Remote access programs are becoming a necessity in today’s digital, on-the-go work environments. Remote Utilities has been a leader in remote access technology since 2004 and has recently released a free version of their award-winning software program for personal use. While a few commercially-geared features are missing, this free version is becoming an increasingly popular way for individuals to manage their personal home and home office networks.
What Is a Remote Access Program?
There are two parts to any remote access software program. The viewer is installed on a base computer that serves as the system administrator, and each workstation downloads a version of the host package. With these two components in place, a user can access, view, and even control the remote desktops from the administrator unit. This type of program can serve many purposes, but is most often used in remote assistance, training, and project collaborations. A good remote access program will let you perform practically any task whether you’re down the hall or across the world.
The Advantages of Remote Utilities
Many affordable remote access solutions are rather limited in their functionality. The free version of Remote Utilities includes most of the same features found in the full version. With control and view capabilities, users can access files, run programs, and perform a number of other tasks on one or more remote computers without ever leaving their desk. Remote Utilities is safe, secure, and extremely fast. Firewall bypass and proxy support are both included, and every transmission is fully encrypted for complete peace of mind.
What Are the Downfalls?
Even with its extensive feature set, Remote Utilities isn’t perfect. The biggest concern is for non-Windows users. Remote Utilities currently doesn’t support other operating systems, although Linux and Mac users may be able to get by with an emulator like Wine. A remote access program that is compatible with Apple devices should be available in the near future however. Remote Utilities is lacking in a few other areas as well. There are no options to share a single window or just a portion of the screen, for example. An integrated media player has also been left out of the feature lineup so video playback isn’t always as good as it could be.
Is Remote Utilities Right for You?
The best remote access program depends on your needs and your network. The average home user with a Windows based network will have no complaints about the free edition of Remote Utilities. Individuals who need more control over their remote access applications may benefit from the additional features included with a commercial license. The 30-day risk free trial will make it easier to decide if either version is right for you. At the end of the evaluation period, an Enterprise license is just $29.95 for a single remote desktop with an unlimited number of workstations.
A good remote access program can make it so much easier to keep your network running smoothly. From training to presentations to remote administration, Remote Utilities is the software of choice for thousands of IT professionals around the world and it is quickly becoming just as popular among individuals who need remote access to their home network.