Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software and Wide Area Networks

Last reviewed: 12/17/2003
Article ID: R10436

SUMMARY

The movement towards an expanding home work force, employees requiring time sensitive data while traveling, Internet/Intranet and branch or satellite offices has sparked a revolution of connectivity equipment and software. The solutions can be as simple as a host and client software package that allows a remote user to take control of a host machine and retrieve data, or as complex as a full blown communications server that allows hundreds of simultaneous connections from halfway around the world. These technologies promise to reshape the way users build and manage corporate networks. Software Technology, Inc., maker of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster, plans on continually improving its software to take advantage of new hardware, operating systems, networks and the changing needs of its users.

WHAT IS A NETWORK?

A local area network (LAN) is a collection of computers that communicate with each other usually in a confined geographic area such as a building. It may contain as few as two computers or it may link hundreds of computers.

A wide area network (WAN) is a communications network that connects geographically separated areas generally consisting of two or more LANs. As far as the software is concerned, a WAN is the same as a LAN, except that a WAN is slower and can be less reliable.

There are several different methods that allow a remote office or workstation to connect to the home office or server and several network protocols that allow networks to communicate. Networks differ in:

• The way the information is carried (different kinds of wire, optical fiber, wireless)
• The way the network is organized (all connected to a central point or a single line or loop going around all the machines)
• The scale of the network (all in one room to international)

Other factors to consider include:

• Initial cost (hardware, software, training, etc.)
• Security
• Reliability of the system
• Cost of maintaining the system (subscriber fees, hardware maintenance, software upgrades, etc.)

USING TABS3 AND PRACTICEMASTER SOFTWARE IN A WAN ENVIRONMENT

There are two basic methods of using the software in a WAN environment. The first is to run independent applications and data files at the remote location. The second method is to share the applications and data at the host site with the remote location. The method you choose is usually determined by the level of functionality you require at the remote site. There are two primary functions in the software: 1) Data Entry and 2) Report Processing. System performance is directly related to the process being performed since the network is limited by bandwidth (i.e., maximum amount of data that can travel a communications path in a given time). Report processing, for instance, uses much more bandwidth than data entry. The decision as to which method to use should be based on which method is best suited to meet your needs.

INDEPENDENT APPLICATIONS

The purpose of running independent applications at the remote site is to maximize performance and productivity while minimizing the transferring of data. The primary function of this type of configuration is to share resources and facilitate internal communication. Running an independent copy of the software at a remote site requires purchasing an additional copy of the software. The software sublicense agreement prohibits the installation of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software on more than one computer. The agreement states: "The software is licensed to you for use only on a single computer. A separate license is required for each CPU on which the software will be used".

Recommendation:  GOOD  (WAN not a factor since applications run independently at host and remote sites.)

Note: The software sublicense agreement does not limit the copying or transferring of the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster data files. Therefore, it is permissible to download the data files to the remote site to generate reports using third party software programs (i.e., Microsoft Query, Crystal Reports Pro Report Writer, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, etc.) in conjunction with an ODBC driver. Tabs3, PracticeMaster, Tabs3 Trust Accounting Software (TAS), Tabs3 General Ledger Software (GLS), and Tabs3 Accounts Payable Software (APS) data files are ODBC capable. This means that the information in these data files can be accessed with an ODBC driver written by FairCom Corporation (http://www.faircom.com). FairCom Corporation is the manufacturer of the C-tree file storage method used by Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software. ODBC drivers can be purchased from your reseller or our Sales Department. Although ODBC capability allows you to retrieve information from the data files; do not write information to the data files via an ODBC driver. Writing directly to the data files will corrupt the data. Tabs3 and PracticeMaster data files require the 32-bit Read Only ODBC driver.

TABS3 REMOTE DATA ENTRY SOFTWARE

If the sole purpose of running the applications at the remote site is to facilitate data entry, Tabs3 Remote Data Entry Software (http://www.tabs3.com/products/tabs3_remote/remote.html) may be the solution. Tabs3 Remote is a remote data entry program that allows you to record billable and non-billable time and fee charges, expenses and advances along with credits at a remote site. The transactions from the remote site are then transferred to the host computer and merged into the Tabs3 program. Tabs3 Remote is licensed for use on up to 10 separate computers at the same physical location.

RECOMMENDATION:  GOOD  (If the sole purpose is to facilitate data entry.)

If you need more than data entry and reporting capabilities at the remote site (i.e., print statements), you will need to configure the WAN to share the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software.

SHARED APPLICATIONS

In order to utilize a shared application, a communications link must first be established. When accessing software from a remote location via a communications link, the speed at which the data traverses the link is going to depend on what type of connection you are using.

TYPES OF NETWORK CONNECTIONS AND THEIR TRANSFER RATES

LANs may be connected by simple dial-up modems, dedicated lease lines, satellite links, or wireless services. Various types of network connections are listed along with the transfer rates associated with them. Transfer rates are measured in Kilobits-per-second (Kbps). It takes approximately 10 bits to send 1 byte (i.e., 1 character) of information. 1 Kbps is equal to 1,000 bits per second.

• Types of network connections:
  1. Dial-up connection/modem (normal phone line) - 33.2 or 56 Kbps
  2. ISDN (special phone line) - 128 Kbps
  3. Frame Relay - 256 Kbps
  4. xDSL - 184 up to 1,000 Kbps
  5. T1 (leased line) - up to 1,500 Kbps
  6. ATM on optical fiber - 155,000 Kbps

By comparison, a typical Ethernet LAN will communicate at a rate of 10,000 Kbps.  As you can see, even the fastest T1 line is less than 1/6th as fast as a LAN connection.

COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE

In addition to selecting the type of connection to be utilized you must also choose the type of software used to handle the communication. Communication software enables you to connect your computer to other computers to transmit and receive data.

DIRECT ACCESS SOFTWARE

Operating systems, such as Windows 98, have communications software built in. Windows' Remote Access Services (RAS) allows a user to dial into the host system and transfer files without using a separate remote access package. By using RAS and Windows 98 or NT Dial-Up Networking, just about anything can be done across a phone line that can be done from the LAN connection on the user’s desktop.

Recommendation:  NOT RECOMMENDED (Poor performance with bandwidth intensive applications.)

Although there are faster and more reliable options available, direct access software is a viable option. Users must establish their own guidelines as to what is or is not acceptable WAN performance. If you choose to use direct access software to communicate across the WAN, you may want to purchase an WAN License Agreement.

A WAN add-on license entitles a user to install Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software on an additional computer, so that the program files are located on both the file server and remote client site.  However, only one set of data files exists and they are maintained on the file server.  A separate WAN add-on license agreement is required for each remote site of each product. The only advantage gained by installing the software program files at a remote client site is a decrease in the time to load the program files. No improvements will be gained regarding the speed of data entry or the speed of running reports or statements. For additional information and current pricing regarding a WAN add-on license, please contact our Sales Department at (402) 423-1440.

Recommendation: Average (Acceptable for occasional data entry only.)

REMOTE ACCESS SOFTWARE

Another communication option is to utilize remote control/access software. Communication programs, such as pcANYWHERE from Symantec Corporation (http://www.symantec.com), do not perform local processing of applications. They incorporate protocol that separates the application's logic from its user interface. By separating the application's logic from its user interface at the host, only keystrokes, mouse clicks and screen updates travel over the network. Users see and work with the application's interface, but 100% of the application logic executes on the host. The screen, keyboard and mouse information is minimal compared to the programs and data; therefore, less information has to be transferred. A workstation is needed at the home office for each simultaneous remote user. Although the program and data files are not being sent, the video overhead may still be slow when using a modem link.

Recommendation: Good (Acceptable for occasional use. Not designed for full-time remote use.)

SERVER BASED SOFTWARE

Instead of having the remote workstation directly access the programs and data files from the host workstation, another alternative is to use server-based software. Server-based software provides access to virtually any application, across any type of network connection to any type of client. Similar to remote access software, an application runs only on the server in the server-based environment. Since server based software was designed for full-time remote use, even a 28.8K modem can handle the load for one user with reasonable efficiency. Unlike remote access software, remote users share a computer at the host site rather than requiring a separate workstation for each simultaneous remote user.

Examples of methods to do this include:

• MS Terminal Server (http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/ProductInfo/terminal/default.asp)
• Citrix's WinFrame/MetaFrame (http://www.citrix.com)

Recommendation: Excellent (Optimum performance at all levels)

COMMUNICATION HARDWARE

Accounting and bookkeeping packages, like Tabs3 and PracticeMaster, are more bandwidth intensive than general business packages (i.e., word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets). As more users are added to a shared network or as applications requiring more data are added, performance deteriorates. Other factors include the size of the database, the frequency and nature of its use and of course, the computer hardware. The bottom line is that a computer network is only as fast as its slowest part.

CONCLUSION

Business investments are all about benefits and costs. Even with the best advice and guidance, and even with today's more user-friendly networking products, building a reliable, cost-effective, easy-to-use computer network takes a certain amount of time and effort. Today's computer hardware may be faster, but today's software is more demanding, too.

It is not the intent of Software Technology, Inc. to dictate what hardware and software is best for your situation. Our goal is to provide information on how our software performs in a WAN environment so that an intelligent decision can be made either on your own or with the help of a qualified network consultant who knows your business.

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

© 1999-2003 Software Technology, Inc.   All rights reserved.
Knowledge Base:   http://support.Tabs3.com
Web Site:   http://www.Tabs3.com