The flurry of winter storms all across the United States are the perfect example of why it is so important that you have remote access to your workstation in the office. Imagine waking up in the morning and seeing a foot of snow on the ground but knowing that you don’t need to fight through traffic to make it to the office because you can be just as productive from home using I’m InTouch. Avoid shoveling, warming the car up for an hour and the dangerous and slow roads by simply logging in to your PC from your computer at home.

Installing I’m InTouch on your workstation takes only a few minutes but will lead to hours of gained productivity. You will not need to install any software on your computer at home (unless you want to be able to remotely access that computer too) which means you can take remote control of your workstation from virtually any computer in the world! So even if you are traveling halfway across the world you can still use your computer at work just as if you were sitting at it.

I’m InTouch doesn’t just allow you to stay productive during a snowstorm; during any situation where you cannot make it to the office you can still take PC remote control of your workstation and stay productive. If you own a business, you need to install I’m InTouch on all your business’ PCs to ensure your business can keep running smoothly through any situation. Regardless of the size of your operation, I’m InTouch is a cost effective business continuity solution that turns your organization into a mobile force.

It’s not too late to check out the September 2009 edition of 01 Communique’s remote access newsletter. This month’s newsletter includes:

• A preview of I’m InTouch version 8.0’s new online meeting support
• An update on 01 Communique’s patent litigation against Citrix Systems Inc.
• Information on the difference between the “Computer Name” and “Nickname” in I’m InTouch Premium
• How a computer repair firm uses I’m InTouch
• A chance to win 3 months of free I’m InTouch PC remote control service

Read it here.

Security is probably the most important aspect to consider when allowing PC remote control of your desktop computer. At 01 Communique, we know that you need to feel completely sure that when you provide remote access to your computers, only authorized users will have access.  This is why all of our remote access and remote control solutions have been designed from the ground up with your security in mind.

Some examples of how I’m InTouch protects your security:

• Includes end-to-end128-bit  SSL data encryption
• Stores log in passwords only on your PC, not on any other server
• Requires dual passwords for log in
• retains all OS-level access controls already in place on your PC
• Lock-out after multiple failed log in attempts
• Session terminates after period of inactivity you define
• No remote access  session data is stored on any server
• There is no need to open ports on your firewalls

Learn more about I’m InTouch’s remote access security features.

01 Communique’s July 2009 remote access newsletter has just been released with all the latest PC remote control news and information.

This month’s newsletter features:

• 01 Communique’s new customer referral program for I’m InTouch subscribers. If you are an I’m InTouch subscriber, you may be eligible to receive 2 free bonus months of service for each customer you refer. This means that if you refer 6 of your friends and they subscribe annually, you could receive 1 year of free remote access.
• Read about a Professor who uses I’m InTouch work smart.
• Learn about the benefits of each of I’m InTouch’s remote desktop viewing modes.
• And much more!

Read the newsletter here or look for it in your Inbox.

The TV show Get Connected featured the I’m InTouch remote access software in late 2007.  The show is a bit old but it does provide an excellent demonstration of the software in action. The segment is just over 3 minutes long which is proof that taking PC remote control using I’m InTouch is really, really fast.  You can view the video here.

One of the few limitations of remote access solutions like I’m InTouch is that in order to remotely take PC remote control, you need to be able to connect to the Internet. While this is less and less of a problem with the spread of Wi-Fi networks, there can still be times when you are on the road and cannot get a connection (with Summer here, camping and the cottage come to mind immediately).  This is where 3G wireless Internet comes in handy.

01 Communique is now offering 3G (actually 3.5G to be precise) wireless Internet data plans along with I’m InTouch starting at a special price of $49.95.  This exclusive offer includes a FREE I’m InTouch SecureKEY and FREE 3.5G mobile Internet stick. It’s the perfect way to stay InTouch when you are traveling for business or pleasure this summer no matter where you are.

Click here for complete details

The terms remote access and remote control tend to be used interchangeably by most people but in reality, there is a slight difference between the two.

Remote Access can be used as a catch-all term for all processes where you remotely access or engage in PC Remote Control. However, the term itself refers to simply being able to access your computer, it does not always mean you can remotely control your desktop. For instance, with I’m InTouch you can remotely access your email and files from virtually any wired or wireless device with a web browser and Internet connection.

Remote Control refers to specifically being able to control your computer’s desktop to run programs, etc. The requirements for remotely controlling a computer are more specific than remote access and generally require either a computer or laptop with a broadband Internet connection. Additionally, some Pocket PCs and Smartphones can also be used to remotely control a computer.

A software as a service (SaaS) solution, such as the I’m InTouch remote access software, offers many advantages for businesses compared to a standard VPN solution.  A few of the benefits are discussed below:

Costs

With a SaaS solution like I’m InTouch, the only cost you will need to absorb is an annual license fee for each computer you want to provide remote access capabilities to.  With I’m InTouch this will generally be around $100 per license annually.

A VPN solution will generally force you to spend a lot more. There are the initial setup costs of purchasing the hardware and hiring someone to install and configure the VPN.  Then there are the costs of maintaining the VPN which can include Server electricity costs, replacing server hardware as it breaks down, and the IT personel required to do the maintaining.

Bottom Line:  A SaaS like I’m InTouch provides cost savings and certaincy.

Administration

With SaaS remote access solutions like I’m InTouch, the Administrator has full access and control from a central webpage. By logging in to their Administrator page, the IT manager can  easily view and access any computer with the remote access software installed, even if the computer is not on the same network. This makes managing multiple computers incredibly easy and efficient, even if you do not have a technical background.

On the other hand, with a VPN, it is incredibly difficult to manage and administer all your computers. You will probably not have any central administration controls and will thus need to manually keep track of each PC’s information.

Bottom Line:  SaaS provides you with central control of your remote access network while VPNs do not

Security

With a Saas solution, you can be completely confidant that your information will stay confidential and that no viruses will be able to infect your machines due to a PC remote control session. With SaaS solutions like I’m InTouch, the remote user is only presented with a replication of their desktop screen, none of the actual files are transfered to the remote computer (unless the user specifically transfers a file).  It is almost as if the monitor sitting on the users desk at the office was moved to whereever they were but the computer itself was still in the office.

With a VPN, spyware, malware, and viruses may be able to infect the office workstation during the remote session since it is probably not a screen sharing technology being used.

Bottom Line:  SaaS provides increased security since your data is never exposed to harmful threats that could be residing on the remote computer.

Try out the I’m InTouch Premium remote access solution  and experience the difference for yourself.

If your job requires you to remotely support company computers in a variety of locations, 01 Communique’s I’m OnCall remote support solution can make your life a lot easier. Instead, of traveling to an employee’s computer to install updates or diagnose problems, take PC remote control of their computer using the I’m OnCall help desk software.  No software needs to be pre-installed on either the employee’s or your computer so you can remotely support it from any PC in the world.

Just imagine, you have the day off and are relaxing at home when your boss calls you because he or she has a problem with their computer. In the past, you would have had to travel to your office to see what was wrong but not anymore. Remote take control of their PC or Mac from your home computer to instantly diagnose the problem and fix it. Your day off is not ruined and your boss is happy.

Try out I’m OnCall for yourself today

Enterprise Security Today reported that the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) found that about 36 million records were potentially breached in 2008 with businesses accounting for about 37 percent of these breaches. One of the more interesting suggestions made by the ITRC was “organizations should limit the number of people who may take information out of the workplace and set safe procedures for data storage.”

An interesting point is that by deploying the I’m InTouch SecurePC Remote Access Terminal, employers  can limit the number of people who take information outside the workplace without reducing the number of people who can work outside the office. Employees can take PC remote control of their workstation using the SecurePC and I’m InTouch to run any program on their office PC as needed. No data is transferred outside the secure office network so there is zero risk of a data breach occuring. Even if the SecurePC is lost or stolen, there is no way anyone could use it to access your network envirnoment since they do not have access to your I’m InTouch login information.

Learn more about the SecurePC.