SQL Replication Scenario

[surfsidecs]

My current office configuration has 6 offices connected through a WAN and 1 SQL DBServer at the main site that all of the remote users access through Citrix. I am looking to install local SQL Servers at each of the 6 locations but would need them to replicate back to the main DB Site in close to real time. I am looking for suggestions on how this can be accomplished and if 3rd party software is needed..what should i be looking at.

Thanks

 

[DrSql]

With SQL Server 2008 you should be able accomplish this.
1.) Is there OLTP trasnactions at all sites?
2.) You need the entire dataset at all sites?
3.) Possibilties of data conflicts
4.) How many transactions per sec

Based on that you can design Primary data set HQ as Publisher and 5 branches as subscribers.

If its reporting then configure transactional replication
If its an OLTP and there are no conflcicts then suggest to configure peer 2 peer.
If its OLTP and expect to have conflicts then suggest to configure merge replication.

Good luck

Dr.Sql
Good Luck.