From the smallest store to the largest, TRS is a great value!
  
  
  
  

From the second bullet it appears that you can do this with no additional licensing costs.

[Fletch55]

Sounds good I appreciate both of your help ideas and will try and give TRS a call and see what they come up with for me and I will post back if this resolves my needs. Side not sort of related. If I did have the server, Im thinking of one for home now that I read it, would 2 computers be able to use the same files at once like if it was a video could 2 different machine access the video at the same time or something like a program like macromedia dreamweaver? Thanks again for the help.

[ScottGem]

What you are referring to is a concept called client/server. In this setup, one machine acts as a server serving up the data to one or more clients. The problem is how you connect to the server from the clients.

If you want to do work at home utilizing the data on the network in the store, then I would suggest Logmein.com. You leave a PC on in the store office and you can remote to it over the Net and do your work.

This is not suitable for running the register program on two PCs because two users would interfere with each other. Also, in your setup its not necessary. But it would be perfect to work at home on the data on the store's server.

[Fletch55]

Well for the home thing I would need to access the store info and if I did I could just use a remote desktop to the main machine to get any info. On the home server idea I just wanted to do that for home files and things I do at home as sometimes I work on different machines and sometime it would be nice if others wanted to watch moview from my main machine in other areas without interferring with each other so was thinking a mini server holding all the media would let people do what they wanted without interference to the others who maybe watching the same movie or listening to same songs.I will post back

[ScottGem]

I have a Windows Home Server machine (HP MediaSmart Server) and it works great for what you are talking about. But trying to keep data on the store network in sync with the data on the Home server is too cumbersome when you can remote to a machine on the store network.