CanWeb Internet Services Ltd. - Remote Access Uses Technology That Really Does Save Time

December 21, 2024

Remote Access Uses Technology That Really Does Save Time

Suppose you could access your company’s customer list, accounting system or other electronic information without having to go into the office. That would indeed save time.

The process is called remote access, which means that you can run your office computer from a distant location. It’s like having a big remote control at your command.

Say, for example, you have an expensive accounting program loaded into your office computer. But you’ve also got to spend time at an offsite branch location, manufacturing site or warehouse in another city. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get at your inventory list from the office computer while you are at the warehouse? Or staff at the other branch
could update their own customer lists?

It’s possible and easy to set up with a few technology pieces in place. First, you need internet connections at both ends. The main office should be connected all the time, using one of the high-speed services. The remote will work slowly with dialup, so you’ll appreciate a high-speed connection there too. After all, we’re still trying to save time.

Install a remote control program at both ends. A good one is pcAnywhere by Symantec (www.symantec.com) produced by the same people who make Norton Tools. Install a copy at both ends. While you are at it, now might be a good time to also update your anti-virus software. Next, you need to be able to access the office computer from anywhere out on the Net. Since the internet’s address numbers aren’t reliable (and they’re hard to remember) you should give your computer an Internet Name. A software tool such as DynIP (www.dynip.com) takes care of this part. You just need to install this at the office end.

Then, you leave your office computer running all the time, with pcAnywhere listening. It’s called host mode.

Now when you’re at the other site, you start up the other copy of pcAnywere in remote mode and connect back to the office. You can see your desktop screen with all your programs, just like you were there. Open your accounting program, get the inventory updated and boom, you’re done for the day!

Now that does save time!

David Grant (dgrant@canweb.com) is president of CanWeb Internet Services, developers of DynIP software www.dynip.com. CanWeb is a full-service development firm based in Sarnia, ON.