USING YOUR COMPUTER FROM ANYWHERE (MANAGING YOUR WORKLOAD) by Greg Welsh So you're at home and suddenly remember you need something from your office computer (or vice-versa). Or you're already out of town on that business trip, or vacation. And what you forgot is something important, promised to someone, or on a deadline. You have a choice: blow off the promise you made, get up and go to the other location, or…get GoToMyPC from ExpertCity and let the internet work for you. This nifty service lets you use any computer connected to the internet to access your home or office computers from afar. It's quick and easy to set up - after establishing your account, you download and install software on each computer that you want to access remotely. It's secure, using double logins (first to your account, then to the machine you want to access) and 128-bit encryption. When you want to use the program, you log onto the company's web site, type in the names and passwords for your account and your far-off companion, and watch as the screen of your distant computer appears before your eyes, and the keyboard and mouse of your local machine give you full control over it. The service can be set up to work on single computers, network servers, and across corporate networks (there's a price for everything, starting as low as $14.95 a month for one computer on an annual contract). As with all things internet, the program works best with a high-speed connection, and, of course, the machine you want to reach from your distant location must be on and have a live internet connection. Prior to ExpertCity's release, remote access was possible through programs such as Symantec's PCAnywhere - but it and similar offerings from other competitors required that you install the software on every machine involved in remote computing in advance. That's just not possible when you are at a friend's house, using a hotel's business services, or enjoying the ambience of an internet café. And the programs were tricky to set up. With GoToMyPC, its point-and-click all the way, and the only advance work you need to do is account setup and the initial download to your home or office computers. You can use the program to support telework if you have a computer not in use because, well, somebody left and their desk is unoccupied. Find your freelance or temporary help, give them access, and put them to work without having to set up accounts and help them establish remote logons through virtual private networking (VPN) connections. You'll know exactly what they see on the screen, and they'll be up and running in no time. Want to outsource some work to areas or countries where wages are lower? With an internet connection you can span the globe and avoid high-priced telecommunications charges. The program has won accolades from business publications and the trade press alike, as you'll see when visiting the ExpertCity pressroom on the company's web site. The basic technology is now used by corporations near and far to provide technical support, whether it's the internal help desk viewing an employee's computer, or a software vendor troubleshooting its product at a customer's site or providing other customer services. ExpertCity didn't reinvent the wheel, they just applied the promise of the internet a niche that has significant growth potential. As broadband connections proliferate and more companies and individuals have round-the-clock internet connections, the ease and convenience of GoToMyPC will prove itself many times over. I find their free trial offer a bit stingy - they allow up to sixty minutes in the first thirty days (whichever comes first), after which charges appear on your credit card. Thirty days is OK - anyone should be able to make a decision in a month's time. But sixty minutes of connect time is just enough time to see that the software works without giving you much time to consider the value proposition. How often will you use it? How efficient and effective will it be over the long haul? What is the quality of service of the internet connection over a more extended period of time, and how much delay do your core applications incur? While the service can be billed on a month-to-month basis, it's more economical to pay for an annual agreement, increasing your financial exposure if the service doesn't meet your needs. ExpertCity could do more to allow prospective clients a better opportunity to evaluate the program. Nevertheless, they've shown once again the value of the internet global connection that delivers business value when and where it's needed. Return to top of page - Return to homepage