Why would you want to access a computer from far away? A better question: Why wouldn’t you?
Maybe you’d like to provide effective and fast tech support—to a colleague who works in another building or a parent who lives in another state. Instead of struggling to diagnose a problem over the phone, remote access software lets you see their screen right on yours, and control it with your own mouse and keyboard. You don’t have to be on the same network, or even in the same country.
With the right tools, you can easily access files you forgot at the office or save energy by shutting down an unused machine. You can manage a set of servers in a distant location. Or keep an eye on what employees are doing. In a classroom environment, you can even use it to share your screens and presentations on students’ computers.
But before you can work all that magic, you have to choose the right software from all the options on the market. Here’s what to look for in remote-access programs.
Simple Installation: Life is too short to spend hours—or even more than a few minutes—installing and configuring software. The best remote-access software can be set up almost instantly. Just load the software onto the administrator and client computers (the machines that are controlling and being controlled), set up passwords, and you’re done. For example, LiteManager can be installed remotely, and even has a QuickSupport mode that can be used for a one-time connection or to assist a beginner computer user.
Total Control: You don’t want software that limits what you can do remotely. Look for something that allows you to drag and drop, use the clipboard, lock a computer, switch between multiple monitors, copy, delete, run, and edit files, turn off or reboot a machine, start applications, transfer files between computers, see what software is running, and more.
Speed: Time lags can be frustrating and confusing for remote-access users and administrators. It’s crucial to go with a high-speed program, for real-time control.
Cross-Platform Capability: If your office is like most, you have a mix of different devices running different operating systems. You need software that’s flexible enough to play well with Windows, Mac OS and Linux.
Simultaneous Connections: You may just need to retrieve a single file—or you may need to keep track of dozens of computers at a time. For network administrators, an interface like LiteManager’s lets you track the status of multiple machines at once, as well as have several remote screens open on your desktop.
Chat and More: When it comes to managing remote workers and remote devices, communication is key. Seek out software that has a chat function—by text, audio and video— and also lets you send notifications. For instance, LiteManager’s video capture mode also let you record what’s happening on target computers; you can even let schedule a recording and review the feed later.
No IP: Remote management does not need to take place on the Internet. Many organizations want to access machines in a separate network by using the server software as a gateway to link up computers. LiteManager can assign the target computer a unique ID that can be used to link it up with the administrator computer.
Cost Effectiveness: Find a solution that’s robust, secure and flexible that won’t break your budget. LiteManager comes in a free version, suitable for personal or commercial use, that lets you access up to 30 machines simultaneously, with no time limit. The Pro version, with more features, can be licensed perpetually for as little as $10 per PC, with free updates. So isn’t it time to take control?
