| Core Architecture |
Centralised VM server with RDP for 5 users |
Local installs or shared peer-to-peer networking |
| Central Data Storage |
✅ Centralised in VM on SSD |
❌ Data scattered or hosted on one PC |
| Remote Desktop Access |
✅ 5+ RDP sessions via Server |
❌ One user per PC max, no headless access |
| Performance Consistency |
✅ High-performance NVMe + CPU/RAM scaling |
❌ Depends on each PC |
| Snapshots & Rollbacks |
✅ ZFS snapshots (instant rollback) |
❌ Not available |
| Backups |
✅ Scheduled, local + offsite, immutable |
❌ Manual or inconsistent backups |
| Ransomware Resilience |
✅ Snapshots + air-gapped + S3 support |
❌ All PCs at risk |
| System Maintenance |
✅ One Proxmox node to maintain |
❌ Maintain each PC separately |
| Sage 50 Suitability |
✅ Server-based hosting fully supported |
⚠️ Local use OK but more fragile |
| Multi-user File Access |
✅ Safe concurrent access via RDP |
⚠️ Risk of file corruption or conflicts |
| Software Patching |
✅ One system to update |
❌ Patch all workstations manually |
| User Management |
✅ Centralised logins and control |
❌ Local logins only |
| Scalability |
✅ Add VMs/roles easily |
❌ Quickly becomes unmanageable |
| Cost |
Moderate one-off + CALs if needed |
Low upfront, higher long-term support cost |
| Audit & Logs |
✅ Fully auditable |
❌ No central logs |
| Disaster Recovery |
✅ Restore entire system in minutes |
❌ Manual recovery on each PC |