I know, I know. There is already too many remote access tools on the
market. Some of them are powerful and thorough, with well-deserved solid
reputation among the IT crowd. So why wasting time by talking about
another one? And still, I believe there is a reason.
Recently,
I started noticing a not very healthy tendency in the remote support
tools realm. Almost one half of the applications transformed into some
kind of web services, while a great share of the rest became overloaded
do-it-all solutions. As a result, many IT Admins and Support Departments
got stuck with slow and glitch-prone browser-based services that in
addition require registration for every single client. Others ended up
deploying monstrous software packages that allow you to access remote
computers, organize meetings, create whiteboards, share handouts, host
audio and video conferences, and even order pizza online (well, maybe
not exactly this one, but the tools are getting close!).
Some
tools have managed to keep their relatively slim shape but at what
price? They've built their brands and started charging premium fees
(looks like Apple pricing model to me).
Does it mean that
there is no neat, streamlined, and affordable alternatives in the new
brave world of remote support? The situation is not quite that
desperate. And I must admit that I picked TeamViewer's brand for no
particular reason other than its deserved popularity and well-known
name. After all, it's a solid tool and there is nothing wrong with
being feature-rich. Actually, If you have justified needs for all those
bells and whistles and you have deep pockets to afford them - great, go
for it.
However, if you are looking for a high-performance
lightweight remote support tool that would not require hours to deploy
and learn, and then days to train your clients, then take a closer look
at Inletex Easy Remote Control (ERC). Inletex is not a new player in
the remote support world. It's been around since 2003 and has pretty
solid and loyal user base. I've been a technical advisor for Inletex
since their early days and I can definitely endorse the Easy Remote
Control.
The idea behind this product was to provide a sleek
high-performance tool that is really easy to use. In version 4 Inletex
has delivered what I consider the ultimate client's experience: tiny
one-file Client module that your clients download and run with no
installation. After they started the application - no more clicks
required. Yup, not a single extra click. Believe me, it continuously
amazes customers to whom you provide remote support. I witnessed it
first hand on more than a few occasions.
If the following
feature set covers all your needs then consider Inletex Easy Remote
Control a viable and more cost-effective alternative to TeamViewer and
others.
- HTTP transport – works fast and seamlessly behind Firewalls, Proxy Servers, and NAT
- No installation required
- Client receives support in just one click
- Data encryption and compression
- File Transfer using simple Drag & Drop
- Windows logon screen control
- UAC dialog full control
- View overlay video (for video software and video codec troubleshooting)
- Automatic clipboard sync
- Sending Ctrl-Alt-Delete and any custom key combinations
- On-premise Gateway module available for private networks (Enterprise version only)
Free version with stripped-down functionality is available for personal use. Give it a try and
let me know what you think
Product page:
http://www.inletex.ca/products/inletex-easy-remote-control/
P.S. Inletex
is currently running a promotion for the latest Easy Remote Control 4.2
release. By downloading the free version you'll get a promotional code
for 20% discount on the awesome Pro version (which, in
my opinion, is already fair priced! ). According to the insider info,
the promotion will be over by the end of September.
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