One of the challenges is to choose which features are needed and what methods we will use to connect to and manage PCs remotely.

For those clients who have a Microsoft Windows domain, connecting remotely to a server running Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or a version of the Small Business Server — http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/default.aspx –is easy to accomplish.  This allows a wide range of services to be monitored and managed remotely, from managing computers and users on the domain, to setting up and configuring email accounts, to configuring and running data backups, to managing security for the network.  In addition, many individual workstations can be remotely accessed and managed via the functions provided by the Microsoft Server OS.  Technicians can access user profiles, setup printers and file sharing, or install, remove, or configure software, or even troubleshoot and resolve problems a user may be experiencing.  Lastly, the Windows Server/domain environment allows for the possibility of all sorts of reports, logs, and system tools that make managing many computers and resources on a single network much simpler.  And all this can be done via a web browser or a Remote Desktop connection from our offices or remote locations!

For clients not using Microsoft servers or not housing a domain environment for their machines, there are still plenty of options.  A wide range of products now exists on the market for other kinds of remote PC management and access.  From LogMeIn — https://secure.logmein.com/ – to Citrix’s GoToAssist/GoToMeeting — http://www.gotomeeting.com/fec/ –, to Ciscos’ WebEx — http://webex.com/ –, to Microsoft’s LiveMeeting — http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/live-meeting/?CTT=1 –, to other less known but equally useable tools such as those based on the VNC protocol (RealVNC — http://realvnc.com/ – and UltraVNC — http://www.uvnc.com/ –are only two examples), there is a huge array of tools and options to choose from.  Varying in usability, price, ease of use and feature set, all these programs offer some methods of getting access to computers remotely over the internet.  Some, such as the VNC variants, require much more configuration and are very limited in their features beyond connecting to desktops remotely.  Others, such as several of LogMeIn’s products, allow for asset management, inventories, custom reports, and alerts when certain conditions on client machines are reached.

Depending on the needs of the client, their budget, and the amount and variety of uses they put their computers to in the workplace, one or more of these tools can be used by technicians at NSI Partners in providing our TechConnect services to clients.  Assessing the needs and capabilities of each client, we are able to select a set of tools that work best for each scenario.

All of these solutions share several key factors in common. First, they allow clients to save costs by not having to necessarily have an IT employee or department on the payroll full time.  Second, they allow the clients to acquire and pay for only the services that meet their technology requirements.  Third, remote support further reduces the costs of contracted IT support by reducing travel expenses and infrastructure.

For today’s small or medium business that has come to rely on computers but doesn’t have the budget for a part- or full- time IT employee or department, outsourcing IT services and using all the technologies available in today’s world, such as those provided by NSI Partners’ TechConnect, can save loads of money, energy, and keep their technology working for them, rather than feeling ensnared by it!

However, in addition to learning about data security, this serves as marketing research for an upcoming newsletter article as well as other applications. Further, as these take off, we will be able to attend many more shows much more cost-effectively.

The key is to require attendees to complete profiles to enter. If real trade shows did that, they would be much more powerful networking opportunities. But online, people are used to completing a form before signing in, so it’s much more seamless.

One thing, though, as wired technology spreads, people pay less attention to being present where they are. More and more, it seems customary to be doing email on a laptop in a meeting. I can’t blame folks–I too find it a struggle to keep up with my inbox. But now, as I attend this show, a client meeting, keep up on email, IM and social media, it will be a challenge to pay full attention to anyone for the next hour or so.

You wonder how much business can really get done if we virtually devolve into a room full of teenagers texting away to others not present–while on ipods! Still, the community-building potential of UBM’s interface is tremendous. I even liked picking the avatar!

Sleek Style Over Hopefully Lots of Substance

That still leaves the incomplete syncing. I guess I can compromise and use one portable device for Internet browsing and the other for Outlook, but I just can’t afford yet another technology wrestling match these days.

Of course, technology problems aren’t the best way to get me thankful for Thanksgiving, so I got some new perspective from Louis CK’s appearance on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien at Everything is Amazing; Nobody’s Happy. He probably didn’t need to slam the entire Millennial Generation, but his comments are both insightful and hysterical. Hopefully, with a little more insight and laughter, I’ll soon be amazed with my HTC Imagio in a good way….

Meanwhile, Happy Thanksgiving to all!