Remote Access/Remote Desktop

Many times when we are working with our accounts we come across an issue that requires us to look something up on either our computer or our secretaries computer.  The only problem is that is happens to on our secretary’s day off and you need to access their computer.  Well there are ways to do it without having to leave your account’s showroom, going to your office and having to reschedule the appointment – that’s just wasting time, gas and ultimately money.  Here are a couple of ways that you could access those computers and not have to lose face time with your customers.

1.) TeamViewer

This great utility can be used on any computer anywhere around the world.  All you need is an internet connection and the computer you want to access turned on with TeamViewer running.  You login by clicking the “web login” link, after you login you see a screen like this and you will select the online partner computer you wish to acces.

Once you select that computer you will be asked to enter a password for that computer.  If you plan on accessing this computer on a regular basis you may want to make sure that TeamViewer is not closed, that is because the password resets with each restart of the program.  After you enter the correct password, you will them have complete access to that computer.  You can browse the harddrive, work on a document, etc.

TeamViewer is not just a web-based software, it also has a downloadable version for Windows, Mac and Linux (I personally don’t know anyone who currently uses Linux, but they have a program that is compatible with that operating system).

TeamViewer also has a mobile version for Android devices, and iOS devices (iPhone and iPad).  Once you login you see the following screens…

iPhone login screen…

iPhone screen after logging in.  Select a partner and you can see their screen…

This is what it looks like once you login on a Mac remotely…

TeamViewer has a couple of option, as far as plans go… You can use the free version that will allow you to do all the things I mentioned above.  They also have multiuser options, Business Plan, Premium Plan and a Corporate Plan.  If you have a small office like mine, only a couple of computers, you may want to go for the free version – this may be limited, but it allows you to do all the things that I mentioned before.

2.) GoToMyPC

This is probably the most used remote access/remote desktop program used.  However, the difference between TeamViewer and GoToMyPC is that the later is a paid service.  They do offer a 30 day trial version that once it expires you will be charged for the service from that point on.  With that said, it is still a great service.  Much like TeamViewer is compatible with Mac and PC and allows you to access any computer around the world from any computer around the world.  If you will be working as a team on a project, it allows you to manage the groups and the group managers.

Some benefits of GoToMyPC are…

1.) Increased productivity.  If employees need to work from home this programs allows them to work from home, thus moving to the next benefit…

2.) Decreased downtime.

3.) Lower overhead.  No more having to pay for a technician to come to your office to fix your computers or network.

4.) This program meets any large companies security requirements.

Some features of GoToMyPC are…

1.) The biggest feature… Remote access.

2.) Easy installation

3.) Mobile app for the iPad.

 

4.) Multimonitor support

5.) Guest invite.

Different plans…

These are just two of the remote desktop/remote access options that are available.  I would like to hear about other options that are out there, if you know of others I haven’t mentioned please let me know so I can learn about it.