Tapping into server from "the field"

[zero118]

Greetings.  So, I'm building this application in PHP on a dedicated system here.  It will not be accessable outside the building for security reasons.  My question is: What would be the best way for our employees in the field (on a mobile truck) to get the information from this system and to send results back?

 

I've thought about setting up a VPN but that would only work if the truck were in cell range for internet access and that doesn't always work.  I've also considered basically duplicating the system onto another computer that could stay with the truck and simply be synced when they returned...  But this obviously is not ideal.

 

Any suggestions?

(I hope I'm in the right thread.)

[xtopolis]

How would you get in any contact with it if you were not always in range for web access?

 

It depends what it is.  Is it a huge mysql database that needs to be searched?  Is it a private algorithm?  Can you make a web interface using SSL and php authentication for it [ when in internet range ] ?  Need more info really.

[zero118]

The biggy is that they're not always in range of the internet.  I was thinking that maybe I can duplicate the server onboard the truck and just sync the info with a script when they get back.  But this would be difficult since numbers are automatic (not just `id`s but the numbers of the parts they are testing).

 

Another thing I was thinking would be to just save the money in computer equipment and have them fill out forms and enter them when hey return.  But this lacks the benefit of searching past records when they are out.

 

Maybe a touchscreen laptop that lets them fill out digital forms?  I could copy the database to the laptop before they go this would still let them search but not enter directly into the system.... Make sense?