WebEx debuts PC remote control service

A very telework friendly place, Network World equips us with notebook PCs connected to the network via an IPSec VPN and Web Outlook. We have everything we need, sure. But at what cost?

Let’s just say you’ll never come across one of our IT guys doing a crossword puzzle. 

Our level of remote access is out of reach for small firms with little IT support, for government agencies, schools and non-profits with tiny IT budgets. And it’s overkill for independent professionals. That’s why the rise of easy-to-use PC remote-control services - or “personal remote access” tools - is such a boon for telework.

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A very telework friendly place, Network World equips us with notebook PCs connected to the network via an IPSec VPN and Web Outlook. We have everything we need, sure. But at what cost?

Let’s just say you’ll never come across one of our IT guys doing a crossword puzzle. 

Our level of remote access is out of reach for small firms with little IT support, for government agencies, schools and non-profits with tiny IT budgets. And it’s overkill for independent professionals. That’s why the rise of easy-to-use PC remote-control services - or “personal remote access” tools - is such a boon for telework.

GoToMyPC launched the mainstream market, but took it on the chin from IT for causing security and management headaches, and from users for the high cost. GoToMyPC Personal costs $19.95 per month, per PC, which adds up.

Tech people know a hundred different ways to remotely access a PC using free utilities or tools they already use for tech support. (Just type “VNC” into Google.) But for the rest of us, GoToMyPC has been the only game in town. But that’s changing.

3am Labs stepped up last year with LogMeIn, a free service that provides basic remote control and strong security. LogMeIn Pro, which costs $12.95 per month, adds features such as remote printing and file sharing.

Buffalo Technology recently introduced a broadband router that includes PC remote control (using VNC) and a VPN server. The Wireless Secure Remote Gateway costs about $175 and doesn’t charge a monthly fee for remote access. Network-attached storage boxes, such as those from Mirra, offer remote access to network data and will likely add PC remote control in the future.

And now, WebEx Communications last week announced MyWebExPC, a PC remote-access service that runs over the company’s private network. For its Web conferencing service and now for its remote access, WebEx uses a proprietary switching platform called MediaTone to create real-time connections among multiple computers. WebEx says MediaTone provides 99.9% reliability and uniform performance around the world.

Like 3am Labs, WebEx is offering free and Pro versions. Available now through April 1, WebEx is offering the Pro version free for up to five host computers. In April, the Pro version will cost $9.95 per PC.

The Pro version offers unique features, such as telephone authentication. When you initiate a session, the network calls your pre-set phone number. Upon answering, you input a PIN to authenticate the session.

There’s also the ability to lock out access to specific applications running on the host PC. Say you only need access to e-mail; for added peace of mind, you can lock out access to your sales database or financial application. Currently, you can’t lock out access to specific data or folders, but we might see that in a future version. Pro also features file transfer and remote printing.

Remote PC access is the first in a series of tools WebEx plans to offer under the MyWebExPC brand. Stay tuned. In the coming months, we’ll update what’s new with other players in the market.

Read more about broadband access/vpn in Network World's Broadband Access/VPN section.