Can a Server do this ?

[sarah_louise]

I know very little about the correct function of a Server.
I know it can be a central location for Data for a Workgroup but someone asked me whether you could put software such as Microsoft Word on one and each user access it and use it at the same time
I have said I think not but I dont really know the correct answer.
I know you ABers will know ?

[vehelpfulguy]

There is some software that you can install on a server and then each user can use it.

Microsoft do a lot this type of software, such as Exchange, which is a server product for managing e-mails and messaging.

BUT I dont think Office falls into this category.

I have looked at all the web sites for Office and I cant see anywhere it says you CANT (but nowhere that says you CAN either).

Server software is usually priced at so much for running it on the server (server license), and then so much for each client that is going to connect to it (client license).

Office is not priced like that, it is so much for each user.

So I think the answer is no.

[vehelpfulguy]

A bit of background on the use of a server.

Machines are generally divided up into servers and clients.

The client is the computer you have on your desk and you use for your day to day work. This usually runs Windows XP or Windows Vista.

The server is the central computer and is usually fairly large and powerful. Software that people can share is installed on there, and also important data is stored there.

In fact in a client / server environment ALL data should be stored on the server and NONE on the client. This is so that this data can easily be shared by everyone.

There should also be a regular backup of ALL the data on the server, so that if the server computer crashes (or there is a fire or flood) all the data is safely backed up.

If data was scattered over all the different client machines then it would be difficult to share it, and also every client PC would have to be backed up overnight to ensure all data had been backed up.

Of course in this modern world a "client" computer could also be a laptop, hand held device, PDA, or even a mobile phone.

[vehelpfulguy]

One good example of the use of a server is when you go to the hole in the wall machine at your bank.

The machine you put your card in is the client. When you tap your pin numbers and ask for some money then the request is sent to a large server computer.

This large server (usually a mainframe computer) will be held in the head office and contain details of EVERY person at that bank and how much money they have in their account.

The server will check your pin and send a reply back to the client saying it is OK to give the person �50 and the money is paid out.

The client machine in the bank pays out the money, and sends a message back to the server saying it has paid out the money, and the server debits the money from your account.

This is a classic client / server situation, fairly small client machine and a huge server machine.

[Bushwhacker]

On a related point :

I regularly email a lot of data out worldwide for review. Currently, I send out multiple workbooks to multiple users who then review their data. Along with reviewing their data, these users also make (and save) changes to the data. The data is then emailed back to me and I collate all the data back into one master file. (NOTE : The data in each workbook shares exactly the same format).

I have a vague notion that I would like to locate just the one master Excel workbook on a web server, with each user being able to access this file, review their part of the data and make changes if necessary (which would all be saved). I would like to put the file onto a server, notify the users of it being there and then go back to the server a few days later and pick up the reviewed file (with all changes that had been made to the workbook having been saved).

Is this possible ?? What are the pitfalls ?? Is there a better way of addressing this etc. etc.

All advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

BW

[Jugglering]

Regarding your specific point about the software being installed on the server with each user working off that - yes you can purchase *Multi User* Licences for different types of software. I believe you can have *stand alone* versions of Microsoft Office 2000, *5 user licence* versions and *unlimited user licence* versions. The disadvantage though is that if the server *goes down* for any reason then none of the users will be able to continue working, which is why a lot of IT administrators will install single user licences on each pc so that even if there were problems with the network, people are not sitting there twiddling their thumbs. More info here:-

http://www.v47.co.uk/cbt/index.php?act=viewPro d&productId=53

As mentioned above, data produced by software packages should be stored on the server and backed up regularly.

[Bushwhacker]

Apologies for trying to hijack your post sarah-louise,

I will re-post over on Computers.