SI 2000, PC's and Limitations of use

[Richard]

How are other dealers handling the use of the internet in their dealerships? Since SI 2000 is connected to the 'net, we keep having to repremand techs for 'unauthorized' visits to other sites, including 'accidential' visits to porn sites. We also have a slight problem with techs bringing game software in and installing it on the SI 2000 PC's. I really HATE installing Cyber-Sitter, or some other type of software, but when you have warned and warned, what else is left?

[RIC]

WHEN WE FIRST UPGRADED TO OUR CURRENT PC, AND THE SI 2000 RELEASE WAS PENDING, I SPECIFIED TO THE VENDOR OF THE PC THAT I DID NOT WANT ANYONE (NOT JUST TECHS) TO BE ABLE TO VIEW ANY OTHER SITES ON THAT PC OTHER THAN THE "GM AUTHORIZED" SITES. BETWEEN THE PC VENDOR AND THE GM SOFTWARE, IT HAS BECOME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO STRAY.

REALITY IS THAT IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, SOMEONE IN THE DEALERSHIP WILL FIND A WAY TO GET AROUND SECURITY. I SUGGEST A WRITTEN POLICY INFORMING EMPLOYEES THAT INTERNET SERVICES WITHIN THE DEALERSHIP ARE TO BE USED FOR BUSINESS REASONS ONLY. THE POLICY IS ONLY GOOD IF IT IS THEN ENFORCED. I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM ENFORCING AN ADMINISTRATIVE SUSPENSION FOR ANY EMPLOYEE THAT USES DEALERSHIP RESOURCES FOR PORNO PURPOSES. I'M NO PRUDE, BUT EVERYTHING HAS ITS PLACE. PORNO DOES NOT BELONG IN THE WORKPLACE.

[JerryM]

Our SI2000 link is thru ACCESS on our TechLine unit. You cannot get on the net through ACCESS!

[warr_wiz]

There are many ways you can limit internet access with a pc. You can install programs that let you set which sites can be viewed. Or you can try setting the security and password settings in windows so only a limited number of people can log on to the network. As previously mentioned, where there is a will there is a way. There is always the possibility that some people will find ways around any security settings. Make sure all pc's are in plain site to limit the temptation to "surf" instead of "work."