Telecommuting or remote work has taken the world by storm. Employees are now doing their tasks at home, at a satellite office, or while traveling. With this kind of flexibility, organizations are reaping the benefits of higher employee engagement and greater revenue.
Despite the many advantages of remote work, employees are spread all over the place, which makes it susceptible to different challenges. One of these is the ability to get the crucial IT support they need. Fortunately, technology was able to keep up with the times. The IT department and support technicians can use remote desktop software to perform troubleshooting even if they are miles away from the physical device. This is great, as remote employees are no longer left in the dark with an unresolved tech issue.
What is Remote Desktop Software?
Remote desktop software enables people to access and use a computer from a distance. It lets employees access their office desktops, implement urgent tasks, and receive help more quickly and efficiently. Aside from that, it enables IT professionals to perform maintenance and support technicians to provide assistance. This program gives users the same level of access as being physically present to control the computer’s mouse and keyboard.
When you set up a remote desktop connection, it typically locks the host computer’s screen as the session begins. Only the remote device can view its video output. Even though it is viewed on a remote screen, the one in charge of the processing is the host computer. All the files that you save on the hard drive will be kept on the host computer’s drive and will be transferred to the remote computer when the connection ends.
Remote Desktop Features
Every remote desktop software has its own specific features and functions. The top tier remote tool should be able to provide capabilities including screen casting and capturing, file management, registry management, real-time exchange of messages, access to sleep/shut down computers, initiate mobile device access, as well as monitoring and alerts.
When comparing remote desktop software, you should take note of the following:
- Operating System – There is no one-size-fits-all tool for remote computing. When choosing remote desktop software, make sure that it is compatible with the operating system of your device – whether that may be Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, or Ubuntu.
- Security – Study each tool’s design and processes for securing your organization’s sensitive data. They should be able to meet local and international security regulations, and have a proven record of data integrity. By reading reviews, you can verify if a tool’s security claims live up to its promise.
- User-friendliness – This characteristic is an important factor to consider for users who are not experts in remote desktop software. Having easy setup and navigation is needed by end-users to use the app effectively.
- Help Desk Integration – Help desk provides quick resolution of immediate technical issues. It will receive, log, and assign issues to the appropriate department, making the process more convenient. Choose remote desktop software that is able to streamline the ticketing process and initiate the delivery of remote assistance.
Remote Desktop Software Options
1. TeamViewer
TeamViewer caters towards large enterprises. It both provides shared meeting tools and remote support, which help employees all over the world increase productivity and remain connected. It is versatile – supporting all OS (Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, and iOS). It can connect to out-of-band computers, eases file transfers, enables screen sharing, and many more. Because of its many capabilities, TeamViewer is quite expensive. However, take note that it is a good deal for major organizations.
2. Microsoft Windows Desktop
Microsoft Remote Desktop is a free, simple, and effective tool for enabling remote connections. It helps users access Windows PCs from other computers and mobile devices. While you can use a Mac to access a Windows desktop, accessing a Mac through a Windows PC doesn’t work. Windows Remote Desktop is well-suited with devices using Windows 7 or higher.
3. Itarian
This remote desktop tool is perfect for any business size. It is incredibly robust but with a user-friendly interface. Users of the platform can easily use and manage their remote PCs, laptops, mobile devices, and servers. Putting it to work is simple and straightforward, and remote devices are typically verified in seconds. Once the program is fully set up, users can use it to transfer files, chat with end users, print remotely, etc. If you need a remote tool for your small business, this one has an economical price and may be exactly what you’re looking for.
