Quickbooks Server Recommendation

[AtYourService]

Have a client who has one machine that occasionally uses multi-user mode for an accountant to do the books. They use some software plugin called ESC from Desco that does client scheduling and pricing etc.. The software itself is a pain to setup, had to do it once when their hard drive failed. it involves setting up mysql and configuring everything, the client was lucky that they were able to install the software without a maintenance contract the first time.
so where they are at now is that they want a server to host quickbooks, originally was going to go with a NAS with the quickbooks database on a smb share. but saw that quickbooks no longer supports this configuration.

so client would like a server, not sure if they actually need windows server software as the current machine is just Win7 running mysql. and secondly they only have 2 computers in the office

any quick recommendations for a machine to use? preferably a raid setup so they dont have to worry about losing data again

 

[PodnutzPro]

A standard desktop computer, i5 with 16 GB RAM would be fine to host this for 2 computers. Does not need to be a server OS, and it really does not need RAID, just make sure that they are running a QB backup from inside QB and saving that .qbb file off of the server that is hosting the database. The easiest way is to train them to let QB backup run when it asks them to and save that backup file on their computer, USB drive, or someplace where a regularly scheduled backup is occurring.

 

[TAPtech]

I'm usually a server advocate but for an environment with 2 PCs, I would lean towards just setting them up with a RAID 1 array on the main computer, and a robust backup solution. That's if you're only interested in sharing QB info, and maybe a small file share.

If there is more need of the server or they are planning future expansion, then I would go with an HP Microserver, Dell T20, or Lenovo TS140/150 using Server Foundation or Essentials.

 

[AtYourService]

Yea i was on the fence for a few a bit about using just a NAS, but the client expressed that because the machine that currently houses the quickbooks file and ESC has the hard drive die already , they were looking for a more reliable machine to house them both. (the old manager was using the machine for bitcoin mining, so that shows the strain and age of the computer)

 

[TAPtech]

Just noticed you're so close to me! I'm a little to the west

In that case I would pitch the new server as a manager PC replacement, RAID1, and robust backup solution. I don't have enough information to really say for sure, but it sounds like a server would be a bit unnecessary. It really is a shame that QB is a roadblock for getting a Synology or similar NAS at so many locations.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

For 2 users I agree a full server is not necessary...
I'd do a robust business grade workstation....a nice SSD, 16 gigs of RAM, i7
For the second workstation, also an SSD, 16 gigs, an i5 would be fine.
Gigabit connection 'tween them.

StorageCraft (or other full image based backup) for backup.

Not concerned with RAID, since it's a desktop OS and will just be an Intel FakeRaid controller.

 

[AtYourService]

Im thinking of doing a p2v to convert the current machine into a virtual machine and building out a machine with hyperV to drop it on so i dont have to muck around with trying to rebuild ESC with QB on a new machine

 

[jzukerman]

I picked up a client running ESC & QB a couple of months ago. 4 heavy ESC users, and 3 more off and on users. It uses a considerable amount of RAM, both ESC processes and QB processes. Easily 4GB. I haven't looked into the disk I/O to see if it is heavy on that. I suspect it is. My client has a Dell Poweredge T320 with RAID-5 (not how I'd set it up). Does your client plan to expand their business and add employees and computers? May want to think about getting them a server that they can grow into. Hope this helps.