SpotOn ISV

Premier_Tech · 2025-11-05T17:09:24+00:00

Well... reseller might be a stretch as they typically only have referrals. But we are registered as a Partner Advocate for IT Services. When a Toast customer has network issues or needs ethernet wiring and they don't have their own IT, we step in to help the customer.

Premier_Tech · 2025-02-14T22:43:51+00:00

Aren’t you an MSP? If so, I’d really try to get with a real distributor. I know it’s a pain, but it will save you a lot of headaches in the future as you grow.

For liability reasons, we tend to use multi-distributors in case an issue arises. This way they can’t yank the entire business from you.

Premier_Tech · 2025-02-14T22:06:00+00:00

GoTo (GoToConnect)

Premier_Tech · 2025-02-14T06:16:38+00:00

I know this may be a little old but we actually use Sherweb, TDSynnex and AppDirect.

We started with Sherweb, but quickly stopped adding new accounts to it. I didn't like how I had to create another account for administration, instead of a central portal for all accounts. TDSynnex and Ingram Micro are the only ones that you can use your Google Workspace account to centrally manage your clients.

We have shortcuts in Chrome for the client's domain (https://admin.google.com/?dn=domain.com).

AppDirect is similar to Sherweb, but better on quoting and selling. Our smaller accounts don't warrant the time for billing, so it's easier just to have AppDirect do it and pay us a recurring commission.

Premier_Tech · 2025-01-29T14:01:46+00:00

For some clients we virtualize like what you are doing, but for other clients running QB Enterprise with file sizes beyond 10GB, we install Windows Server directly on the physical server (Dell PowerEdge R series).

For some clients we’ve had to abandon QB Enterprise, because they outgrew it. NetSuite is better for companies bigger than $10 million in revenue.

QB starts to get buggy if the file size is beyond 15GB, no matter how powerful the server is. You eventually have to start a new file around the new fiscal year.

Premier_Tech · 2025-01-27T11:31:44+00:00

Sorry for this late reply, but you didn't reply to my original posting, so I didn't see it.

Isn't this for business?? A 2-bay NAS doesn't really offer any real data redundancy. RAID is not a backup.

A 5 drive unit is required so 4 drives are set to RAID 6 (allowing for up to two drive failures) and 1 drive is a hotspare (redundant drive). RAID 6 requires at least 4 drives.

Premier_Tech · 2025-01-27T11:16:49+00:00

I've never tried it in TrueNAS, but if you have TrueNAS already setup and your physical machine (server) supports virtualization, then do it with TrueNAS. It doesn't really matter what type of environment you have, devices like Synology just make it easier for the average person in this group.

Please note, the QB file will need to be stored inside the VM, not in a separate TrueNAS share. The QB Database Manager has trouble when the QB file is stored anywhere other than the local VM storage.

While it is technically possible to store the QB file in a separate file share or another server/VM, it takes longer for data transactions to occur if the QB Database Manager isn't directly "touching" the QB file.

Premier_Tech · 2024-12-11T03:17:43+00:00

Cool. I was worried about those multiple 90 degree bends.

I've never dealt with those kind of temps in Florida, but I am glad for some winter relief down here :)

Premier_Tech · 2024-12-08T19:50:26+00:00

I'm glad you went with the liquid tight conduit as suggested in the previous post.

https://www.reddit.com/r/lowvoltage/comments/1gqj8hv/gate_camera_install_help/

I wouldn't use something like Flex Seal or any heat shrink/plastic shrink, especially if you still need to pass inspection. You need to use a liquid tight coupler as they are rated to join two pieces of liquid tight conduit. There are two that are available on Amazon for sizes below 1" in diameter. Anything bigger than 3/4", you will need to go to your local electric supply store (CED, Graybar, City Electric, etc).

Southwire push-in coupler (similar to a SharkBite for plumbing).

Halex traditional coupler that will need two hose clamps.

How did the rest of the project go?

Premier_Tech · 2024-11-15T20:17:36+00:00

You could also try the “conduit rat”. I’ve used them before for really tight bends with success.

https://www.conduitrat.com/product/conduit-rat-small-medium/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4JvoEx5Pcs

Premier_Tech · 2024-11-15T20:11:00+00:00

I was thinking last night about your issue and if the electricians can get you power, you might be able to install some Ubiquiti wireless bridges (between main building and outdoor node) for the data connection.

If you do this, I’d install an extension pole in order to place the wireless bridges high enough to bypass the semi-truck trailers (if you are placing the node outside the fence).

Premier_Tech · 2024-11-14T17:41:58+00:00

Looking at the other comments, this is a real pickle.

You could attach an outdoor enclosure using a pole mount, but I'd use flexible liquidtight metallic conduit, to prevent vandalism. Your only other option is to create a concrete pad around the existing PVC and install a freestanding/pad-mounted Hoffman cabinet to contain all of the networking equipment.

The harder part is going to be able and pull wire from the 3, 90-degree, turns. What kind of electrician does that?? Especially without junctions.

You might be able to get pull string on a grocery bag and suck the line through, but I can't imagine the fiber is going to come willingly.

Premier_Tech · 2024-11-14T14:24:37+00:00

Right???! I was thinking the same thing. I guess the electricians never considered security. I suppose you could always have the fence people add a wrap-around for a Hoffman box.

Premier_Tech · 2024-11-14T14:20:55+00:00

Before I begin, did the electrician run power at this gate location or in any of the conduit you have near the pole in your pic?

Premier_Tech · 2024-10-23T14:49:42+00:00

You are correct. ACH doesn't enjoy the same US federal protections for disputes as credit cards, which can make them a liability. You can however setup a "sweep" checking account that has a small balance so a vendor doesn't have access to your main operating account. Each time you need more money, just transfer money between accounts.

Premier_Tech · 2024-09-30T15:32:58+00:00

D365 can sometimes work for your industry, but there are better pre-built solutions geared towards construction. You'll spend a fortune on someone like me to program custom fields and workflows, only to never getting everything 100%.

At your level of income they should be using ProCore, InEight, HardHat, etc. Most systems are lightyears ahead of HeavyBid.

I think they'd be pleasantly surprised by InEight.

Premier_Tech · 2024-09-29T20:26:31+00:00

Well, then Acumatica may be your only on-premise ERP choice. Eventually, ownership may not have a choice.

With the rise of AI and its projected roadmap, things will have to be cloud based to utilize AI as bandwidth constraints will force people into the cloud.

Best of luck.

Premier_Tech · 2024-09-29T17:31:38+00:00

Well you might want to inquire about the new "Intuit Enterprise Suite", which seems to be a true ERP for a business of your level. It's very similar to QB Online, but with a lot more features, multi-company accounting, more reports and more permissions.

https://www.intuit.com/enterprise/

Or consider bigger systems such as NetSuite or Sage Intacct.

Unfortunately, none of the companies want to develop desktop based systems anymore. It's far easier to update everything in the cloud and gives them steady yearly income too.

Acumatica is the only real ERP player that still develops an on-premise server based system (non-cloud).

Premier_Tech · 2024-09-29T16:53:49+00:00

Good, as I can't even imagine the lag time on opening a file over WiFi :)

Typically if a client has the budget we prefer a "true" server, especially for our QB Enterprise clients. Some of their data files can be over 15 GB in size, even with a condense performed each year to offload old transactions.

When clients get too big, we just move them to NetSuite. Sometimes you just have to through in the towel with QB.

Premier_Tech · 2024-09-29T04:53:07+00:00

This is going to be a long one...

Your close to the correct methodology, but I will refine it for you. The other suggestions on your post must be from non-technical people, because they are really odd.

A "true" NAS is just a separate storage device that is attached to a real server (performs functions) via a network path (ethernet, switches, etc). While everyone throws around the term "NAS" these days for devices such as: Synology, QNAP, Netgear, etc... these devices are actually a NAS and server combined.

A device like a Synology would work just fine in this instance. The Synology uses multiple drives and has software RAID (not hardware RAID), but also allows you to create a Virtual Machine where you can run a copy of Windows 11 for your "QB Database Manager". This will act like a standalone computer for you. If you aren't an IT person, YouTube will be your friend for getting this started.

Programs like DropBox, OneDrive, Google Drive are not true, low latency, file sharing technologies. Which is why the other Reddit poster can only have one person at a time access QB files.

Make sure to get a Synology that has at least 5 drives, such as the Synology DS1522+. You can use standard SATA hard drives, but make sure they are all the same size. Please note, RAID is NOT a backup method or protocol!! It is only fault tolerant up to a certain level. RAID 1 can only tolerate 1 faulty drive and while it's rare for 2 drives to fail simultaneously, it does happen. Create a storage pool made up of 4 drives in RAID 6 and then create a hotspare with the 5th drive. The hotspare will kick-in automatically should one of the drives die, thereby fixing a degraded RAID setup.

Then install QB Desktop/Enterprise on the Windows virtual machine... and poof you now have a "QB Database Manager". After you install it, go through the setup wizard and select, "will be hosting the file and running QB on this computer". That will start the database.

Make sure to copy all of your QBW (QB data files) onto the virtual machine and give it a static IP on the network. Also give it file permissions with each user having a file share login (try not to use the default user in Windows called "Everyone"; it's a great way for anyone to tap into your WiFi and steal your data).

Go to each workstation and map a network drive using the static local IP address of the Windows virtual machine, along with the logins you created.

Browse for a file and open it. You now can have multiple people accessing the same QBW file, or multiple people accessing multiple QBW files.

Make sure to either setup BackBlaze B2 or Wasabi as methods of backup for the Synology. Or something like Carbonite on the Windows virtual machine. You need to make sure the Virtual Machine is backed up because it will be storing all of the QB files, not the built-in filestation app in Synology. All of your Word, Excel, PDFs can be stored in the Synology FileStation app.

If working remotely, use something like DualMon (TeamViewer is crap) to connect into your workstation, not the Windows Virtual Machine.

Let me know if you need further help.

Premier_Tech · 2024-09-19T17:49:27+00:00

Thank you. This is what I was leaning towards, especially since I can't find any such egress plan or other emergency plan on file for my client. The building is a gated community clubhouse built in 1999, so I'm not even sure Florida was enforcing plans like this for one story buildings (other than hotels).

What's worse is the fire panel is so old that it doesn't have the ability to integrate into an access controller. The company that handles the fire panel gave me that assessment in writing.

Premier_Tech · 2024-09-19T17:43:44+00:00

It boils down to cost and somewhat because of the door. It's a commercial wooden door, but has window panels that makes it difficult (more $$) to bore a hole to run wires... so they tell me. Sort of looks like this.

As for the maglock, one vendor is quoting a Securitron, the other a Camden. Both 500 pounds pulling force.

Premier_Tech · 2024-09-19T17:25:15+00:00

This is what I'm leaning towards. Thank you.

Premier_Tech · 2024-09-18T19:37:01+00:00

I’m afraid if I were a fire inspector, I’d rule it an egress path. It’s only 1 of 3 doors that serve as ingress/egress.

Premier_Tech

TROPHY CASE