What do I get with ProTracker Cloud? |
We are pleased to be working with IVDesk (www.ivdesk.com),
to provide your service, support and
data security solution. Your data will be hosted at a Tier 3 Data
Center (Minneapolis Sungard SAS 70, Type II)
with redundant connectivity, power with UPS and
dual backup generators, dramatic physical
security and a 24 X 7 Network Operations Center.
An additional layer of data security is added
through the use of two-factor authentication. In
addition to a user name and password, access to
ProTracker Cloud requires the entry of a
6-digit pass code that is generated by a
security key assigned to each user.
If you choose to
migrate to the Cloud, you will receive (partial
list): |
- Installation and migration of all your applications
- Email using Microsoft Exchange
(optional)
- Integration with hand-held devices
- Shared
Calendar
- Shared Contacts
- Outlook
- Outlook Web Access
- Email Spam Filtering using Postini
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Data Protection
- Data backup
- Data offsite storage
- Data restores
- Software upgrades - no
need to install the ProTracker Advantage updates
or other software upgrades yourself
- Fault tolerance - data is stored on
multiple servers
- Virus protection
- Network security protection
- Connections to local printers, copiers
and scanners
- Anywhere, anytime secure
access from any Internet connection
- IVDesk help desk support 24/7, always
answered by a real human
| |
What is the difference between a hosted solution and web-based solution? |
Both products use the Internet to provide accessibility from anywhere,
but that is where the similarity ends.
A hosted product is a full-blown desktop solution running on a dedicated
server at a secure data center. Only screen images are transmitted from
the remote server to the user’s computer, so the speed is very fast.
A web-based product sends data back and forth between the vendor’s server and
the user’s computer. The transmission of data is slower because the vendor’s
server has to repeatedly update web pages and
process data locally.
Compare ProTracker Cloud to web-based CRMs
|
| Is ProTracker Cloud as robust as ProTracker Advantage on the Desktop? |
Absolutely. It is the exact same ProTracker Advantage product and it is always
the latest version. We automatically update ProTracker Cloud (the hosted solution version)
whenever
there is a new release of ProTracker Advantage.
|
| Why does ProTracker Cloud cost more than
ProTracker Advantage for the Desktop? |
| ProTracker Cloud costs more than ProTracker
Advantage for the Desktop because you get more.
With the Cloud, you are getting the use
of ProTracker Advantage, of course, but also the total package
of: |
- professional IT
services
- remote access to your data from anywhere
- high security computing
- unlimited computer time
- disk usage (2 GB times the number of users)
- daily data backups
- the
Microsoft Office suite
|
all available to you in your office or on the
road. ProTracker Cloud allows you to outsource
your IT requirements and spend your time working
for your clients.
|
| Why does ProTracker Cloud security require two-factor authentication? |
Many software programs still use usernames and passwords as their only authentication
criteria. This simple single-factor authentication is inadequate under the new privacy laws.
Remember: Without security, there is no privacy.
The use of strong passwords seemingly provides a quick and cost-effective attempt to solve
the issue. However, strong passwords only induce people to write them down or save them on
soft media. Instead of improving security, strong passwords tend to promote bad password
management practices by posing hurdles that require people to remember complex passwords.
ProTracker Cloud
solves this problem by using two-factor
authentication to provide the highest possible
level of security that is still practical for
the user. You still enter your username and a
password, but you have an additional
authentication step where you enter your company
ID followed by six more digits to the password
field. The additional six digits are generated
contemporaneously by pressing a button on your
personal security key.
You might ask “Why this complexity?” The physical security key ensures that only
authorized users can access ProTracker Cloud, and the server knows it is you and
only you. If you lose your security key, the security key can
be immediately disabled electronically. If you lose your laptop, your data is
still secure because your data is stored on the
Cloud, and secondly, the stranger probably does not have your security key. If this
stranger has your laptop and your security key, hopefully, the
stranger does not have your username and password. Overall, two factor
authentication provides a much more secure environment than a simple
username and password.
|
| What is the Security Key? |
The Security Key is a device about the
size of a thumb drive that generates a temporary 6-digit security code every 30 seconds. You will need to use the Security Key every time y ou
log in. The Security Key provides what is known
in the security industry as two-factor
authentication. To login to ProTracker Cloud, you must know you
username, password, company ID and have the Security Key with you. If for any reason your
username or password is compromised, a potential hacker is unable to access your data because the hacker does not have your Security Key.
Or, if you lose the Security Key, the finder of the Security Key does not have your
username, password and company ID.
Without the 10-digit code (4 digit company ID + 6 digit security code) in conjunction with your
username and password, the hacker cannot login.
|
| May I share my Security Key with someone else? |
No. Each user has a unique Security Key
assigned to them by name. Only that specific
Security Key will work for that user. The
Security Keys are not transferable. This
restriction is the only viable way to protect
your data.
|
| If I use a virtual assistant, does the virtual assistant need a Security Key, too? |
Yes. The virtual assistant has to have a separate Security Key. Additional user licenses, account logins and Security Keys may be purchased through ProTracker Software.
|
| What are the rules for creating a strong
password on the Cloud? |
We strongly suggest the use of a strong password to log in. Your password
should satisfy these rules.
We’ll use fictitious user Bob Miller as an example. Bob’s username is BMiller.
|
- The password should contain at least seven characters.
- The password should contain at least three different types of characters.
The different types are:
- Upper case letters A, B, C, …
- Lower case letters a, b, c, …
- Numbers 1, 2, 3, …
- Special characters & punctuation ^*($><; Hint: if you can type it you can use it.
- The password should NOT contain the username.
- The password should NOT contain the parts of the user’s actual name.
- The password should not have been used recently. You should changed your
passwords periodically.
So, here are examples of what could work for Bob’s new password:
|
- 57Chevy!
- RmM1237
- IL0vecars - he used a zero instead of the letter “o”.
- Ak8d&(M3 - it works, but is not a good choice because he’ll use a sticky note to remember it,
and then anyone can use his account to log in.
And, here are some examples that we don't recommend: |
-
BBmiller1 - because his username is in there
-
Bob12#* - because his first name is in there
-
sharon - is too short, and
has only one character type
-
billyamy67 - is long enough, but has no third character type
|
| Can I merge to Word from ProTracker Cloud? |
Yes. ProTracker Cloud includes Office 2003 (Word, Excel,
PowerPoint and Outlook). You may merge letters from ProTracker Cloud right into Word, and then print them on your local printer. You may also store the letters
on the Cloud for printing by your virtual assistant.
|
| How do I scan documents and where are they saved? |
Scanners have to be local, because you have
to physically put a document into the scanner.
With a hosted solution, you scan the document
and save the file to your local computer. After
scanning, you log in to ProTracker Cloud and
upload the document that you just saved on your
local computer. The linking process will move
the document to the client’s file structure on
the Cloud so that you may access the document
remotely (and securely) at any time in the
future. For security purposes, your local
computer will no longer have a copy of the
document on it.
|
| How is email handled with ProTracker Cloud? |
ProTracker Cloud includes the latest version of Microsoft Outlook. You access
your email securely by logging in to your ProTracker Cloud account. You may send
and receive emails, and you may also archive your Outlook emails into ProTracker –
all at the remote server.
|
| Do I need to buy an additional license when I hire an assistant? |
Yes. The secure authentication process that is used by ProTracker Cloud
requires that we register the new user and send a
security key to your assistant.
|
| Do I need to sign an agreement with
ProTracker Software to use ProTracker Cloud? |
Yes. A
Usage Contract
is required to subscribe to ProTracker Cloud.
You must sign and return the signature page to us before we will process your
order.
|
| How do I pay for ProTracker Cloud? |
|
ProTracker Cloud is provided on a monthly
subscription basis. Payment is collected by
credit card.
|
| When does ProTracker Software charge my credit card? |
Credit card accounts are charged at mid-month for the
following month. This provides a two-week
window to resolve accounts that are denied
or closed. You will not be able to login
to ProTracker Cloud after the last day of
the current month unless the
account is in good standing.
|
| How can I cancel my subscription? |
Notify us by the 10th of the month and we will not charge your account
any further. Your access will end on the last
day of the current month.
|
| How do you provide technical support? |
You may contact technical support via email, telephone or fax. Our
telephones are answered by the ProTracker support team in New Hampshire
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. After
hours you may contact IVDesk support at
651-293-5030.
|
| Do you provide training? |
Yes. There are many
recorded tutorials on our website that will
answer most of your questions. There is also a self-study Training Course that
covers ProTracker completely. The ProTracker Advantage program includes an
extensive, context-sensitive Help system. From time-to-time, we provide in-person
classroom training at locations throughout the U. S., usually associated with an
industry conference.
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