WAL Skewed
Here’s a version written from the perspective of a supplier proposing the peer-to-peer setup — while acknowledging the strengths and trade-offs, and justifying the simpler approach. It’s still in Markdown format for easy use:
Proposal: Peer-to-Peer System for Sage 50 & Inventory Software (5 Users)
Dear Client,
As your software and systems provider, we’d like to propose a cost-effective and easy-to-manage solution for your Sage 50 and Inventory Management needs using a peer-to-peer Windows 11 setup. This avoids the complexity and upfront cost of a dedicated server, while still delivering the functionality required for a team of up to 5–6 users.
🧾 Peer-to-Peer vs Server-Based: Honest Comparison
| Feature | Peer-to-Peer (Our Proposal) | Dedicated Server (Alternative Approach) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 5–6 Windows 11 PCs networked together | Centralised server with remote desktop access |
| Software Installation | Sage 50 and Inventory tools installed locally | All software runs within central server |
| Data Access | Shared folder hosting Sage data on one PC | High-speed SSD-backed access inside virtual server |
| Remote Access | Not supported by default | Built-in via RDS (Remote Desktop Services) |
| Snapshots / Rollbacks | ❌ Not available | ✅ ZFS snapshots with instant rollback |
| Backups | Manual (via shared folders or cloud sync) | Scheduled, immutable, and offsite-capable backups |
| Ransomware Resilience | ❌ Basic AV and Windows Defender only | ✅ Snapshot and offline backup protection |
| Maintenance | 5–6 PCs to patch and update | One central system to maintain |
| Sage 50 Compatibility | ✅ Supported in peer networks | ✅ Fully supported under RDS |
| User Support | Local user sessions only | Concurrent RDP sessions possible |
| Cost | ✅ Lower upfront cost | Higher initial cost (server + Windows licensing) |
| Disaster Recovery | ❌ Restore from backup or reinstall manually | ✅ Full rollback in minutes |
✅ Why Peer-to-Peer Is a Good Fit for You
- You have a small team (5–6 users)
- All users work on-site and do not need remote access
- You want to avoid complexity and prefer familiar Windows 11 desktops
- You prefer to minimise cost without compromising core functionality
- Your team is not yet at the scale that justifies enterprise-grade infrastructure
⚙️ How It Works
- One PC will act as the data host, sharing the Sage 50 and inventory files
- All other PCs will run the same software and access the shared data
- We will set up daily file-level backups to external drives or OneDrive/SharePoint
- Each user will work locally on their PC without relying on remote logins
- Software updates and patches will be managed as part of your support contract
🛠️ What’s Included
- Supply and install Sage 50 Pro (5-user) and inventory software
- Configure shared data access and test multi-user functionality
- Set up local backups and recovery steps
- Assist your team with usage, access, and updates
⚖️ Final Note
While a dedicated Windows Server setup with Proxmox offers more advanced resilience, security, and centralised control, our peer-to-peer model is more than capable for small teams and delivers excellent value with simplicity.
If in future your needs evolve — such as requiring secure remote access or centralised IT — we can help you migrate to a server-based model seamlessly.
Let us know if you’d like to proceed or discuss this in more detail.
Sincerely,
[Your Company Name]
Peer-to-Peer IT Solutions for Small Teams