The genie’s out of the bottle. Since Covid-19 turned workplaces into ghost towns, remote working has switched from an occasional benefit into part of business life. And we’re not going back.
Before the pandemic, in December 2019, 15% of us worked remotely worldwide. Fast forward a year and that figure soared to a whopping 74% In June 2022, 36% of us said we expected to continue working hybridly in the future.
We couldn't do it without remote access tools (RATs), but we tend to take them for granted. So what are RATs, how and when should we use them, and are they secure?
As you’d expect, they’re tools that give us remote access to a central computer, network or systems. The great part is we can do it from anywhere with an internet connection.
And there’s more to it than just working like we’re on our office computer. Collaboration tools let teams work on projects together and share ideas and resources worldwide. As well as system-based products like Microsoft or Google Workspace, you can get a wide range of specially designed, top-rated remote work tools to suit you, like Slack, Asana and Miro.
IT teams can use remote support tools to provide technical support – taking control of our PC or laptop to diagnose and resolve technical issues while we watch the cursor whip across the screen and files magically open. Remote access software is also ideal for routine maintenance, allowing system administrators to install software updates, organise network settings, and monitor system performance.
The quick answer is no. While both allow collaborative working and access to files, cloud-based remote access lets you get your files anytime using any device. With remote desktop software, you can access a specific computer and everything on it from a device with the same installed software. Which option you choose depends on your IT, your security requirements, and how you want to work.
Equipping your business to work remotely usually means five easy steps:
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