Accounting Application Cloud Migration
What is happening?
- We will be moving our four primary accounting applications (Timberline, Timberscan, AboutTime, and SSO) to cloud servers. The primary difference will be how we access them. We will use a remote desktop service to connect to the applications.
What is cloud computing?
- Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, and software —over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster and flexible resources. We pay only for cloud services we use, helping us lower our operating costs, run our infrastructure more efficiently, and scale as our business needs change.
What is Windows Virtual Desktop?
- Windows Virtual Desktop or WVD for short is a desktop and app virtualization service that runs on Azure, Microsoft’s Cloud Computing Platform. It allows us to present users with a fully customizable desktop complete with the accounting applications already installed.
What are our current limitations with on-premise hosting?
- Timberline requires any PC accessing the application to be on the same local area network as the server. Or to put it simply, in the same physical location. Our current Sage server is located in Columbus. Columbus users can access the application on their individual PCs but users in other locations need to use a remote desktop solution to access it. Any applications connecting to Timberline have the same limitation. This makes it difficult and complicated to access applications outside of any Romanoff office.
What are the benefits that come with cloud computing?
- Improved overall application performance - cloud computing allows us to always be running on the latest and greatest hardware. Completely eliminating physical hardware as a limiting factor in terms of performance.
- Makes accessing accounting apps easier – apps can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
- Accessing more secure – WVD services use Azure AD Authentication and will use Multi Factor.
- Apps always available – currently servers hosted in Columbus, which means if Columbus if offline, no other users can access Timberline. Cloud hosted servers are inherently redundant, which means data is replicated 3 times for maximum protection.
- Load balancing - evenly distributes workload across multiple servers assuring consistent performance and availability.
- Replacement for Sola - replacement for our current terminal server solution. Sola needed to be locked down for security reasons. Since the cloud hosted servers are protected by stronger policies, a full desktop can be presented.
- Timberline errors caused by stuck files - many Timberline and POIV errors are caused by stuck PSQL files on workstations. The new server solution will cut down on this by setting disconnect times.
What does it mean for us in the future?
- Easier to work outside of the office. WVD gives you the option to fully customize a complete desktop you can access anywhere from any device. You can even access your desktop on a phone if you really wanted to.
- Lets us free up space in offices by cutting down on desktop hardware for remote workers.