Super small accounting client needs new server/workstation.

[thecomputerguy]

I have an accounting client (non-msp) that is due for a server/workstation replacement.

Needs:
Quickbooks Desktop Server
Basic file storage & sharing (Word, Excel, PDF)
Office Apps

They currently have an older Optiplex Workstation, a new Optiplex Worksation, and a baseline PowerEdge T100 series server with 2x7200rpms drives in a RAID1. Her setup is old school and she wants to keep it that way.

The server hosts the Quickbooks and file data, so... 2 Workstations, 1 Server.

- I spoke with her about moving to QB online ... not an option for the amount of data files she has.
- I spoke with her about hosting Quickbooks at RightNetworks, she is uncomfortable with this and is not an option.
- She wants to keep her configuration as is with modern equipment.

I'm thinking of putting together a higher end workstation that could combine her needs for a Workstation and a Server since her setup is so simple.

So possibly, going the route of a Precision Workstation 5860 and configuring it with some sort of Xeon and a Video card with a couple HDMI's or a couple of DP's. For the hard drive configuration (which is in my opinion the most important) I was thinking going with 2x 2TB NVme SSD's in a RAID1.

Is RAID1 for OS/Data still as terrible as it used to be ... is this a horrible idea?

Should I try and see if Dell can configure me something like a 512GB NVme Boot and then two 2TB NVme's in a RAID1?

 

[timeshifter]

Seems like a lot of overkill to make one of the machines a non-dedicated server. If she's only going to have two PCs ever then maybe just get another regular type PC to act as the server.

 

[Markverhyden]

A baseline T100 isn't using real RAID. It's using software RAID so technically it's not as reliable as a real RAID card. Beyond that it becomes decision based on what potential scenarios they are or are not comfortable with.

1. What is the size of all the data files? How many different businesses
2. Is she updating QB as Intuit stops support on older versions?
3. She really doesn't need a stand alone server other than the flexibility it brings. A total of 3 machines. If a workstation dies she still could run QB on the server.
4. From a technical perspective she could get away with just two business class work stations. It's just if one dies they only have one machine to use and will have to move the install over if the "server' croaks.

 

[Sky-Knight]

We're due a variant of QB Enterprise Cloud Q1 - Q2 next year.

Intuit only supports software for 2 years, or while under subscription.

I say this because it's possible that a server installed to operate Quickbooks today, will not be able to do so in just two years. This makes a server for this purpose an insanely poor investment. All versions of QB under support today are subscriptions currently, and they will be forced to the cloud at some point. The complete roadmap of QB Enterprise's transfer to the cloud is likely to require a few years yet, but you're still only looking at four or so years tops. That's a VERY short life for a real server of any kind.

QB Online may be viewed as too expensive, but again... no choice is left, or will be left soon. The only viable choice that remains is to halt use of Intuit software.

I would deploy an upgraded desktop with additional BDR software to defend it for this environment. Any "server" is just too much money for 2 users to begin with, but also ethically problematic given what's known about Intuit development and roadmap. The mirror isn't a great idea, that's just complexity for little benefit. Deploy an image based backup tool, a local backup appliance of some sort. In addition, deploy an M365 Team for Quickbooks, and train the user how to backup company files into the Team storage. If you deploy things correctly, the QB investment is protected by TWO offsite capable backup systems all without the requirement of spending an extra cent on the "server" workstation.

 

[DRPCNZ]

In New Zealand I had a REAL Major Battle to convince QB to get a standalone version to recover a clients daat froma dead machine

 

[timeshifter]

In addition, deploy an M365 Team for Quickbooks, and train the user how to backup company files into the Team storage.

Interesting idea, not sure I fully follow it. Could you explain further?

 

[Sky-Knight]

Interesting idea, not sure I fully follow it. Could you explain further?

Make a team, user clicks the sync button on the document library it creates. This in turns makes a folder on the local machine that OneDrive will sync into that team. Train the user on, and configure QB's default backup location to this new folder.

Watch in wonder as OneDrive takes known, tested, working QBB backup files and sends them offsite and stuffs them into a versioned container with a recycle bin.

It's near perfect, assuming the user actually uses it. Never forget that the only supported way to backup and restore Quickbooks is via its own backup / restore functionality.

Also never forget that Intuit in their infinite wisdom doesn't backup the attachments sub folder... so you'll need that separately.

Note this process is similar to having the user backup to their personal documents which is in turn backed up by OneDrive, but that solution dies if that specific user leaves. You forget that data is there and offboard that user BLAM... backups gone in 30 days. WOOOOOPS.

Use a Team!

 

[HCHTech]

Seems like a lot of overkill to make one of the machines a non-dedicated server. If she's only going to have two PCs ever then maybe just get another regular type PC to act as the server.

This is what we do for small accountants. We use a headless "tiny" computer, put it with their networking equipment, make sure it's covered by a UPS and backups. No QB license needed for this "server" computer, just for the users that want simultaneous access.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

For an accounting firm this small, I'd do a glorified workstation for a Quickbooks "server"....
Workstations with an i5/R5 or higher, 32 gigs of RAM each.
AzureAD join all of them.
Files in Teams. Manage updates, OneDrive, BitLocker, login banner, lock workstation mode, all that "best practice for compliance" stuff via InTune.
Some full image backup for the "server"...such as Datto workstation or Synology.