What simple devices I need for network sharing for a small tax firm? I am new to proseries professional . I and my assistant can access live update returns together

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I am new to proseries professional 2018. I have one assistant currently, and other two tax preparers soon. I am owner of small tax firm. I want them work on returns or input data and I review and sign at last. I want network sharing is for all users can access data files or returns. That I need to have network infrastructure, what is simple device should I purchase service? Please help detail. I heard. VPN ? Correct? How to get VPN?

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itonewbieAnswer

Level 15

Based on your responses above, it appears you may need to better understand the functions of different types of VPN and networking.

NordVPN is a pubic VPN that provides another layer of protection for your internet traffic by tunneling and encryption to prevent packet sniffing and to anonymize the communication between your computer and the destination.

Communication within your LAN/WAN is presumed to be safe behind the firewall that should have been set up on your router as well as individual computers. Communication between the router and each connected device should also have been encrypted with at least WPA2-AES, ideally with the Enterprise variant.

If you need to VPN into your network from outside, you will need to set up a private VPN, which NordVPN is not. My only experience is with CISCO and only as a user - that is probably not an economical option for a small office though. FWIW, Windows also has a built-in function that allows the PC to work as a VPN server. There are other alternatives but I am not familiar with them and because you need to open certain ports through your firewall, it's definitely something you would want a professional to set up for you.

In case you need access to your network from the outside, remote desktop could be a viable option. Unlike private VPN where you may have a server that could function as a virtual machine, you will need a physical machine for each connection. My understanding is that private VPN would allow more access control than just remote desktop. In terms of security, you would definitely want to make sure you layer as many levels of protection as you can by practicing good password management, turning on 2FA, and using pubic VPN at the very least. One of the software I have used, which is quite popular, is TeamViewer. LogMeIn is one other example although I haven't used it myself.

Given the amount of confidential information hosted on your network, you would be well advised to weigh your options and ensure you have the necessary safeguard in place.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Still an AllStar

itonewbieAnswer

Level 15

Based on your responses above, it appears you may need to better understand the functions of different types of VPN and networking.

NordVPN is a pubic VPN that provides another layer of protection for your internet traffic by tunneling and encryption to prevent packet sniffing and to anonymize the communication between your computer and the destination.

Communication within your LAN/WAN is presumed to be safe behind the firewall that should have been set up on your router as well as individual computers. Communication between the router and each connected device should also have been encrypted with at least WPA2-AES, ideally with the Enterprise variant.

If you need to VPN into your network from outside, you will need to set up a private VPN, which NordVPN is not. My only experience is with CISCO and only as a user - that is probably not an economical option for a small office though. FWIW, Windows also has a built-in function that allows the PC to work as a VPN server. There are other alternatives but I am not familiar with them and because you need to open certain ports through your firewall, it's definitely something you would want a professional to set up for you.

In case you need access to your network from the outside, remote desktop could be a viable option. Unlike private VPN where you may have a server that could function as a virtual machine, you will need a physical machine for each connection. My understanding is that private VPN would allow more access control than just remote desktop. In terms of security, you would definitely want to make sure you layer as many levels of protection as you can by practicing good password management, turning on 2FA, and using pubic VPN at the very least. One of the software I have used, which is quite popular, is TeamViewer. LogMeIn is one other example although I haven't used it myself.

Given the amount of confidential information hosted on your network, you would be well advised to weigh your options and ensure you have the necessary safeguard in place.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Still an AllStar

M

MybesttaxserviceAuthor

Level 5

Thank you itonewbie
Because last year I used cloud based tax software. I and my assistant were working very helpful. My assistant input data and worked easy section, I reviewed at final and signed return
I change to proseries professional this year 2019 and want my assistant help me the same. Then my new customer on board supportteam adviced me have vpn on my assistant pc . I searched vpn and understood like you explained that vpn only encrypt and secured files transfer from place to place
Therefore I think I still need private network and not define what it is:(
I asked my IT for help too but he told me costly for a small company
I have teamview and google remote access already but I still think it is not convenient for an live update return for each other. Other word , we have to transfer file via team view and open it and back and forth for each other
I work in CA and my assistant in TX
I might need two more tax preparers in CA
Can you suggest me further?
I appreciate this

IRonMaN

Level 15

You might want to hire a local IT guy or gal in your area to help you get setup. I know how to turn a computer on but if I was trying to setup a network in my office I would find someone that knows what they are doing with that kind of techy stuff.

Slava Ukraini!

M

MybesttaxserviceAuthor

Level 5

Hello, Iron. Per my first year on board Intuit support, I need to have VPN serve on my assistant's PC. If I subscribe or download NordVPN (NordVPN said it work for 6 PC), then can we have networksharing with Proseries Professional.
I appreciate this

Ernie

Level 7

The simplest method is to just have a router with each of the PC's attached to the router. Then have 1 PC with all the data files stored on it. Then map each of the PC's to the PC that has the data stored on it and you are good to go.