Our membership software helps your club, charity or non-profit keep track of your members - a great alternative to paper or spreadsheets - helping keep your member data secure and comply with GDPR. A question we often receive is how to access membership data remotely from Member Manager - while there is no built-in remote access functions, this document explores some of the options available to access your membership data remotely. Contact us to discuss further, or download a free trial of Member Manager at: https://www.libraryplayer.co.uk/search/label/Membership%20Software

1. Library Player Products – Remote Access www.libraryplayer.co.uk
Library Player Products
Remote Access
Updated 28 August 2018
Introduction
One of the advantages of our products is that they run on the desktop, and there are no
subscriptions.
We are sometimes asked if its possible to access our software (and your data) remotely – for
example you may wish to access your work data from home, or a charity may have different
committee members at multiple locations who need access to the same information.
While our software does not include a remote access feature or options "out of the box" there are
still options available for you to access our software remotely. These include:
• Setting up a virtual private network (VPN) to access data online, as if its part of the same
local area network. For example, from your home computer accessing and using the
software at your work, as if you are on the same network rather then online.
• Using remote access software, for example TeamViewer or LogMeIn. This allows you to
access the desktop at the remote location.
Options we won't discuss further in the rest of this document include:
• Using the application's database to create a web-based front-end – however this is a lot of
work (developing an entire web-based system from scratch)!
• Placing your database on a web server – if its on a web server, anyone will have access to
the data, so its not secure.
If you'd like to discuss further
We are happy to answer any questions you may have, or discuss your requirements and the best
options. Contact Simon Pittman via e-mail at:
simon@libraryplayer.co.uk
Or telephone 07759 342 056
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2. Library Player Products – Remote Access www.libraryplayer.co.uk
GDPR
Some of our software, for example Member Manager, may include data that you won't want to
share publicly, and you'll want to control who can access the application and data, and keep it
secure.
While this is not a document on GDPR (a seperate guide to Member Manager & GDPR is available
to download from our website or by contacting us), it is still worth being aware that accessing data
remotely may have implications regarding GDPR.
For example: who has access to the data and why, security (if people are accessing over the web),
and if accessing the desktop remotely ensuring you are logged out afterwards, etc.
Remote access software
There are a range of tools available that let you access a desktop computer or server remotely, as if
you are sitting in front of that computer.
Some of the popular tools include VNC, TeamViewer and LogMeIn.
Some remote access tools are available free of charge, while others require payment (or have free
versions and then offer premium versions).
Some are fairly simple and quick to set up, while others may need a bit more work to access
remotely (e.g. changing firewall and port settings).
Remote access to a desktop may be suitable if you require occassional remote access, for example
to check some details or change a setting. However because remote access can be slow, its not
really ideal for intensive or time-consuming tasks.
Also be aware that some remote access tools (especially the free applications) won't allow audio to
play through, or copy files to the desktop you are accessing remotely. Many of these tools are
primarily used for helpdesk and IT support, rather then constantly accessing a computer and its
applications remotely.
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3. Library Player Products – Remote Access www.libraryplayer.co.uk
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
This is probably the best option, but requires a bit more work to set up.
A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to access a remote network, and anything shared on
that network, as if your computer was part of that network's local area network.
For example, someone accessing their work's network from their home computer, as if their home
computer was in their workplace's network, rather then a remote location.
With this option, you could install our software on your home computer, and then access the
database remotely.
You may want to bring in a specialist IT firm to set this up for you, although you can set this up
yourself if you know what you are doing.
SQL Server
Most of our applications have the option of using either an Access database (the default option) or
an SQL Server database. If you intend to access data remotely, particularly if using a VPN or
accessing remotely over the web, you may wish to change the application settings to use an SQL
Server database.
You do require to have SQL Server installed, although you can use the free Express edition.
Using an SQL Server database will ensure your data is kept secure when accessing the data
remotely.
CSV Files
If you don't want to access data remotely, but just want to be able to work on some of the data at
home, for example writing letters via mail merge, you can export your data or search results from
the application to the CSV file, and then taking that CSV file home to do any necessary work.
However be aware that editing the CSV file will not make any changes to the database, but this is
an option if you just need to view or use some of the data.
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4. Library Player Products – Remote Access www.libraryplayer.co.uk
Free trials
Try our products for free – there are no obligations and no need to provide your e-mail address.
More information on all of our products and free trials can be downloaded at:
www.libraryplayer.co.uk
Social media
We regularly post hints, tips and news on our software products on our social media pages – you
can like and connect with us on the following platforms:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LibraryPlayer
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LibraryPlayer
DISCLAIMER: All information within this document is accurate and correct to the author's knowledge,
however neither the author, LibraryPlayer.co.uk or the provider of this document can accept any liability for
any inaccurate information or consequences from following the advice within this document. You should
always back up your data before making any major changes.
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