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Web Server - How Useful is It?

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    Web Server - How Useful is It?

    I have a client which needs an in-house database to track their customers. This is a perfect fit for the Desktop. However, I'm wondering if it should be designed as a web app even though the only computers accessing it will be the ones in the office. There are no plans at this time to access the server from outside the office.

    1) Set up as a web app, will it really be necessary to access the internet? This does not need to access the internet if it's not necessary as evrtything is 'in-house'.
    2) If so, what if the web goes down, can the other office computers still access the server?
    3) In essence, will a web based app run as if it were a desktop app?

    I realize that if it's set up as a web app, it would be a simple process to allow customers to place an order but first things first. Employees must use the system in-house to establish orders, follow-up with existing orders, invoicing, etc. The client wants a system that is simple and easy to use.
    TYVM :) kenn

    Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

    #2
    Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

    Ken - this is for an internally hosted "web" app on their own internal network:

    1) nope, no internet access required for an in-house "web" app ... better to think of it as a browser-delivered app

    2) see #1 ... the "web" has nothing to do with an in-house browser-delivered app

    3) yes ... for all intents and purposes

    Cheers!
    Lyle
    Last edited by 2ninerniner2; 11-23-2012, 12:12 PM. Reason: typo
    Cheers!
    Lyle Chamney
    http://www.2ninerniner2.com/
    Websites rebuilt with WordPress
    http://goodcheapfastwebsites.com/
    Complete, ready to install WordPress websites
    http://snifflevalve.com
    WordPress training and tutorials

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

      Yes, an A5 web app is perfect for such an intranet application.
      1) No internet access required, unless you are offering a map component or sending e-mails.
      2) Web app needs to be restarted if it goes down (very rare occurrence). App server and DB server can share the same machine. Once userbase is small, you can even use someone's desktop machine for this purpose. Just make sure to have automated, regular backups during each day.
      3) An intranet web app will generally operate like webmail does via the internet, but without the transmission delays of the internet. Clients are already familiar with their browsers, so they are 100% comfortable operating this way. No drawbacks, just do the web app. And when they want to allow customers in, you will be able to do this very easily without recoding a thing.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

        I'm surprised nobody mentioned the biggest benefit...no need to install/update runtime on each computer.
        Email can be sent, but only if there is an inhouse mail server (linux email servers are usually inexpensive and easy to setup).
        Gregg
        https://paiza.io is a great site to test and share sql code

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          #5
          Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

          Originally posted by agillbb View Post
          1) No internet access required, unless you are offering a map component or sending e-mails.
          As all web guys know you have to have internet access to activate the server. After that you don't need it anymore.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

            Thank you forf the feed back. It is invaluable and will make this project a bit easier, I hope.

            Originally posted by madtowng View Post
            I'm surprised nobody mentioned the biggest benefit...no need to install/update runtime on each computer.
            Email can be sent, but only if there is an inhouse mail server (linux email servers are usually inexpensive and easy to setup).
            I'm even more surprised Alpha hasn't mentioned that a web app can, for all practical purposes, run as a desktop. Aside from selling runtime for various computers, it appears to be a very slick way to do it.
            TYVM :) kenn

            Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

              Ken,

              Alpha has mentioned it many times, but I don't think it was recent.

              The was costs about 400 and then the cost of the dev platform. Remember, you may want or need packs for your app.

              runtime was just advertised for 99.00 along with 2 dev packages at 199.00. Yes it is still less than web style, but if you may someday access from the outside???

              The old installing runtime vs browser(was) = either way, someone has to set each up on each computer for each user. Unlimited runtime is not as hard as some make it to be.

              I would do it with desktop, others disagree. The time for me is way less than a web style app.

              This has been debated many times on this forum. Remember, you can always use the unlimited runtime an unlimited number of time. You can use your was one time and buy another for the next job.
              Dave Mason
              [email protected]
              Skype is dave.mason46

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                #8
                Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

                For me, the web method would be the preferred route.

                From the original post, it appears that this is to be installed on an internal, local network accessed by numerous internal users as opposed to single computer runt-times.

                Then all that is required is a single WAS, installed on a single machine on their network.

                The V11 Dev generates both desktop and web, so you already have that; it is not necessary for the client to also have it unless you want them to be able to muddle with your work!

                You develop, update and maintain the client's app from your A5 Dev on your machine and then simply publish the changes to their server where the WAS is located. Done. Too simple. Everybody with access to the app immediately has the updates :)

                Even at the "normal" list price of 499 for a single WAS licence, for a 10 user network (for example), that's pretty reasonable per user :)
                Cheers!
                Lyle Chamney
                http://www.2ninerniner2.com/
                Websites rebuilt with WordPress
                http://goodcheapfastwebsites.com/
                Complete, ready to install WordPress websites
                http://snifflevalve.com
                WordPress training and tutorials

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

                  I've spoken with sales at least 3 times and no one mentioned this approach. Granted, I told them I wasn't into the web or mobile but they should have mentioned it any how, simply because it acts like the desktop on an intranet system. To me, that is by far the best sales approach to anyone who is working just with the desktop. It's like having your cake and eating it too. They are missing the boat, BIG TIME!!! Not even Richard mentioned it in my communication with him.

                  Originally posted by 2ninerniner2 View Post
                  For me, the web method would be the preferred route.

                  From the original post, it appears that this is to be installed on an internal, local network accessed by numerous internal users as opposed to single computer runt-times.
                  That is correct.

                  Then all that is required is a single WAS, installed on a single machine on their network.
                  Shazam !

                  The V11 Dev generates both desktop and web, so you already have that; it is not necessary for the client to also have it unless you want them to be able to muddle with your work!
                  I think they already have it But I will password protect it. If someone, with all good intentions, got into it and tried to make changes, trying to figure out what was done when it burps will be extremely costly.

                  You develop, update and maintain the client's app from your A5 Dev on your machine and then simply publish the changes to their server where the WAS is located. Done. Too simple. Everybody with access to the app immediately has the updates :)
                  Man. how much sweeter can it get???

                  Even at the "normal" list price of 499 for a single WAS license, for a 10 user network (for example), that's pretty reasonable per user :)
                  Aside from the server, I believe there will be 5 or 6 users and that is a very reasonable price.
                  TYVM :) kenn

                  Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

                    Originally posted by forskare View Post
                    Aside from the server, I believe there will be 5 or 6 users and that is a very reasonable price.
                    The server licence (499 list) is all they need, regardless of the number of users. Remember, they are accessing the app via their browser and the WAS licence is for UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS. This will definitely come in handy when they decide to have their external users (customers) have access to the app. All they (you?) will have to do is make their WAS server "visible from the street", either normally (HTTP://) or preferred, HTTPS://
                    Cheers!
                    Lyle Chamney
                    http://www.2ninerniner2.com/
                    Websites rebuilt with WordPress
                    http://goodcheapfastwebsites.com/
                    Complete, ready to install WordPress websites
                    http://snifflevalve.com
                    WordPress training and tutorials

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

                      Originally posted by 2ninerniner2 View Post
                      The server licence (499 list) is all they need, regardless of the number of users. Remember, they are accessing the app via their browser and the WAS license is for UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS. This will definitely come in handy when they decide to have their external users (customers) have access to the app. All they (you?) will have to do is make their WAS server "visible from the street", either normally (HTTP://) or preferred, HTTPS://
                      Lyle,

                      You and the others have been most helpful. In fact, by using this approach, another subscription is well worth it.
                      TYVM :) kenn

                      Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

                        In my opinion, the desktop app is a good choice under the following circumstances:
                        They will never add another location
                        They are not interested in mobile devices
                        The boss will never want to log in to check things while on vacation in Florida
                        The salesman will never have to check inventory while at a customer location
                        A key employee will never have to log in from home
                        They will never want to enter inventory or quality data while walking around the warehouse
                        They are happy to pay to write the app again if they do decide to go web in the future.
                        Pat Bremkamp
                        MindKicks Consulting

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

                          Originally posted by Pat Bremkamp View Post
                          They are happy to pay to write the app again if they do decide to go web in the future.
                          Why should the app have to be written again if they go web? It's already a web app, is it not?
                          TYVM :) kenn

                          Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

                            Originally posted by forskare View Post
                            Why should the app have to be written again if they go web? It's already a web app, is it not?
                            Ken, he's talking about a desktop app:
                            the desktop app is a good choice under the following circumstances:
                            Peter
                            AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

                            [email protected]
                            https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Web Server - How Useful is It?

                              I'm curious about something related to this. Say they do want to add web access for customers or sales people later--can you use something like AlwaysUp to run multiple instances of the app so that one still runs on the intranet (i.e. without having to be concerned with internet access) and another serves the internet world (when internet connectivity is available)?

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