Portable restroom operators are finding increased usage of technology to
increase productivity. The ability for multiple computers to share information
regarding a portable restroom business is essential for running an efficient
portable restroom operation. Today computer networking is becoming
common place for even smaller portable sanitation operations wishing to
prepare for growth
increase productivity. The ability for multiple computers to share information
regarding a portable restroom business is essential for running an efficient
portable restroom operation. Today computer networking is becoming
common place for even smaller portable sanitation operations wishing to
prepare for growth
The Sanitation Journal is a monthly trade publication that caters to the portable restroom industry. Each month
thousands of portable restroom operators utilize information from the Journal to aid in business decisions.
Subscribe today and make sure you never miss an issue.
thousands of portable restroom operators utilize information from the Journal to aid in business decisions.
Subscribe today and make sure you never miss an issue.
Computer networking comes in several flavors. There are networks where all the computers are connected using
cables and are usually within 700 cable feet of each other and networking where the computers are far enough
away that they cannot be cabled. The second case, or remote networking, has in the past required two computers:
one in your place of business that had access to your programs and data, and a second computer that is used to
connect to the one in your office. The two computers are connected with dial-up or internet connection and when
the remote computer is using the local computer, it cannot be used by anyone else in the office.
The leading software packages that supported this type of connection are Symantec’s PCAnywhere and Remote
Desktop Communication (RDC) that is build into Windows XP-Professional. Both do an excellent job, and require
PCs on both ends. Another alternative, called Citrix, costs about $1,000 to $1500.00 per seat and requires
significant technical skills to purchase, configure and operate. A good choice for a larger corporation that needs
the features and special tools that are included in the license, though typically out of reach of the small to medium
company with 2-3 locations, one of which might be a home office.
Along comes Microsoft with a product called Terminal Services. This software product can be installed with
minimal technical skills. Not a job for an amateur, but could be handled by most technical people who have
installed windows server. Basically, you insert disk and make some minor choices and you are up and running.
This allows any windows PC to access the Terminal Server and run the program on the server. What is nice about
this solution is that the computer memory, disk and processor are shared across all the PCs that use them, and the
remote PCs do not have to have the same capabilities as the terminal server, i.e., they can be cheaper and do not
require any special installation of software or program updates. All this is done on a single machine at a single
location. Your PCs located at your place of business can now use the “Terminal Server” over your local area
network, and guess what, so can your remote locations, and if the remote location has a TCP/IP phone (last month’
s column) with a single high speed internet connection, you have full telephone service and full computer
networking. Both act as if you are setting at a desk in your office. The technology now makes coverage of office
activities from any location with a high speed internet connection available as a place you can do business. This
includes Starbucks, and cruise ships (yes they have internet for $30.00/hour). You ask yourself, why would I want
to handle business while on a cruise ship? Hopefully, you will not, but as many small companies have limited
resources, this can allow you to go on the cruise and maybe spend a few hours a day making sure the ship stays
afloat and still spend time with your family. Not a bad compromise if you give it a little thought.
So how much and how long should it take to get this technology in your company? In summary, significantly less
than $5,000.00 depending on the number of stations and what technology you are already using. If you are starting
from scratch, plan for $2,000.00 for a server (DELL), about $1,000.00 for the software licenses and $500.00 to
$1500.00 for installation and getting started issues.
Does this save money? Well, bottom line, yes. That’s why bigger companies use it. Saves money on lower cost
PCs, shared licenses, and access to company information from any location with high speed internet. If you give it
some thought, you will see that it may pay for itself by allowing you to hire more qualified people because you can
offer more flexible working conditions and provide a higher level of service to your customers.
cables and are usually within 700 cable feet of each other and networking where the computers are far enough
away that they cannot be cabled. The second case, or remote networking, has in the past required two computers:
one in your place of business that had access to your programs and data, and a second computer that is used to
connect to the one in your office. The two computers are connected with dial-up or internet connection and when
the remote computer is using the local computer, it cannot be used by anyone else in the office.
The leading software packages that supported this type of connection are Symantec’s PCAnywhere and Remote
Desktop Communication (RDC) that is build into Windows XP-Professional. Both do an excellent job, and require
PCs on both ends. Another alternative, called Citrix, costs about $1,000 to $1500.00 per seat and requires
significant technical skills to purchase, configure and operate. A good choice for a larger corporation that needs
the features and special tools that are included in the license, though typically out of reach of the small to medium
company with 2-3 locations, one of which might be a home office.
Along comes Microsoft with a product called Terminal Services. This software product can be installed with
minimal technical skills. Not a job for an amateur, but could be handled by most technical people who have
installed windows server. Basically, you insert disk and make some minor choices and you are up and running.
This allows any windows PC to access the Terminal Server and run the program on the server. What is nice about
this solution is that the computer memory, disk and processor are shared across all the PCs that use them, and the
remote PCs do not have to have the same capabilities as the terminal server, i.e., they can be cheaper and do not
require any special installation of software or program updates. All this is done on a single machine at a single
location. Your PCs located at your place of business can now use the “Terminal Server” over your local area
network, and guess what, so can your remote locations, and if the remote location has a TCP/IP phone (last month’
s column) with a single high speed internet connection, you have full telephone service and full computer
networking. Both act as if you are setting at a desk in your office. The technology now makes coverage of office
activities from any location with a high speed internet connection available as a place you can do business. This
includes Starbucks, and cruise ships (yes they have internet for $30.00/hour). You ask yourself, why would I want
to handle business while on a cruise ship? Hopefully, you will not, but as many small companies have limited
resources, this can allow you to go on the cruise and maybe spend a few hours a day making sure the ship stays
afloat and still spend time with your family. Not a bad compromise if you give it a little thought.
So how much and how long should it take to get this technology in your company? In summary, significantly less
than $5,000.00 depending on the number of stations and what technology you are already using. If you are starting
from scratch, plan for $2,000.00 for a server (DELL), about $1,000.00 for the software licenses and $500.00 to
$1500.00 for installation and getting started issues.
Does this save money? Well, bottom line, yes. That’s why bigger companies use it. Saves money on lower cost
PCs, shared licenses, and access to company information from any location with high speed internet. If you give it
some thought, you will see that it may pay for itself by allowing you to hire more qualified people because you can
offer more flexible working conditions and provide a higher level of service to your customers.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Serving the American Liquid Waste Industry Since 2002