Running Pastel in a Terminal Server Interface.

We have installed a full blown version of Pastel Partner on our Terminal Server. Its current licencing structure allows for 20 concurrent users per company.

We have structured the server to create a unique session per company / per user.
Users login to the server from any platform - Linux, Windows or Apple MAC. The user can login to the server from any internet connection including a dialup connection as the bandwidth requirements for a terminal server session is very small.

Once the user is logged in - he sees only his custom menu that we create for him. His desktop simulates the dektop of a standard windows machine. From this desktop he has access to Pastel, Microsoft Office and any other tools we provide on the server.

Benefits to this system are:

Users data is preserved on our servers. We do Daily backups of the user data. Our servers are powered with a UPS with an up time of 20 minutes. Behind that we have an Automatic Diesel generator with a capacity for 11  hours between refuels. So in the event of a power failure our servers remain up constantly. The user, if he loses his connection to the server, simply re-logs in when possible and resumes his session exactly where he left off with no interruption.

Accountants and Bookkeepers have access to the data directly from their offices. These Accountants can service multiple accounts all on one interface. We have the ability to create different profiles for each user. A profile mighjt only have access to one set of data, while another profile has access to multiple sets of data.

If the user has a technical issue with the server, it is a simple process for a software technician to connect and review the issue directly.

The application performs at the speed of the server and not the clients machine. The client machine is simply seeing a screen duplicate of the processes occuring on the server.

The server is not affected by viruses or problems on the clients machine. We do not allow the user to browse the internet or receive email on the server. So access there is limited specifically to the applications setup for the user.

The user has access from wherever he has an internet connection. This could be via 3G, ADSL, local or international. Effectivly the entire accounting system is mobile.

In the event of companies having multiple branches, the serve ris capable of a very low cost multi branch system. Data from all the branches can be shared on a single set of accounts sharing the same stock systems and other componennts of the accounting system.

Other Systems.

Clients having custom applications and requirements in addition to the ones provided on the server, can aply to have the software installed for their use on the server.

Printers.

Printers and other shared resources can be used as usual on the server. As soon as the user makes a connection to the server, his own printers are automatically connected and assigned to his printers and facilities. Printers that are used here must be able to work on Windows Server 2003. i.e. They need to have drivers that are supported by the server. Any non standard printers will not be displayed. We have found ways around this in some cases where we use a compatible driver.

Summary.

The version of pastel installed is critical. Later Versions do not allow this functionality as they would infringe on the licencing structure. For this reason we have limited the server to Pastel Partner 2004. Any subsequent versions will require a copy of the Pastel with its licences to be installed in a separate location for the company.

The remote Terminal Server is a very convenient way for small companies to have a fully fledged accounting system with the same conveniences as that of a larger corporate company. Access for support, accountability etcx is made very easy and simple. On the go executives now have direct access to their accounting data from anywhere.