At Airco Comfort Systems, I have been operating Quantrac remotely for over a year. I use it from home, from hotel rooms, from my car, etc. etc. etc. It works like this.
First you must have purchased Microsoft Server Professional and have it installed on your network server. You must also have a full-time Internet connection with a static IP address. Then, using the included Remote Access software in Windows XP, Windows 2000, and other Windows products, you can communicate with the server as if you were sitting in your own office from anywhere in the world. Mobile users can log in, out-of-state users can log in, etc. etc. etc. Of course, there is Internet login and password security to filter out unwanted visitors or hackers.
This is the future for Microsoft and related programming. I can see a day when all technicians will have a window into your Quantrac system (with appropriate security) so that they can take service calls and log the diagnosis, repairs, and print invoices in your office or in their vehicle. They'll be able to receive instructions, service calls, etc. simply by logging in at each call completion to see where they should go next. Your home office will be able to track the calls in real time, seeing the progress as the tech enters data.
There are other ways to access your computer system remotely. I have heard advertisements for "Go to my PC" on the radio. It allows operation of a fixed computer through the internet and will allow operation of your Quantrac system from anywhere in the world.
I'll post more data here as I learn more.
Ken
http://www.kenandjudy.us/Airguns/AirgunHomePage.htm
