Need advice on choice of applications

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OSIRIS - 15 May 2008 05:11 GMT

I run a computer service company. My technicians are are well versed
in the Microsoft and Linux worlds but not the Mac world, so I need
advice for me to help a new client.

Let me start by stating that I am not an anti-mac bigot. I just run a
company that provides service to small to medium businesses and, so
far, there has been no customer demand for Mac support. Due to this
we have no expertise in Macs (well, actually, one tech says he's
networked some Macs together -- once -- a while back) From what I
hear this is not too difficult with Macs, so I told him not to brag
<grin>. At one point the client suggested they'd being willing to
dump their Macs and switch to Windows, but I told him we'd try to find
Mac based solutions first so they could continue with the platform
they already know.

Anyway: Like I said, I have a new client. They are a land speculating
and property development company. The three principals of the company
all use Mac laptops running OSX (sorry, I don't know what version).
They tell me they are looking to accomplish sveral things:

*    Central storage. I suggested NAS or a File Server (options
being XServe, Linux, Windows)

*    Remote access so they can access the central data from home or
when they're on the road and also from a remote office they have set
up.

*    A CRM/Sales Automation software package

*    Microsoft Project. I know MS hasn't ported this to Macs, so
I'm looking for an equivalent that will work on OSX

*    Some sort of shared calendar or multiperson scheduling system
(possibly included in one of the above items)

Note: They have Microsoft Office already, if that helps

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Alan Baker - 15 May 2008 05:17 GMT

> I run a computer service company. My technicians are are well versed
> in the Microsoft and Linux worlds but not the Mac world, so I need
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> * Central storage. I suggested NAS or a File Server (options
> being XServe, Linux, Windows)

Mac OS X Server 10.5. It doesn't necessarily have to be running on an
Xserve.

> * Remote access so they can access the central data from home or
> when they're on the road and also from a remote office they have set
> up.

Mac OS X Server includes a VPN server.

> * A CRM/Sales Automation software package

Don't know anything in this area. Sorry.

> * Microsoft Project. I know MS hasn't ported this to Macs, so
> I'm looking for an equivalent that will work on OSX

Not sure of all of what MS Project will do, but try "FastTrack Schedule"

<http://www.aecsoft.com/products/fasttrack/>

> * Some sort of shared calendar or multiperson scheduling system
> (possibly included in one of the above items)

Mac OS X Server includes a CalDAV server.

> Note: They have Microsoft Office already, if that helps

It might, depending on the version. Entourage has at least some support
for LDAP.

Signature

Alan Baker
Vancouver, British Columbia
"If you raise the ceiling four feet, move the fireplace from that wall
to that wall, you'll still only get the full stereophonic effect if you
sit in the bottom of that cupboard."

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OSIRIS - 15 May 2008 17:42 GMT

>> They tell me they are looking to accomplish sveral things:
>>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>Mac OS X Server 10.5. It doesn't necessarily have to be running on an
>Xserve.

OH! The local Apple retail store told me that Apples server solution
was Xserve and it was a hardware/software combination and that Apple
server software would not run on regular Intel hardware. Have I been
misinformed (or confusingly informed)? How is Mac OS X Server 10.5
different from Xserve? Could a tech who is good at doing Windows and
Linux servers be reasonably successful setting it up?

>> * Microsoft Project. I know MS hasn't ported this to Macs, so
>> I'm looking for an equivalent that will work on OSX
>
>Not sure of all of what MS Project will do, but try "FastTrack Schedule"
>
><http://www.aecsoft.com/products/fasttrack/>

Thanks for that lead. I'll check it out.

>> * Some sort of shared calendar or multiperson scheduling system
>> (possibly included in one of the above items)
>
>Mac OS X Server includes a CalDAV server.

I've never worked on that type of application, but it sounds like it
may be just what they need. Remote access to their oofice from
anywhere to access their own CalDAV app.

Reply to this Message

Alan Baker - 15 May 2008 17:51 GMT

> >> They tell me they are looking to accomplish sveral things:
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> different from Xserve? Could a tech who is good at doing Windows and
> Linux servers be reasonably successful setting it up?

You appear to have been misinformed:

<http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/specs.html>

"System Requirements
Mac server or desktop computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4
(867MHz or faster) processor; 1GB of physical RAM; 20GB of available
disk space."

Mac OS X Server is the operating system. An Xserve is a 1U, rack-mount
machine that comes with Mac OS X Server pre-installed.

And a Windows or Linux tech could probably set it up.

>
> >> * Microsoft Project. I know MS hasn't ported this to Macs, so
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
>

Actually, it would be remote access via VPN to access the data on the
server (via CalDAV) using whatever CalDAV calendaring program they have
on their own system. Here's a list of software compatible with the
iCalendar (not an Apple, but an IETF) standard:

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_applications_with_iCalendar_support

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Tim Adams - 15 May 2008 23:29 GMT

> > >> They tell me they are looking to accomplish sveral things:
> > >>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> (867MHz or faster) processor; 1GB of physical RAM; 20GB of available
> disk space."

Alan - he wrote "regular Intel hardware" which it will NOT run on, unless it was
made by Apple. :-)

> Mac OS X Server is the operating system. An Xserve is a 1U, rack-mount
> machine that comes with Mac OS X Server pre-installed.
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_applications_with_iCalendar_support

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you are flamed because you are a hideous troll and keep disrupting
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Alan Baker - 15 May 2008 23:35 GMT

In article
<teadams$2$0$0$3-DAA31C.18291815052008@70-3-168-216.area5.spcsdns.net>,

> > > >> They tell me they are looking to accomplish sveral things:
> > > >>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> was
> made by Apple. :-)

I realize that. I was just pointing out that an Xserve was not necessary.

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OSIRIS - 16 May 2008 04:13 GMT

>In article
><teadams$2$0$0$3-DAA31C.18291815052008@70-3-168-216.area5.spcsdns.net>,

[[[snip]]]

>> > > OH! The local Apple retail store told me that Apples server solution
>> > > was Xserve and it was a hardware/software combination and that Apple
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
>I realize that. I was just pointing out that an Xserve was not necessary.

Oops. Now I'm confused again. Do I understand correctly that the
hardware DOES HAVE TO BE from Apple? I can't used, as I said earlier,
"regular Intel hardware"?

Reply to this Message

Steve de Mena - 16 May 2008 05:14 GMT

>> In article
>> <teadams$2$0$0$3-DAA31C.18291815052008@70-3-168-216.area5.spcsdns.net>,
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> hardware DOES HAVE TO BE from Apple? I can't used, as I said earlier,
> "regular Intel hardware"?

It has to be Apple hardware but OS X Server will run on any current
Mac. I have it running on a Mac Mini.

Go with an XServe if you want it rack mountable with some other
headless goodies, otherwise a Mac Pro will do just fine.

Steve

Reply to this Message

Alan Baker - 16 May 2008 05:17 GMT

> >In article
> ><teadams$2$0$0$3-DAA31C.18291815052008@70-3-168-216.area5.spcsdns.net>,
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> hardware DOES HAVE TO BE from Apple? I can't used, as I said earlier,
> "regular Intel hardware"?

You have to use a Mac, yes.

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George Graves - 16 May 2008 05:34 GMT

>> In article
>> <teadams$2$0$0$3-DAA31C.18291815052008@70-3-168-216.area5.spcsdns.net>,
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> hardware DOES HAVE TO BE from Apple? I can't used, as I said earlier,
> "regular Intel hardware"?

For the second time. OSX - any OSX client or server edition, only installs
and runs on Apple Macintosh hardware.

Reply to this Message

George Graves - 15 May 2008 22:30 GMT

>>> They tell me they are looking to accomplish sveral things:
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> different from Xserve? Could a tech who is good at doing Windows and
> Linux servers be reasonably successful setting it up?

It won't run on regular Intel hardware, it will, however, run on regular
Macs. You do not need to buy XServe hardware. The retail store clerk should
have told you that.

>
>>> * Microsoft Project. I know MS hasn't ported this to Macs, so
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> may be just what they need. Remote access to their oofice from
> anywhere to access their own CalDAV app.

Reply to this Message

Timberwoof - 15 May 2008 05:23 GMT

> I run a computer service company. My technicians are are well versed
> in the Microsoft and Linux worlds but not the Mac world, so I need
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> we have no expertise in Macs (well, actually, one tech says he's
> networked some Macs together -- once -- a while back)

Don't let OS X networking scare you. It's the same as Linux, with a
better UI.

> From what I
> hear this is not too difficult with Macs, so I told him not to brag
> <grin>.

Heh!

> At one point the client suggested they'd being willing to
> dump their Macs and switch to Windows, but I told him we'd try to find
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> * Central storage. I suggested NAS or a File Server (options
> being XServe, Linux, Windows)

Xserve will provide this through AppleShare and Samba (compatible with
Windows SMB shares). Xserve uses common open-software solutions your
Linux guy probably already knows.

> * Remote access so they can access the central data from home or
> when they're on the road and also from a remote office they have set
> up.

Xserve will provide this through its IPsec VPN. You can also set up an
OpenVPN system: http://openvpn.net/ IMHO this is easier than ipSec. It
is nicely cross-platform. It's not part of the Xserve suite, but it runs
on OS X.

> * A CRM/Sales Automation software package
>
> * Microsoft Project. I know MS hasn't ported this to Macs, so
> I'm looking for an equivalent that will work on OSX

FastTrack Schedule 9 is a better scheduling application and is
cross-platform: it supports Windows and OS X.

> * Some sort of shared calendar or multiperson scheduling system
> (possibly included in one of the above items)

iCal lets you publish calendars, but I don't think it integrates with
FastTrack.

> Note: They have Microsoft Office already, if that helps

My recommendation, on general principles, would be to set up a OS X or
Linux-based system. That way it can provide services in a
platform-agnostic way. New employees won't be restricted to any
particular system.

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Timberwoof <me at timberwoof dot com> http://www.timberwoof.com
"When you post sewage, don't blame others for
emptying chamber pots in your direction." ‹Chris L.

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OSIRIS - 15 May 2008 17:54 GMT

>> Let me start by stating that I am not an anti-mac bigot. I just run a
>> company that provides service to small to medium businesses and, so
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>Don't let OS X networking scare you. It's the same as Linux, with a
>better UI.

I'm glad to hear that. Thanks.

>> From what I >> hear this is not too difficult with Macs, so I told him not to brag
>> <grin>.
>
>Heh!

>> * Central storage. I suggested NAS or a File Server (options
>> being XServe, Linux, Windows)
>
>Xserve will provide this through AppleShare and Samba (compatible with
>Windows SMB shares). Xserve uses common open-software solutions your
>Linux guy probably already knows.

>> * Remote access so they can access the central data from home or
>> when they're on the road and also from a remote office they have set
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>is nicely cross-platform. It's not part of the Xserve suite, but it runs
>on OS X.

See my reply to the other answer I got. "Xserve Suite": I'm confused
with the terminology. Is Xserve the hardware or the software? If
software, how does it differ from "OS X Server 10.5"?

>> * Microsoft Project. I know MS hasn't ported this to Macs, so
>> I'm looking for an equivalent that will work on OSX
>
>FastTrack Schedule 9 is a better scheduling application and is
>cross-platform: it supports Windows and OS X.

That's the second vote for that one. I'm definately going to check it
out. Thanks.

>> * Some sort of shared calendar or multiperson scheduling system
>> (possibly included in one of the above items)
>
>iCal lets you publish calendars, but I don't think it integrates with
>FastTrack.

The other poster (Alan Baker) also said that the Apple server supports
CalDAV. If all else fails they could always use Google Calendars, so
I think the calendar thing won;t be a problem. Thanks.

>> Note: They have Microsoft Office already, if that helps
>
>My recommendation, on general principles, would be to set up a OS X or
>Linux-based system. That way it can provide services in a
>platform-agnostic way. New employees won't be restricted to any
>particular system.

I'll be reviewing all the answers I get with my Linux guy. I'm just
the old, grey haired fart that runs the service company. The younger,
better looking guys will do the work, so I have to ask them ;-)
I only know enough to (maybe) ask the right questions. Thanks for
your input.

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weedhopper - 15 May 2008 21:45 GMT

>I run a computer service company. My technicians are are well versed
> in the Microsoft and Linux worlds but not the Mac world, so I need
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Note: They have Microsoft Office already, if that helps

I guess you don't have enough headaches running your enterprise.

No one in the computer business, welcomes these machines. They seem to have
a myriad of strange recurring, unfixable problems. But servicing Macs will
bring in a cliental that you can overcharge at will, presupposing you can
even fix their machines. But, Steve Jobs bends them over, and they love it.

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Mac Forum / General / General / May 2008

Need advice on choice of applications