Ideas to better setup a small non-profit
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Current setup:
location 1: single user + workstation + server
location 2: 5 users, assorted laptops & desktops
They're currently on a domain and VPN'ing from 2 back to 1. This sucks for a myriad of reasons and we're thinking to kill the domain (was setup for ~30 users, since has split off). We use gotoassist for remote management and it works ok. We were pondering a cloud storage setup to kill off the server and print directly to IP. Both locations have a fortigate.
What tips / ideas / stuff would you do or suggest?
**EDIT: This was wishy washy. Here's our real problem:
Due to Canadian rules, health data can't be stored in a cloud in another country. Data has to STAY in Canada (this means transit as well). Super frustrating to do on the cheap. Pertino + colo server was suggested by @coliver which was a great idea - anyone got another?**
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What is running on the server? Are there any applications that they specifically use that requires a local install? Have you looked at Office 365 with Sharepoint Online as a document repository and email?
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@coliver nothing essentially. DHCP will move to the fortigate, file storage to cloud (which has Canada rule related crap but I mention it only to vent my spleen at the rules before having to follow them), printers will go directly to IP
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@MattSpeller said:
@coliver nothing essentially. DHCP will move to the fortigate, file storage to cloud (which has Canada rule related crap but I mention it only to vent my spleen at the rules before having to follow them), printers will go directly to IP
Ah, well then that is probably what I would end up doing. Providing they have a decent connection.
You could also look at Pertino and a collocated server if they can't get hosting inside Canada. Although not sure if that would break any laws/rules either not sure if Pertino has a Canadian node
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@coliver now THAT is an interesting idea, thank you!
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I was thinking Colo too, but if you don't NEED the server, ditch it. With that few of machines, just have them get updates from MS directly (or buy something like inTune to mange them) and save the files to the cloud somewhere.
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@Dashrender said:
I was thinking Colo too, but if you don't NEED the server, ditch it. With that few of machines, just have them get updates from MS directly (or buy something like inTune to mange them) and save the files to the cloud somewhere.
Right this is really good advice. I just don't know Canadian hosting... the only experience with it I have is C@C.
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@coliver yeah C@C is hopefully not a representative sample
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@MattSpeller said:
@coliver nothing essentially. DHCP will move to the fortigate, file storage to cloud (which has Canada rule related crap but I mention it only to vent my spleen at the rules before having to follow them), printers will go directly to IP
I'd kill off the server then, just getting in the way it sounds like.
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@coliver said:
You could also look at Pertino and a collocated server if they can't get hosting inside Canada. Although not sure if that would break any laws/rules either not sure if Pertino has a Canadian node
It does but I don't believe that they can guarantee it.
Hosting definitely exists inside Canada, don't you know CloudatCost?
I kid, I kid.
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@scottalanmiller Exactly the plan, but they don't have money to pay for much of a cloud. I will investigate O365 to see if we can get a killer deal from techsoup.
Turns out they also have a minor access DB, which makes me sad. Should be a good test of a cloud though.
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@MattSpeller said:
@scottalanmiller Exactly the plan, but they don't have money to pay for much of a cloud. I will investigate O365 to see if we can get a killer deal from techsoup.
Turns out they also have a minor access DB, which makes me sad. Should be a good test of a cloud though.
O365 can host access databases.
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@coliver well that was easy then
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Office 365 E1 is completely free for non profits. Skip tech soup and go direct.
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The article is mis-leading
"Office 365, one of the leading solutions for bringing your back office to the cloud, is now available at a discount for nonprofits and charities in Canada."Errr, most of the plans are in fact free.
http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/office365-for-nonprofits/ -
@Breffni-Potter said:
The article is mis-leading
"Office 365, one of the leading solutions for bringing your back office to the cloud, is now available at a discount for nonprofits and charities in Canada."Errr, most of the plans are in fact free.
http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/office365-for-nonprofits/Free is just the ultimate level of discount
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@Breffni-Potter said:
The article is mis-leading
"Office 365, one of the leading solutions for bringing your back office to the cloud, is now available at a discount for nonprofits and charities in Canada."Errr, most of the plans are in fact free.
http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/office365-for-nonprofits/Good to know.
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@Breffni-Potter said:
Office 365 E1 is completely free for non profits. Skip tech soup and go direct.
Or if you weren't in Canada, go through NTG. We handle lots of non-profits free accounts too.
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@coliver said:
@MattSpeller said:
@scottalanmiller Exactly the plan, but they don't have money to pay for much of a cloud. I will investigate O365 to see if we can get a killer deal from techsoup.
Turns out they also have a minor access DB, which makes me sad. Should be a good test of a cloud though.
O365 can host access databases.
Yup, it puts the backend on SQL Server and the frontend on Sharepoint.
