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Steps for Remote-PC Access: |
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Cloud-Based Consignment-Resale Software
For many years, from the inception actually, 'software' was a commodity, sold to individuals and businesses, delivered on a disk with ownership rights leaving owners of the copy of the software to do with it as they pleased. The understanding between software company and software user was that training and support had not been priced in and end users were to avail themselves of user's guides and other sources for assistance.
Recently software developers came up with the bright (self serving) idea of 'software as a service' (SaaS) - software no longer a tangible 'thing' owned by store owners but a never-ending 'service' requiring (wait for it) a never-ending payment. How wonderful for software companies!
They attempt to offset the tremendous cost by hyping "Run your business from anywhere!" when in fact that can be accomplished in different free ways.
In case the risk and the enormity of cost might go unnoticed at first, lets out the price-entrapment plot laid out for those who wander into this snare:
Thrifty Penny buys a one-off software for her business - $300 to $600 depending upon features needed and she's done (with the exception of some occasional need for assistance with Windows, networks, computers, printers and the software she purchased). Hardly a never-ending saga of cash outlay for 'software'...
Twin sister SpendThrift Penny buys into the 'web-based mobility cool fad' and sets off on a multi-year path of siphoning off her profits to the developer's bank account. If she withstands the assault for 10 years, she will have paid $100 (or more) per month for 120 months or $12,000 - just for the use of software!
Ways to Work Remotely for Free
- Install software on a laptop and take the laptop with you - on the road, to an estate sale, an auction, flea/farmers market, antique mall, vacation - anywhere - and save $100 per month (or more) that would have been spent on 'work-from-anywhere!' web-based software.
- Install software on a desktop (or laptop) at the shop and use any of the free remote-PC programs (Logmein, GotomyPC, Team Viewer, AAMMYY) to access the shop computer. Everything that can be done on the shop computer can be done remotely (with perhaps the exception of printing, which could be done at a later time if needed).
- Install the software or two computers - at the shop and at home, for example, and port the software database back and forth. A common way of porting is to email the database to an email address that can be accessed from both locations.
Undisclosed Risks in the Cloud
Most shop owners wouldn't opt for web-based software if the risks of doing so were fully disclosed prior to purchase. Here's what SpendThrift Penny faces:
- She's totally out of control. Her business (software and data) literally reside on a 'server' (computer) controlled by a person or people and she knows absolutely nothing about the computer or the people who control it.
- Who is the software developer? 'Time in business' may not be so important as future longevity. Every month people at the other end have to show up and make themselves available and if they don't, her business comes to a screeching halt. Could have been avoided with a one-off software program installed on her computer under her control.
- What do we know about the hosting computer? Every one of them claims 99.9% 'up time' and 'state-of-the-art' protection from the bad guys but really, if the bad guys can hack the US government and major corporations with far more sophisticated security measures, what assurance does lip service really deliver?
- Her business is dependent upon:
- Her Internet connection
- The Internet in general
- The controller's Internet connection
- Any guarantees or warranties about dependability are totally worthless. In reality what would she do if her business suffered losses because these risks of dependency came home to roost? Sue? Assurances of dependability are hollow are the very least. Backed by words alone...
- Liability: She is the one after all making the decision to place her clients' information 'out there on the web' with total oblivion toward data breaches and hacking. Now offended customers probably won't sue but word of mouth could easily destroy her business. 'What if' she warned her customers of her intent to 'publicize' their personal information? She does have a legal obligation to do so, so does she just skip this little detail to avoid warding off paying customers?
- Does she have ownership of and access to her data? If one day she decides that the burden of 'software as a service' has become too much, will the person who is in control and possession of her data relinquish it to her? Sometimes not. Get in writing up front that the data belongs to the shop owner and is made readily available without having to request it.
Avoid that issue and the many others by sterring clear of web-based software. (In some U.S. jurisdictions pawn shops are not allowed to use Internet software because of the known risks.)
Summary
Thrifty Penny bought a software program that belongs to her and is installed on a computer she controls. She's taken adequate measures to protect herself from hacking, viruses, malware, trojans, worms and the like with a good anti-virus program (like ESET). She also keeps her computer disconnected from the Internet when not needing to be online and she unplugs her computer every night when closing to avoid damages from storms and electrical surges (which are quite common).
Just guessing that Thrifty Penny sleeps more soundly...
Get support via email, phone and remote PC assistance ($20/15 minutes) from:
- BCSS: Joy Archer (enJoy Consigning Services, 972-898-7921 (NY), help@helppro.us)
Special Note: It is never necessary to pay $100/hour and more for computer help, especially remotely! Avoid online scams charging high prices for help and 'emergency rates' before and after hours, on weekends and on holidays.