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FM over the internet...

28 messages

1 2

Drew Tenenholz

Re: FM over the internet...

Reply Threaded

David --

I just want to add at least one more option to the already helpful
advice offered.

With one of my clients, there are a few in-house FMPro users, and
everyone else (up to about 25 people) is expected to use IWP, whether
they are in-house or working at a distance. There are a couple of
reasons for this, including the ability to limit what the average
user has the ability to do, simplicity of design changes, etc.
However, one of the Partners in the firm travels to South Africa
frequently and complained of speed issues when connecting to the
U.S.-based web site (not really a surprise).

So we started down the implementation path for SyncDek
<http://www.worldsync.com/syncdek/index.html>.

There are several possible configurations for SynkDek all of which
could piggy back on the suggestions made so far. For example:

1) You could host one replica of the FM Databases for external users
at a fast data center, giving them fast(er) service. You could place
a second replica inside the office, giving the maximal speed to your
in-house users. If the company wants to host regional/continental
replicas, that is also possible, putting a high-speed
point-of-presence as close to your users as possible.

2) For better speed for everyone, you could give everyone a local
replica of the database system and run SyncDek Server in your office.
Now everyone gets maximal speed and the records are all kept in sync.

Whether one or the other option is more cost effective is hard for me
to say. Either implementation would allow you to have a customer's
only website (at one or more replica locations) to interact with the
data. Of course, there is a cost to SyncDek and different license
structures, but you get both speed and redundancy by using it.

For full disclosure, my client has been hit by the current recession,
so we haven't completed the SyncDek implementation. Thus, I can't
comment on the results of using it. However, the SyncDek folks are
long-standing FileMaker users/developers, and really know their
product well. I trust that when they say they have connected offices
in this fashion, they have successfully done it. Any license you buy
from them includes a piece for training you on their requirements and
confirming that your system will work with their product. (i.e. They
want to make their product work for you at least as much as you do,
and are willing to make the effort to insure it does.)

I suppose one approach is to plan in the necessary elements for
SyncDek (GUIDs for all records and a way to track individual replicas
of the system either inherent in the GUID or in another field/table)
which can't really hurt. Then, deploy locally and see just how
good/bad that connection is. Then, you can start testing the various
methods and see what the speed is like.

Hope this Helps,
Drew Tenenholz

P.S. About RAID5: It doesn't replace good backup strategies onto
OTHER disks. A RAID5 is supposed to be able to rebuild itself if a
slice goes down; maybe even if two slices go down. But there is a
point at which the wrong kind of damage to the RAID loses all data
(as happened to the above client). While the whole system was
offline waiting for new disks and the RAID rebuild and test, we were
able to host the system on a backup server since we had that external
copy. If this system is truly mission-critical, then both you and
your client will be well-served by having redundant means at your
disposal when (and not if) things go wrong. This might possibly be
the best advice you end up giving them.

P.P.S. Have you looked into Smart Quotes Print Estimating Software
from FBA Member Ray Clements? <http://www.legacyusa.net/> He is also
an expert FileMaker developer and in your industry. A bit of a
hard-seller for my personal tastes, but I would suppose that he can
tell you how fast his solution might work in your situation. I think
there is a free trial too.

--
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David Thorp-2

Re: FM over the internet...

Reply Threaded

In reply to this post by Agi Riley

Hi Agi,

Thanks for your many posts on my questions. Appreciated. I have one
question about the below, if you know... I presume they're in the US,
not in Australia. I'm concerned that all that data going across the
pacific could be a problem. Wouldn't I be better off finding someone
local? Or do you know something I don't? ;)

Cheers...
David.

--
David Thorp
All About Abundance Pty Ltd
Brisbane QLD Australia
[hidden email]
ph: +61-4-0558-8065
fx: +61-2-9475-1444

All About Abundance is a leading custom software solutions
provider, based in Brisbane, Australia. We have a unique
approach that revolutionises productivity for small to
medium businesses.

On 30/06/2009, at 3:37 AM, Agi Riley wrote:

> David,
>
> Check this host out:
>
> http://www.thedroolingdog.com/index.lasso?page=service
>
> The Proof Group,is using them. They have a lot of different options.
> This is not an endorsement.
>
> Best,
> Agi
>
>
> Agnes B. Riley
> [hidden email]
>
> Member, FileMaker Business Alliance
> Member, FileMaker Technical Network
>
> FileMaker 10 on Mac OS X 10.5.7
>
> "Imagination is more important than knowledge..."
> /Albert Einstein/
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jun 28, 2009, at 9:04 PM, David Thorp wrote:
>
>> Hi again all...
>>
>> Colin raises another option I hadn't considered and one that looks
>> potentially very attractive:
>>
>>> There is another hosting option - installing the host in an
>>> internet data centre with very fast internet access.
>>
>>
>> ...which also raises the idea of third party FM hosting as well or
>> instead.
>>
>> Do any of you Aussie developers out there know of any good FM
>> hosting companies, and/or internet data centres (where my client
>> could install their own Mini or iMac) in Australia (preferably
>> Brisbane, but that's probably not essential)?
>>
>> Thanks again!
>>
>> --
>> David Thorp
>> All About Abundance Pty Ltd

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Stephen Knight 800.353.7950

Re: FM over the internet...

Reply Threaded

I'll hook you up with someone local - we have a satellite office in
Australia - with your permission I will forward your email address to them
and help get you set up with hosting.

In Kindness
Stephen Knight

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Thorp" <[hidden email]>
To: "FileMaker Talk" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 9:53 PM
Subject: Re: FM over the internet...

> Hi Agi,
>
> Thanks for your many posts on my questions. Appreciated. I have one
> question about the below, if you know... I presume they're in the US,
> not in Australia. I'm concerned that all that data going across the
> pacific could be a problem. Wouldn't I be better off finding someone
> local? Or do you know something I don't? ;)
>
> Cheers...
> David.
>
> --
> David Thorp
> All About Abundance Pty Ltd
> Brisbane QLD Australia
> [hidden email]
> ph: +61-4-0558-8065
> fx: +61-2-9475-1444
>
> All About Abundance is a leading custom software solutions
> provider, based in Brisbane, Australia. We have a unique
> approach that revolutionises productivity for small to
> medium businesses.
>
>
>
> On 30/06/2009, at 3:37 AM, Agi Riley wrote:
>
>> David,
>>
>> Check this host out:
>>
>> http://www.thedroolingdog.com/index.lasso?page=service
>>
>> The Proof Group,is using them. They have a lot of different options.
>> This is not an endorsement.
>>
>> Best,
>> Agi
>>
>>
>> Agnes B. Riley
>> [hidden email]
>>
>> Member, FileMaker Business Alliance
>> Member, FileMaker Technical Network
>>
>> FileMaker 10 on Mac OS X 10.5.7
>>
>> "Imagination is more important than knowledge..."
>> /Albert Einstein/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 28, 2009, at 9:04 PM, David Thorp wrote:
>>
>>> Hi again all...
>>>
>>> Colin raises another option I hadn't considered and one that looks
>>> potentially very attractive:
>>>
>>>> There is another hosting option - installing the host in an internet
>>>> data centre with very fast internet access.
>>>
>>>
>>> ...which also raises the idea of third party FM hosting as well or
>>> instead.
>>>
>>> Do any of you Aussie developers out there know of any good FM hosting
>>> companies, and/or internet data centres (where my client could install
>>> their own Mini or iMac) in Australia (preferably Brisbane, but that's
>>> probably not essential)?
>>>
>>> Thanks again!
>>>
>>> --
>>> David Thorp
>>> All About Abundance Pty Ltd
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> This list is a free service of LassoSoft: http://www.LassoSoft.com/
> Search the list archives: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/Browse/
> Manage your subscription: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/
>
>

David Thorp-2

Re: FM over the internet...

Reply Threaded

Hi Stephen,
Thanks! Permission granted. :) I'm very interested.
David.

On 30/06/2009, at 12:24 PM, Stephen Knight wrote:

> I'll hook you up with someone local - we have a satellite office in
> Australia - with your permission I will forward your email address
> to them and help get you set up with hosting.
>
> In Kindness
> Stephen Knight
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Thorp" <[hidden email]
> >
> To: "FileMaker Talk" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 9:53 PM
> Subject: Re: FM over the internet...
>
>
>> Hi Agi,
>>
>> Thanks for your many posts on my questions. Appreciated. I have
>> one question about the below, if you know... I presume they're in
>> the US, not in Australia. I'm concerned that all that data going
>> across the pacific could be a problem. Wouldn't I be better off
>> finding someone local? Or do you know something I don't? ;)
>>
>> Cheers...
>> David.
>>
>> --
>> David Thorp
>> All About Abundance Pty Ltd
>> Brisbane QLD Australia
>> [hidden email]
>> ph: +61-4-0558-8065
>> fx: +61-2-9475-1444
>>
>> All About Abundance is a leading custom software solutions
>> provider, based in Brisbane, Australia. We have a unique
>> approach that revolutionises productivity for small to
>> medium businesses.
>>
>>
>>
>> On 30/06/2009, at 3:37 AM, Agi Riley wrote:
>>
>>> David,
>>>
>>> Check this host out:
>>>
>>> http://www.thedroolingdog.com/index.lasso?page=service
>>>
>>> The Proof Group,is using them. They have a lot of different
>>> options. This is not an endorsement.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> Agi
>>>
>>>
>>> Agnes B. Riley
>>> [hidden email]
>>>
>>> Member, FileMaker Business Alliance
>>> Member, FileMaker Technical Network
>>>
>>> FileMaker 10 on Mac OS X 10.5.7
>>>
>>> "Imagination is more important than knowledge..."
>>> /Albert Einstein/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jun 28, 2009, at 9:04 PM, David Thorp wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi again all...
>>>>
>>>> Colin raises another option I hadn't considered and one that
>>>> looks potentially very attractive:
>>>>
>>>>> There is another hosting option - installing the host in an
>>>>> internet data centre with very fast internet access.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ...which also raises the idea of third party FM hosting as well
>>>> or instead.
>>>>
>>>> Do any of you Aussie developers out there know of any good FM
>>>> hosting companies, and/or internet data centres (where my client
>>>> could install their own Mini or iMac) in Australia (preferably
>>>> Brisbane, but that's probably not essential)?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks again!
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> David Thorp
>>>> All About Abundance Pty Ltd
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> This list is a free service of LassoSoft: http://www.LassoSoft.com/
>> Search the list archives: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/Browse/
>> Manage your subscription: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/
>>
>
>
> --
> This list is a free service of LassoSoft: http://www.LassoSoft.com/
> Search the list archives: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/Browse/
> Manage your subscription: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/
>
>

Agi Riley

Re: FM over the internet...

Reply Threaded

In reply to this post by David Thorp-2

David,

I do not know specifics about speed tests between having a website
hosted in different countries, but I don't really think it makes that
much of a difference. I was considering hosting a colocated server and
whether I looked at China, Canada or Hungary, the pricing was very
similar. All of the hosting sites were in English so I assume they
target the US and other English-speaking countries.

How about you get a trial somewhere, set up web publishing and test
your access. Hands on work is always the best test and you always
learn something along the way. :-)

Nite-nite.

Agnes Riley
Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 29, 2009, at 9:53 PM, David Thorp <[hidden email]
> wrote:

> Hi Agi,
>
> Thanks for your many posts on my questions. Appreciated. I have
> one question about the below, if you know... I presume they're in
> the US, not in Australia. I'm concerned that all that data going
> across the pacific could be a problem. Wouldn't I be better off
> finding someone local? Or do you know something I don't? ;)
>
> Cheers...
> David.
>
> --
> David Thorp
> All About Abundance Pty Ltd
> Brisbane QLD Australia
> [hidden email]
> ph: +61-4-0558-8065
> fx: +61-2-9475-1444
>
> All About Abundance is a leading custom software solutions
> provider, based in Brisbane, Australia. We have a unique
> approach that revolutionises productivity for small to
> medium businesses.
>
>
>
> On 30/06/2009, at 3:37 AM, Agi Riley wrote:
>
>> David,
>>
>> Check this host out:
>>
>> http://www.thedroolingdog.com/index.lasso?page=service
>>
>> The Proof Group,is using them. They have a lot of different
>> options. This is not an endorsement.
>>
>> Best,
>> Agi
>>
>>
>> Agnes B. Riley
>> [hidden email]
>>
>> Member, FileMaker Business Alliance
>> Member, FileMaker Technical Network
>>
>> FileMaker 10 on Mac OS X 10.5.7
>>
>> "Imagination is more important than knowledge..."
>> /Albert Einstein/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 28, 2009, at 9:04 PM, David Thorp wrote:
>>
>>> Hi again all...
>>>
>>> Colin raises another option I hadn't considered and one that looks
>>> potentially very attractive:
>>>
>>>> There is another hosting option - installing the host in an
>>>> internet data centre with very fast internet access.
>>>
>>>
>>> ...which also raises the idea of third party FM hosting as well or
>>> instead.
>>>
>>> Do any of you Aussie developers out there know of any good FM
>>> hosting companies, and/or internet data centres (where my client
>>> could install their own Mini or iMac) in Australia (preferably
>>> Brisbane, but that's probably not essential)?
>>>
>>> Thanks again!
>>>
>>> --
>>> David Thorp
>>> All About Abundance Pty Ltd
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> This list is a free service of LassoSoft: http://www.LassoSoft.com/
> Search the list archives: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/Browse/
> Manage your subscription: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/
>
>

Agi Riley

Re: FM over the internet...

Reply Threaded

In reply to this post by Stephen Knight 800.353.7950

Sorry, I haven't seen Stephen's response when I wrote mine.

Agnes Riley
Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 29, 2009, at 10:24 PM, "Stephen Knight"
<[hidden email]> wrote:

David Thorp-2

Re: FM over the internet...

Reply Threaded

Thanks again Agi. No worries. I'll see how things go with Stephen
and go from there. :)
David.

On 30/06/2009, at 1:45 PM, Agi Riley wrote:

> Sorry, I haven't seen Stephen's response when I wrote mine.
>
> Agnes Riley
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jun 29, 2009, at 10:24 PM, "Stephen Knight" <[hidden email]
> > wrote:
>
>> I'll hook you up with someone local - we have a satellite office in
>> Australia - with your permission I will forward your email address
>> to them and help get you set up with hosting.
>>
>> In Kindness
>> Stephen Knight
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Thorp" <[hidden email]
>> >
>> To: "FileMaker Talk" <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 9:53 PM
>> Subject: Re: FM over the internet...
>>
>>
>>> Hi Agi,
>>>
>>> Thanks for your many posts on my questions. Appreciated. I have
>>> one question about the below, if you know... I presume they're in
>>> the US, not in Australia. I'm concerned that all that data going
>>> across the pacific could be a problem. Wouldn't I be better off
>>> finding someone local? Or do you know something I don't? ;)
>>>
>>> Cheers...
>>> David.
>>>
>>> --
>>> David Thorp
>>> All About Abundance Pty Ltd
>>> Brisbane QLD Australia
>>> [hidden email]
>>> ph: +61-4-0558-8065
>>> fx: +61-2-9475-1444
>>>
>>> All About Abundance is a leading custom software solutions
>>> provider, based in Brisbane, Australia. We have a unique
>>> approach that revolutionises productivity for small to
>>> medium businesses.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 30/06/2009, at 3:37 AM, Agi Riley wrote:
>>>
>>>> David,
>>>>
>>>> Check this host out:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.thedroolingdog.com/index.lasso?page=service
>>>>
>>>> The Proof Group,is using them. They have a lot of different
>>>> options. This is not an endorsement.
>>>>
>>>> Best,
>>>> Agi
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Agnes B. Riley
>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>
>>>> Member, FileMaker Business Alliance
>>>> Member, FileMaker Technical Network
>>>>
>>>> FileMaker 10 on Mac OS X 10.5.7
>>>>
>>>> "Imagination is more important than knowledge..."
>>>> /Albert Einstein/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Jun 28, 2009, at 9:04 PM, David Thorp wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi again all...
>>>>>
>>>>> Colin raises another option I hadn't considered and one that
>>>>> looks potentially very attractive:
>>>>>
>>>>>> There is another hosting option - installing the host in an
>>>>>> internet data centre with very fast internet access.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ...which also raises the idea of third party FM hosting as well
>>>>> or instead.
>>>>>
>>>>> Do any of you Aussie developers out there know of any good FM
>>>>> hosting companies, and/or internet data centres (where my
>>>>> client could install their own Mini or iMac) in Australia
>>>>> (preferably Brisbane, but that's probably not essential)?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks again!
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> David Thorp
>>>>> All About Abundance Pty Ltd
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> This list is a free service of LassoSoft: http://www.LassoSoft.com/
>>> Search the list archives: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/
>>> Browse/
>>> Manage your subscription: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> This list is a free service of LassoSoft: http://www.LassoSoft.com/
>> Search the list archives: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/Browse/
>> Manage your subscription: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/
>>
>>
>
> --
> This list is a free service of LassoSoft: http://www.LassoSoft.com/
> Search the list archives: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/Browse/
> Manage your subscription: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/
>
>

David Thorp-2

Re: FM over the internet...

Reply Threaded

In reply to this post by Drew Tenenholz

Hi Drew, Just a quick thanks for this suggestion. It is definitely
worth a look. At worst I can present it to the client as an option.

If anyone else has had any experience with SyncDek, I'd be very
interested to hear about it.

Cheers...
David.

On 30/06/2009, at 4:25 AM, Drew Tenenholz wrote:

> David --
>
> I just want to add at least one more option to the already helpful
> advice offered.
>
> With one of my clients, there are a few in-house FMPro users, and
> everyone else (up to about 25 people) is expected to use IWP,
> whether they are in-house or working at a distance. There are a
> couple of reasons for this, including the ability to limit what the
> average user has the ability to do, simplicity of design changes,
> etc. However, one of the Partners in the firm travels to South
> Africa frequently and complained of speed issues when connecting to
> the U.S.-based web site (not really a surprise).
>
> So we started down the implementation path for SyncDek <http://www.worldsync.com/syncdek/index.html
> >.
>
> There are several possible configurations for SynkDek all of which
> could piggy back on the suggestions made so far. For example:
>
> 1) You could host one replica of the FM Databases for external
> users at a fast data center, giving them fast(er) service. You
> could place a second replica inside the office, giving the maximal
> speed to your in-house users. If the company wants to host regional/
> continental replicas, that is also possible, putting a high-speed
> point-of-presence as close to your users as possible.
>
> 2) For better speed for everyone, you could give everyone a local
> replica of the database system and run SyncDek Server in your
> office. Now everyone gets maximal speed and the records are all kept
> in sync.
>
> Whether one or the other option is more cost effective is hard for
> me to say. Either implementation would allow you to have a
> customer's only website (at one or more replica locations) to
> interact with the data. Of course, there is a cost to SyncDek and
> different license structures, but you get both speed and redundancy
> by using it.
>
> For full disclosure, my client has been hit by the current
> recession, so we haven't completed the SyncDek implementation.
> Thus, I can't comment on the results of using it. However, the
> SyncDek folks are long-standing FileMaker users/developers, and
> really know their product well. I trust that when they say they
> have connected offices in this fashion, they have successfully done
> it. Any license you buy from them includes a piece for training you
> on their requirements and confirming that your system will work with
> their product. (i.e. They want to make their product work for you
> at least as much as you do, and are willing to make the effort to
> insure it does.)
>
>
> I suppose one approach is to plan in the necessary elements for
> SyncDek (GUIDs for all records and a way to track individual
> replicas of the system either inherent in the GUID or in another
> field/table) which can't really hurt. Then, deploy locally and see
> just how good/bad that connection is. Then, you can start testing
> the various methods and see what the speed is like.
>
> Hope this Helps,
> Drew Tenenholz
>
> P.S. About RAID5: It doesn't replace good backup strategies onto
> OTHER disks. A RAID5 is supposed to be able to rebuild itself if a
> slice goes down; maybe even if two slices go down. But there is a
> point at which the wrong kind of damage to the RAID loses all data
> (as happened to the above client). While the whole system was
> offline waiting for new disks and the RAID rebuild and test, we were
> able to host the system on a backup server since we had that
> external copy. If this system is truly mission-critical, then both
> you and your client will be well-served by having redundant means at
> your disposal when (and not if) things go wrong. This might
> possibly be the best advice you end up giving them.
>
>
> P.P.S. Have you looked into Smart Quotes Print Estimating Software
> from FBA Member Ray Clements? <http://www.legacyusa.net/> He is
> also an expert FileMaker developer and in your industry. A bit of a
> hard-seller for my personal tastes, but I would suppose that he can
> tell you how fast his solution might work in your situation. I
> think there is a free trial too.
>
> --
> This list is a free service of LassoSoft: http://www.LassoSoft.com/
> Search the list archives: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/Browse/
> Manage your subscription: http://www.ListSearch.com/FileMaker/
>
>

--
David Thorp
All About Abundance Pty Ltd
Brisbane QLD Australia
[hidden email]
ph: +61-4-0558-8065
fx: +61-2-9475-1444

All About Abundance is a leading custom software solutions
provider, based in Brisbane, Australia. We have a unique
approach that revolutionises productivity for small to
medium businesses.

****** ALL ABOUT ABUNDANCE IS HIRING (MARKETING) ******
We are looking for a go-getter marketing person to help
dramatically expand our business.

It is a challenging role but the right person will make a
very healthy, performance-based six-figure income.

Many of our staff work remotely, and this role need be no
exception. Applicants from all English speaking countries
are welcome.

If you think this might be you, or if you know of someone,
please contact me OFF-LIST at the address in my signature
above.
***********************************************************

--
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