Remotely accessing customer's computers

[pcproblems]

Hi People,

I run a small computer repair business. Until now, i've always visited customers or they've brought them here for work. I've noticed that some similar businesses offer to connect to their customer's computers remotely to solve problems.

I'd like to be able to do the same but am not sure how it all works. I've heard of programs like Logmein and team viewer but am not sure what the way forward is.

Many thanks

 

[Grinstead]

I don't use it on a regular bases but have found Logmein to do the job, there is even an app for the iphone. On one occasion I used Skype's screen sharing feature, I wasn't able to take control but was able to talk the client through whatever they had an issue with at the time.

With logmein, if I recall both parties have to have an account, or software installed?

 

[Seal-tech]

Another vote for logmein - the only problem is to use the free version you will need to install it on the customers PC first.
There is a remote helpdesk version of logmein but you have to pay for that.

You can sell the installation of logmein as part of a system health check and then you will be able to remotely support the customer.

*Forgot to mention - the free version is not for businesss use !*

 

[chip_y2kuk]

Crossloop


wwww.crossloop.com

you can take control, start a chat, even bill the customer through the software ( i think it uses paypal)

joe

 

[mcol]

realvnc -free, but you'd need a really good relationship with the customer for them to allow it.

 

[anandp]

I've used Real VNC, Teamviewer and Logmein and still use the last two.

RealVNC is great but a tad fiddly at times. I usually install both Teamviewer and Logmein. I find the Teamviewer interface more responsive than Logmein, but Teamviewer crashes every now and then, and has left me in a muddle when it was the only one I had installed on the remote machine.

So I installed Logmein to give me a second option (usually just to log in remotely and restart Teamviewer!).

 

[abpni-computer-solutions]

If you want an easy solution that works "right out of the box", I'd suggest "GoToAssist Express". Very simple to use, however there is a charge for the service.

A more complicated, but free solution, is to follow a guide I found. Google for "uvnc single click" and it's the first result

HTH

 

[eog]

Big thumbs up for Logmein. I have also used it on a pretty bad broadband connection without much pain.

 

[pcproblems]

Many thanks for all the suggestions people

 

[loubycee]

Hi Andy

One that someone tried using with me recently was YuuGuu, worth a look into as it seems to work well

 

[garyk]

Ive been using TeamViewer a great deal of late and very happy with it. Plus theres a Mac version so I can remote onto windows boxes just easily from OS X.

 

[heathcote123]

Hi People,

I run a small computer repair business. Until now, i've always visited customers or they've brought them here for work. I've noticed that some similar businesses offer to connect to their customer's computers remotely to solve problems.

I'd like to be able to do the same but am not sure how it all works. I've heard of programs like Logmein and team viewer but am not sure what the way forward is.

Many thanks

Hi Andy

Theres a lot of different options with this. We used to use VNC and dameware a lot, in a 'reverse connection'. This works well because you only buy the license once and you don't have to fiddle around port-forwarding anything at the customers end.

As a business, I personally ensure we avoid any 'subscription based' software like the ones you mentioned where possible - I don't like the commitment.

I'm currently evaluating 'simplehelp'. It's similar to bomgar & logmein etc but you don't pay a subscription at all, it's a one off cost. It does require you host it on a server (don't take that too literally - an xp box will do it), but setup is a snap and only requires a single port-forward if hosting it internally.

It's java based, so Client PC's will need to have a functioning java installation. It gives a lovely quick interface thats easy to link to your own website & you be connected to your customers in minutes. Once installed you can also add a permanent service so that you can reconnect after reboots etc.

It's cracking value too, with no reliance on a 3rd party service - think we'll be moving to it shortly.

Cheers

Richard