awesome23

I am doing some research for a friends business. My friend owns a medical billing related business and will be using a custom built software package to handle all client medical billing and employee data. The PC based software uses a built in runtime version of MS Access. The software uses just three 20mb Access DBs and imports the timesheet data as .XLS/.CSV files and exports .DAT files for medical billing.

The demo I saw of the software was used on a Windows Server 2003 setup where the software was accessed by Remote Desktop. So we know he could just rent a fully managed dedicated Windows Server 2003 to run the software (Quickbooks, Access based medical claim software, MS Office).

The data stored in the DBs is obviously very senstive employee records and client records, so security is a concern and must be HIPAA compliant.

The system would be used by 1 to 3 users, only once or twice a week, very light use.

I am new to windwos servers, so forgive my n00bness.

I am wondering what all our options are...

1. Is it possible to just place the 3 Access DBs on a Windows web host or Windows VPS with SSL server and have local installs of the program connect to the DBs remotely? Would this be secure?

2. If we were to go with a fully managed dedicated server from a known server provider, would this be secure enough for this Remote Desktop use?

3. Would just setting up Windows Server 2003 on a dedicated PC in the companys small office on a DSL or Comcast line be a viable secure option?

One guy I talked to at a server provider said a Cisco firewall would be most secure, however that was expensive at $150 a month extra.

Is a windows server VPN secure/encrypted for this type of use?

The one idea I had was setup a windows server in the office and not use a domain (just a static IP) and not run any web/email services to it and have it behind a old p3 machihe with linux firewall setup. Would this setup be a secure low cost solution?

Thanks!

XtabbedoutX

I don't believe you really need a server for this. From what you have described the programs would run on a XP Workstation just fine. Is there any reason that you want to host this from a server?

The most secure and cheapest way to go would be a stand alone system behind a firewall.

awesome23

We have an XP machine at the office. How would we remotely access the programs and files? How many people at a time could access it? 1? 2-3 concurrent users would be nice but not required as we would seriously only use it an hour or 2 a week.

What type of firewall setup would we need?

Would a DSL or Cable line with static IP be fast enough for this use?

XtabbedoutX

You can use a VPN and RDC ( Remote Desktop Connection) to connect to that computer remotely. You can only have 1 user logged in at a time to the machine for PROGRAM USE.

You can use the machine as a file server. Multiple users can access DIFFERENT files on the XP Machine concurrently.

A Basic Cable or DSL connection would be more than sufficient for your needs.


I am still not sure what all you are looking to accomplish so please let me know what other answers you are looking for.

c_owl

hi you can only connect a maximum 1 of 10 users to xp pro at any one time