Yes. A laptop or tablet with a wireless card will connect you live to the office system, so you can access SmartTrade Office (rather than SmartTrade Mobile® that runs on PDAs). With the high speed 3G data connections now available, it's pretty much the same as working on a PC in the office. A number of SmartTrade users are finding that using a laptop in this manner allows them to spend more time in the field without losing control of the business.
Another approach that some SmartTrade users have tried with success is to connect to the office via the internet from WiFi (802.11) “hot spots”.
Advantages of using a laptop in the field are:
- More convenient screen size.
- You can use the full functionality of SmartTrade Office.
- You can access other programs such as Outlook for appointments and email or your accounting package.
- Data resides on the server in the office (the laptop is a terminal) and will not be lost if the laptop fails or is stolen.
Disadvantages of using a laptop in the field are:
- Bulk
- If you can’t get a connection then you can’t continue to use SmartTrade
- Takes longer to start-up when turned on.
You will need an internet connection with adequate band width for the number of users accessing remotely at any time, and a fixed IP address.
You will also need terminal services access for the number of users accessing remotely at any time. Windows XP Pro allows a single terminal services session, but doesn't allow more than one user to connect remotely at the same time.
To have more that one user connect remotely at the same time, you will need either additional terminal services licences or a 3rd party remote desktop connection application, such as www.xpunlimited.com. 3rd party applications may not work if your host PC or server uses Windows Vista. Talk to us or your IT Provider about this.