Join us in the "cloud"
Conventional wisdom holds that if you want web access to your application, you must invest in expensive browser-based software and a hefty monthly fee. Not true! As we say out here in the Heartland, if all you want is an occasional gallon of milk, you don't need to buy the cow and the barn. There are easier ways.
Filpac Online is designed for the political organization in need of web access to their application but can find better uses for the $400 monthly fees charged by vendors with browser-based software. Our cost is straightforward: $850 for the entire first year; that includes three log-in accounts and no monthly fees. The second-year annual fee is about $400. You can purchase additional log-in accounts for $75. Our online software is the same as the desktop version; the only difference that it's installed on our server. This is known as "cloud" computing. You and your colleagues can connect to it from any computer.
If $850 is too much, then your next option would be to take advantage of Remote Desktop, which is free with Windows. (There's also a version for Macs.) This enables one user to access one computer. Designed for those who wish to access their office computer from home, or vice versa. Or to access their PC from a laptop or netbook. You should also check out the free third-party solutions, such as Team Viewer, which are easier to set up.
If you're a single operator with no need to enable simultaneous access to your campaign database BUT you'd like to receive updates from others in your organization, such as your treasurer or a trusted data-entry volunteer, then you should take advantage of Filpac's File Synchronization feature. You can simply email the changes you've made since a certain date, and import the changes made by others. This would require the Filpac program to be installed in multiple locations but there is no charge unless your remote users require a support and warranty contract, which can be purchased at a reduced rate.
Still confused? Here's a diagram of some of the available options, with explanations that follow:
| Method | # of simultaneous users | Cost | Difficulty |
| 1. Filpac file synchronization | unlimited | FREE without warranty | low. This is an excellent solution for campaign treasurers wishing to keep their data separate; they can simply export periodic updates to the main database. |
| 2. Remote Desktop Connection | depends on configuration and licensing | 1 user FREE with Windows | low to moderate |
| 3. Shareware solutions such as Team Viewer or Real VNC. | 1 | The FREE edition of Team Viewer will work well. $30 for Real VNC's functional edition. | low to moderate |
| 4. GoToMyPC, LogMeIn, pcAnywhere, or similar service | usually 1 | LogMeIn has a free version. Otherwise $10 monthly (GoToMyPC) to $199 one-time cost (pcAnywhere). | low |
| 5.
Filpac Online, i.e. "The Cloud" 6. Windows Remote Application and Terminal Server |
up to 50 | Recommended for 3 - 50 simultaneous users. $850 on Filpac server. Otherwise approx $3K to do it yourself. | low if you use Filpac server. Requires professional admin -- or at least one reliable and knowledgeable volunteer -- if you do it yourself. |
| 7. Client-Server | many | A very solid choice for large organizations needing desktop software performance for a widely-shared database. | high; centrally-controlled. Software needs to be installed at every workstation. |
| 8. Browser-based software | depends on service | Expensive. Depends on vendor. Usually includes a monthly fee and yearly contract. Doesn't make sense for organizations with fewer than 50 users. Useful for organizations like banks and airlines where thousands log in simultaneously. |
high; centrally-controlled; admin
and software both administered
remotely. |
1. Remote file transfers in Filpac
There's a feature in Filpac that enables you to export your recent updates to a file that can be emailed or posted on the web. Other Filpac users can import this file into their databases, thereby updating their systems with your changes. This is the perfect solution for the campaign treasurer who wants to keep his data separate, or for the campaign volunteer who assists with data entry from his home computer. Or for the campaign that wants to maintain a separate central database but issue periodic updates to others in the organization. All that's required is installing the Filpac database on each remote computer. To process updates, simply go to Import/Export section of the Filpac program and identify the file that you're exporting or receiving. In case you're wondering if there's an extra charge for this service: we don't actually restrict the number of separate copies of the program within your organization. With the following caveat: we provide support and warranty only to those remote users who have paid for it. (The rate for additional remote locations is usually half the current rate.)
2. Remote desktop connection
How can you argue with FREE ? Any Windows XP user can access the computer of another Windows XP user with permission (i.e. a user name and password) from the host computer. This means that your campaign system can be web-based simply by leaving the office computer on at night, and giving the password to those with a need for occasional remote access. The limitation is that only one user at a time can have access. If this becomes a problem, set up a small-office network with two computers sharing the Filpac system and set up both of them as remote desktop hosts.
3. Shareware solutions such as Team Viewer or Real VNC.
The free version of Team Viewer will work well, although you'll need to spend $30 for the Real VNC version that supports file transfers, which we regard as an essential feature of remote access.
4. GoToMyPC, LogMeIn, pcAnywhere, or similar service.
If you have a computer at the campaign office that you'd like to access every once in awhile, one of these options will work nicely for you. The cost is low and the setup is easy. Printing and file-sharing are trouble-free.
5. Filpac
Online, i.e "The Cloud"
6. Windows Terminal Server or
Remote Application.
If your campaign office is set up with Windows Server 2008, then you can take advantage of its Terminal Server feature that comes with two simultaneous remote desktops for free. More licenses can be purchased. The remote user only needs the Remote Desktop client software that comes with Windows. Even when you account for the cost of a beefed-up server, extra software and a network administrator, it's always less expensive than the web-based option. And with better performance.
7. Client-Server
The main difference between this and so-called "Cloud" computing is that the software usually runs locally, i.e. at the "Client", while the database is stored on the server, whereas in the "Cloud", both the software and data files are stored on the server. Improved server technology and internet connectivity are making the client-server method less appealing because of its expense and the need to install and update the application software at every workstation.
8. Browser-based software
This is where you go to a website and enter a user
name and password. If you're US Bank or US Airways, this is
only solution. But if you're a small political operation
with a tiny handful of users, it doesn't make sense to go to all
that expense.
Don't just take our word for it! Download a demo or call us for a web demo.
