So you are accessing Roll Call within your church's LAN and it's going great.  Now you want to access Roll Call from a remote location.  Can it be done?  The answer is YES and there are several options available.  Each option has it's pros and cons, so consider what your goals are and give them a try.

Remote Desktop Software

The cheapest and easiest way to access Roll Call remotely is by using remote desktop software, such as Logmein or GoTomyPC.  This technology allows you to access the desktop of one computer (remote computer) by using a browser from another computer (local computer).  Once the connection is made, it is like you are sitting in fromt of the remote computer.  You can run Roll Call just like you do at the office.  Click remote desktop software for instructions on setting up this option.

Pros:  Fast and free, easy to install, secure communications: 

Cons:  Must have a computer to connect to.  Only one person can work on a computer at a time

Virtual Private Network

This option creates a VPN between the LAN at the church and the remote computer.  This can be accomplished via hardware or software.  Although there are several ways to set up a VPN and any of these are acceptable we recommend using LogMeIn's Hamachi product.  Click virtual private network, for instructions on setting up this option.

Pros:  Free to Non Profits; Secure communications.

Cons:  A couple of moving parts to trouble shoot if problems arise.

Internet Access via Port Forwarding

This option allows you to access Roll Call via Roll Call Client from any machine over the internet by obtaining a fixed or dynamic IP address and forwarding communications that come into your network to the machine where Roll Call Servr is running.  Click port forwarding, for instructions on setting up this option.

Pros:  Free. Internal network is secure.

Cons: Communications aren't encrypted.  Performace can vary.

Roll Call on the Cloud

Don't want to worry about managing your Roll Call Server?  Don't want to buy and maintain the hardware?  Don't want to worry about backups?  Don't want to deal with upgrades and patches?  Want to access Roll Call from anywhere?  We can host your Roll Call Server on the cloud. 

Pros:  You don't have to manage your Roll Call Server - we do it.

Cons:  Internet connection must be available or you can't access Roll Call.