Business Productivity

Remote access software, also know as the term remote desktop allows you to remotely run applications on a server while displaying them locally. The applications are run on a server that is not physically present near you, thus the term ‘remote access’.

Remote desktop is usually a feature built into some Operating Systems; there are also standalone applications available for the purpose of remote desktop that usually offer more features and enhanced control and management.

The basic feature of remote desktop is to be able to view the desktop of a remote server, however it is now common for remote access softwares to include the ability to manage and control the remote machine. An internet connection is usually required, however if the remote server is located within the same network, then a basic local connection will suffice.

Remote access softwares are commonly used by many computer manufacturers, such as HP, Dell, etc. They mostly use it to troubleshoot customer problems. This, in most cases, eliminates the need to physically go to the customer’s house and is a lot more efficient than traditional troubleshooting.

There are many different types of Remote Access Softwares available these days. Here’s a quick review of the most popular one.

1. GoToMyPC (http://www.gotomypc.com/)
The basic service goes at $19.95 a month. There are higher level subscriptions with more features though. GoToMyPC is the most popular and effective remote access software to date. Not just that, but it is also one of the easiest to use. All you need is a browser with support for Java and you’re ready to roll. The GUI and display is real time, thus emulating the actual PC being controlled exactly as if it were in front of you. GoToMyPC also has a file transfer utility which can help you access important data or transfer essential files to the remote PC.
If you’re providing support to a friend remotely, you can chat and draw over their screen with a virtual marker to make things clearer. Not just that, but you can also reboot the remote controlled PC.

Perhaps, the best part of the software is the ease of setup. All it requires is downloading a client on the PC you wish to control and access remotely. Then, you just need to set a password on the system. After that, whenever you need to access the remote PC, all you have to do is log into your account and enter the password you defined earlier.

While GoToMyPC is the best remote access software out there, it does cost a bit more than most others. Also, on a side note, GoToMyPC may not work very well on dial-up connections because of the limited bandwidth available.

Tags: Remote Access Software

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