I have taken on a project in which satellite offices will
collect data, and at regular intervals send this data
to a main office. The satellite offices may also request
data from the main office.

Both the main office and the satellite offices may send or
receive data from each other, or the sattelite offices may
send data back and forth at any time.

Some offices will be using dial-up connections, some may use
more fixed connections like cable modem or DSL. There is no
network in place.

Once the data is collected, the main office will process it
and the send this data to other organizations.

My question is this: Whats the preferred method for sending
and receiving data? I am leaning towards having my application
ZIP up the required records and send it via modem upon user
request.

Should I do this via email? Or is there some way to actually
transmit the data to another PC via IP address?

Any input would be really helpfull.

Thanks