Cloud On The Cheap

Larger companies are working on strategic initiatives to move their in-house data centers to the cloud. The advantages are both financial and the ability to work from just about any location, fixed or mobile. But what about smaller operations? Is there any way to gain some of these advantages for the SMB?

Here’s a cloud app that you may be overlooking because it was around long before the cloud was cool. You probably don’t even think “cloud” when you hear the name. Yet, cloud it is. The application? GoToMyPC.

GoToMyPC? Isn’t that the software that lets you remotely log into your computer? Indeed it is. Think about it, though. How much difference is there philosophically between bringing up the screen from your desktop PC while you are sitting at a restaurant, and then running all the apps that are back at the office, and running those same apps from a private cloud?

In this case, you have created your own private cloud without the need to contract for Infrastructure or Software as a Service.

The idea behind GoToMyPC is that you most likely have one major computing environment but would like to be able to use it wherever you happen to be. For smaller companies that primary computer is likely a PC running Windows or a Mac running OS X. Out in the field you may be accessing that computer with a laptop, notebook, netbook or even and iPad. Yes, if you are a GoToMyPC subscriber, there’s a free app for that in the iTunes App Store.

GoToMyPC might rightly be called a remote desktop. What it does is replicate the desktop of your base computer on a remotely located computer or iPad. You see just what you would if you were sitting at your desk. You can then run applications, look up data and even transfer files back and forth between your office PC and your remote PC.

How does it do that? The answer is in downloadable software that runs on the PC you want to access. It gives screen, keyboard and mouse access to the computer that you are logged into somewhere else. All of this is done over encrypted links so that you don’t lose security just because you are operating remotely.

Since this system depends on the computer you want to access rather than some server in the data center, you’ll need to leave your office machine on in order to gain access. But, hey, if you wanted to access any other cloud application the servers powering that app would have to be up and running. Strictly speaking, there is a GoToMyPC communications server that relays encrypted data packets between host and remote computers. You know, a cloud based server.

The PC to PC version of GoToMyPC has more features than the Mac version, but both give you remote access to either a Mac or PC from a Mac, PC or iPad. GoToMyPC has the ability to let you access up to 20 computers remotely. Larger companies can get a professional or corporate version that adds more users and an administrator. A thousand users? No problem. The corporate version is just what you need.

Does this sound like something you could make good use of? Why not try it free for 30 days and then see if you can live without it anymore. If you find you can’t, it’s an affordable business and professional tool that expands the capability of the computers you already have. Get started with your 30 day free trial of GoToMyPC right now.

Set Up Secure Remote Computer Access

Have you wondered how to connect to a remote desktop while you are on a business trip, working from home or at a remote office or on a business trip? There's any easy way to do this and you can give it a try for free.

The technology you are looking for is called remote access. It's where you establish a secure link so that one computer can use another as if you were sitting right in front of the distant monitor and keyboard. With remote access, you don't have to worry about having the same applications and files on your desktop and laptop PCs and then keeping them in sync. You simply use your laptop to remote log into your distant desktop and then run applications, upload and download files and even print remotely. You colleagues may wonder why the printer is running in your dark office, but you'll know and you can pick up the printouts when you get back.

Remote access capability might sound like it's leaving a way in for hackers and others who would do you harm. But set up with a password protected encrypted connection and you actually have a security advantage. A lot of business data loss isn't caused by outside forces breaking through your firewall. It's from employees who download sensitive data to their laptop computers so they can work while traveling or at home. Inevitably, some of these machines get left in taxis or otherwise acquired by outsiders. Your precious customer files and business documents need to be kept securely at the company office and nowhere else. If you need access to the data, use your office computer or remote access capability. But leave the files themselves where they should be.

The same is true for personal information. Do you really want to be carrying a laptop with all your banking, brokerage, medical and tax information or other sensitive data? Somewhere between the bus, the airport, the taxi, and the hotel room there could be an opportunity to set the machine down and forget it or have it snatched by someone who thinks it's worth a few dollars. Imagine their surprise when they find a wealth of personal info to sell to the highest bidder. Don't carry this information with you. If you need to get to it while you are on the go, use your remote access to view your files and download only what you need.

So, how do you set up secure remote access? One easy to use program that does it is GoToMyPC. It's a system consisting of a small software package that you download to your desktop computer and specialized servers at GoToMyPC. You leave your desktop computer running and connected to the Internet while you are away. When you want access, you log-in to a secure Web site running on the servers. You're not directly dialing into the desktop itself. The connection is brokered by GoToMyPC and is encrypted end to end to make it secure.

From your remote vantage point, your browser sees what you'd see if you were sitting in front of your desktop PC hundreds or thousands of miles away. You can open folders, run applications, upload and download files, and print just as if you were there. Everything is compressed and optimized for speed, so you won't experience time lags in your session.

Does this sound like something that would work for you? If so, learn more and get a Free Trial plus 10% Off on GoToMyPC Remote Access.

Take Your Office PC With You

Road warriors and telecommuters have their trusty notebook computers ready to do business. But what happens when you discover, to your horror, that the files you need are still back on the office desktop PC and nowhere else? Do you live without or get in the car and make that long drive back. Oh, you've just flown to the opposite coast? I guess it's live without. Or is it?

What if you could have your desktop PC delivered anywhere you happen to be at a moment's notice? Wouldn't that completely eliminate the anxiety of whether you've loaded the right files and all of them? It sure would. In fact, you wouldn't need duplicates of all your files. You wouldn't need the applications either. Just your trusty road machine and an application that magically turns any computer into your office computer.

That application is GoToMyPC and you can try it free. GoToMyPC falls into category of remote access software or KVM application. KVM, which stands for Keyboard Video Mouse, is widely used in data centers to operate multiple computers from one central location. You select the computer you want to operate and your keyboard, video and mouse are actually running that machine just as if they were directly connected to it. Basic KVM adapters use switches and wires to make these connections. An IP based KVM application can run on the corporate LAN or over the Internet.

GoToMyPC gives you access to your computer over the Internet from wherever you happen to be. All you need is the software and a broadband connection. You register, download and install the GoToMyPC client on the host computer. That's usually your office machine, although it can be any PC you choose. Have several PCs you need to access? Set them all up. It only takes a few minutes each.

Access the desired host computer over the Internet using any other PC and a Web Browser at GoToMyPC. A self-launching plug-in will give you access to your host PC. Your screen will look just the way it would if you were sitting in front of the host. Your keyboard and mouse operate the host from wherever you happen to be. You can't tell if the computer is in the next room or across the country. That's the beauty of remote access.

Go ahead. Check your email, access files, run applications, print documents. You ARE operating your host computer. Oh, but is it secure? GoToMyPC uses AES encryption using 128-bit keys and dual passwords. You have the option to use one-time passwords for the maximum in security.

How do you buy this service? You pay month to month or buy an annual plan to save 25%. That includes unlimited access, ability to move the host software from machine to machine as needed, and all service and software upgrades. Tech support is also included. There are special packages for IT people who need to administer multiple users, and for corporate-wide use.

But before you shell out anything, you really need to give this a try and see what it can do for you. Get a Free Trial of GoToMyPC plus 10% Off!