Workgroup Messaging?

Displaying my ignorance asks: "We have a small workgroup running on Windows XP Professional; we do not have a domain server. We use Peachtree accounting software which is supposedly multi-user. Unfortunately, multi-user does not translate into allowing two people to be in the same module (i.e., accounts receivable) at the same time. Because the users are in different buildings they often crash Peachtree because they don't know that someone else is already in that module. These crashes result in the loss of data since the last backup. I am therefore trying to locate software, compatible with Windows XP, which would allow a user to create pop-up messages for display on the remote screens. It needs to be a pop-up, not just a flag in the system tray; ideally it would be a flashing neon sign which fills most of the screen [grin]. Because we do not have SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) Messenger appears not to be a solution. Any suggestions?"

Comments

Jabber

[ptaff]

You could easily run a jabber client, there are free (as in beer) versions and the main server is running inside your network, so no unfortunate export of precious information.

VMware + VNC

[hey!]

Create a virtual machine for each module, e.g.

(1) AR.mygroup.mydomain.com

(2) AP.mygroup.mydomain.com

(3) GL.mygroup.mydomain.com

Install the appropriate modules and instruct users to click on the icon that will launch to that virtual machine. Watch for a few seconds, and if somebody's entering a transaction, try back later.

This should work, but it is relatively speaking a cheapskate solution.

You probably could do something with Windows Terminal Services and license management that would work more slickly, but I haven't worked much with it so I can't tell you how well they'd work. Probably better than the above solution.

Try Jabber

[Gadzinka]

I mean it. It's free, it's interoperable and it even allows you to access your buddies on different IM networks (like aim, msn, icq etc).

Go to Jabber Software Foundation and look for server that will work on your system. There are free servers for POSIX systems and I'm sure that there are at least several servers for Windows. As for clients, there are dozens clients for every major OS, and most of them have the feature to automatically popup messages on the screen. I'd suggest Psi and Miranda.

Robert

Seek a Cure

[Michael.Forman]

You're treating the symptom not the disease. What you need is to replace your accounting software (and maybe even your OS) with something that meets your business's requirements.

Worried about the cost of new software are you? How much money is your company hemorraging because your using a single-user accounting program that deletes all of your data? How much more will it lose when you try to patch it up with an IM program?

Michael.

When you can afford it, get better software

[$exyNerdie]

We use Peachtree accounting software which is supposedly multi-user. Unfortunately, multi-user does not translate into allowing two people to be in the same module (i.e., accounts receivable) at the same time. Because the users are in different buildings they often crash Peachtree because they don't know that someone else is already in that module. These crashes result in the loss of data since the last backup.

It seems that you are trying an ad-hoc solution instead of looking at the root cause of problem which seems to be the buggy Peachtree accounting software (or maybe their sales folk claimed it to be multi-user while developers didn't get to finish multi-user module properly). When you get your messaging thing working, you might want to call the Peachtree accounting software and bug them until they take care of your problem or if your organization can afford it, get a better package that meets the needs of your organization.

You can either hire a tow truck to pull your car with broken engine (you still sit in the car) for your commute or you can get a car that works !!

Re:net send?

[Mod Me God]

OMG!

I just have to comment that if two people are using a single module the whole system will crash, are you crazy for using this software?!?!?!

Seriously, not wanting to sound too crazy, this software is very crazy! It would be easy to build in some kind of user-check module into the software (if there is now no present method, building in a lookup log is no effort at all), to check what users are using what module and deny access if it is in use, or to just allow the software multi-access (this may require some more hard work given the software sounds so flawed). Using some kind of lookup-user module would take a progammer less than a day to create, it is seriously easy business.

I suggest you draft a sternly worded letter to your software providers asking for this.

This however is merely a workaround. I have never heard of such amateur accounting software on public market.

Truely astounded.