Thread

Hi guys
We’re about to begin a development for a company that has 3+ stores. We’re going to code the whole system with codeIgniter. A little ERP
We are now in design stage, and need to build the infrastructure

We’ve done 2 approachs:

1) Everything stored in a dedicated server
Please See Design
http://i28.tinypic.com/15waza0.jpg
The application is stored in a dedicated server. Each store has an internet connection. They login into the system and do the everyday work.
Pros:
Everything is stored in 1 place
Store X owner “can’t” steal our sourceCode
Cons:
If internet link at store X goes off, they can’t work

2) Each store has its own server
Please See Design
http://i32.tinypic.com/2duiiif.jpg
The application is stored in each store. Each store has a little LAMP server. They work with the application, and they sync the info with central store, using internet, every night.
Pros:
System’s users can work without worrying about internet connection dropping
Cons:
Our app can be easily copied/cloned into a new store without our permission

____________________________

Now my questions are

1) What do you think of each approach? Which one would be better? Having into account that internet service is (and will be) very poor and drops freq.

2) Which advise would you give me in case we choose approach 2, so our client can’t hire a guy to steal our app and clone it in a new store? I mean, how to protect each lamp, so in case code is moved, it doesn’t work in a new store (without our permission)

3) Any other thoughts?

I’d love to hear your comments. Thanks a lot in advance,

i would go with the central location (#1) choice. it will be easier for you to safe guard as well as code. the syncing of the data will be a challenge if like you said they have a shitty internet connection. plus having to support multiple servers in multiple places will be a headache in itself. if they lose an internet connection to the central server its time for them to switch to a better isp. this would also allow the central people to run reports on live data not 12+ hour old data.

I’ve been thinking about this for most of the afternoon and there are a few extra things you can look into…

if you go with choice #1 you have better security but more problems with connectivity, as a business owner… if internet connectivity is going to bring your ability to make a sale to a stand still then your software is not an option - but since you haven’t given specifics as to what the software will do, I can’t really go all that deep.

As the business owner I would want something that is going to work with or without internet.

Another thing you haven’t said is whether or not you will be providing the dedicated server hardware for this product or if it is supposed to run on already existing hardware.

If it’s going to be running on a dedicated server that you provide at the remote stores then why even give them access to the box?

Also, if you aren’t doing the dedicated server, have you looked into getting something like Zend Guard?  http://shop.zend.com/en/zend-guard.html

its time for them to switch to a better isp. this would also allow the central people to run reports on live data not 12+ hour old data.

the main problem is that there’s no better isp. We’re in a zone where all the ISPs depend on a service provided by the main (monopoly) internet company in this location, which sucks

As the business owner I would want something that is going to work with or without internet.

Another thing you haven’t said is whether or not you will be providing the dedicated server hardware for this product or if it is supposed to run on already existing hardware.

Sure, you’re right
The software will be a POS system, with some ERP functionality. It will centralize all operations made in each store into the central store.

I’ve heard about Zend, but I guess it will be too complicated. I’d be happy to find some tool that allows me to encode index.php in my CI app, and that checks disk serial or hardware id, just that

Thanks for your opinions.