Hardware, Remote Access, Central Reservations & Wi-fi
Before buying your hardware from
a warehouse on the internet, you should consider the benefits and services of a
local reputable firm, or independent, to supply and maintain your hardware.
Firms can setup your hardware with:-
- Anti-virus and Firewall software to protect your data
- Automatic backups, to backup Resident Pro, and other data
- Networking options to connect your computers
- Broadband to access the internet
- Email account and hosting provider
- Wi-fi hotspots to allow guests to access the internet
- Remote desktop access, to allow you to use Resident Pro in your hotel, from
any computer in the world...
Remote Access
Remote access to your computer allows you to connect to your dedicated server
anytime, anywhere. This makes it possible to use Resident Pro as if you are
right in front of your computer, from any computer anywhere e.g. you can work
from home, or even while you are on holiday. You can also access any other
files, e.g. anything on the network, pictures and documents. Remote access also
allows you to receive real-time support via the vnc (virtual network computing).
My local contact is:- Elliott Chandler, Clear Wave...
All you require is a computer running windows (a
dedicated server rather than a computer that is likely to be used at the same
time by receptionists), internet explorer, a firewall, and a static IP
address.
If you are unsure whether or not your broadband equipment (router) has a
built-in firewall, then jot down the make and model and let us know. You
also need to ensure you are using a static IP address. If you don't know
whether you use a static IP address then ask your ISP (internet service
provider), or alternatively go to www.whatsmyip.org
and jot down your IP address. Then, switch off your broadband equipment,
restart it and go to the whatsmyip website to see if the IP address has
changed. If it has changed, you need to ask your ISP for a static IP
address.
Prosafe
SSL from Netgear
There are several possible ways to achieve Remote Access. Our preferred
solution is a specially configured Remote Access Box from Netgear, which we can
setup and supply to you. This simply plugs in between your firewall and server, and
allows us to setup your Remote access from as little as a few hundred pounds.
Once your remote access is in place, you will be supplied with a special
https://url address to connect to your computer remotely. Simply type this url
into Internet Explorer. You will then be asked for your username, password
and domain, thereafter a Netgear splash screen will appear and bingo!... you now
have Remote Access to your server. We also recommend you buy a Secure
Digital Certificate.
LogMeIn
Software
Remote access can also be achieved with software.
One limitation of software based remote access, is that you must have the
software installed on the computer you are connecting to, and also on the
computer you are connecting from. For example, Logmein is available as a free
product - although the professional version of Logmein has more
functionality.
Multi-site or Central Reservations
If you have several hotels you may want to setup a Distributed
network, so that bookings can be taken from a Central Reservations office, as
well as from, and between, the individual hotels. This can be achieved by allowing the central reservations office,
and each site, to remotely
access the individual servers at each hotel, much in the same way as described
earlier. Remote Access
must be installed at each hotel, and you could also consider installing Windows Business Server software, and Instant Messaging.
Wi-fi
You may want to offer wi-fi to your guests. This will allow them to
connect automatically to the internet within your premises, using their own
laptop computer.
