A Case Study of How Virtualization Can Save Your Business Money

What is a virtual machine and how is it useful to my business?

A virtual machine is simply an instance of one computer running on the hardware of another. One computer can host many virtual machines with different operating systems. i.e. Windows Vista can have Window XP, Linux and Mac virtual machines running all at one time on one computer.

Scenario:

• One database application that requires a Windows Server for multiple users or can be installed as stand alone.
• One traveling manager with a laptop who wants to offload some of the data entry work to a new employee.
• One traveling employee with a laptop who needs to help the manager enter data.
• Another employee who works on a 64 bit Vista desktop computer.

Problems:

• The existing desktop is 64 bit Vista and it is not compatible with the database application.
• The Vista desktop user cannot install Efax because the software is not currently compatible with 64 bit.
• The Vista desktop cannot install the HP scanning software because the software suite is not currently compatible with 64 bit.
• The manager and the employee are not usually in the office at the same time.
• A new server will cost at least $1000 plus the cost of the install.
  

Solution:

• Install a virtual machine on the existing Vista 64 bit desktop using an XP Home license.
• Install the database application in standalone on the virtual machine.
• Install remote management software on the existing Vista 64 bit desktop so the manager and employee can access the virtual machine from anywhere.
• Install Efax and the HP scanning software on the virtual machine because they are both compatible with XP Home.

Draw Backs:

• Only one user can be in the virtual machine at one time.
• The Vista desktop employee has to make sure that they don’t interfere with the virtual machine.

Conclusions:

• The manager and the new employee can now both access the database application from anywhere.
• A temporary solution for the company has been created. The manager and new employee can work in this capacity until the budget has been met to purchase a dedicated server.
• The Vista desktop user can now use Efax and scan files with the HP printer/scanner until 64 bit drivers have been written.

Virtual machines are very useful tools which provide a small business the flexibility to solve problems without the need to purchase additional hardware.

Technology is changing and growing every day. If you have problems give us a call. There may be an inexpensive solution just like this one that your company needs today.

Adam Bell owner of Sublime Computer Services
We Make Your Technology Work

615.942.0850
www.sublimecomp.com
adam@sublimecomp.com

How to Save Time with Google Docs Forms

Google Apps has a number of useful tools. While I don’t feel that Google Docs is ready to be the replacement for Microsoft Office at this time it has a number of great tools. Google Docs is a making great stride to replace the need to have Microsoft Office installed on ones computer. The tool that I am going to discuss in this Blog is Google Docs Forms.

Google Docs Forms allows you to quickly create, publish and receive data. A couple of practical uses are timesheets and surveys. Google Docs Forms does not require one to understand how to program any HTML or database repository. A proficient programmer can quickly punch out the code or reuse old code and make a form very quickly. With Google Forms a person without programming skills can also quickly create public or private online forms without the need to be proficient in web programming.

To create your own form simply go to Google Documents > New > Form.

Simply fill out the information that they wish to gather. You can play around with the different fields and form types that are available. Once you have created your form you have the ability to publish and email people to come visit your form. Once someone has filled out your form you can view the data in a Google Docs Spreadsheet or you can view a summary by going to form > show summary. One of my favorite features is the background color rules in the spreadsheet you can select a column and choose that if it has specific text to highlight that data in a specific color. As data is being entered it is automatically highlighted based on your rules.

As you work with Google Docs Forms you will find many uses for this tool. I personally use it for surveys and as an online Timesheet. I hope that you find it as useful as I do. The other great thing about Google Apps is that it is free. You don’t have to get the paid for version unless you are seeking the advanced features.

Adam Bell
Sublime Computer Services
We make your technology work

615-942-0850
www.sublimecomp.com
adam@sublimecomp.com