[vc_row ct_row_stretch=””][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″ height_on_tabs=”10″ height_on_tabs_portrait=”10″ height_on_mob_landscape=”10″ height_on_mob=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row ct_row_stretch=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]Recently America had a major event happen. As a result of this many large employers are requiring employees to work from home. I will be adding to this article as my time permits.
If you are not a large company you maybe asking what options do I have. This blog will go over what you need so your employees and yourself can work from home.
Phone:
Many businesses have moved to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Instead of using the traditional phone that has a PBX or landlines in a business they take advantage of the Internet. The pros out way the cons. Probably the biggest con with VoIP phones if the Internet goes down, you have no access phones. The pro side has many more benefits including: you can add a cell phone as a fail over (internet goes down calls go to a cell phone), you can take your phone anywhere, just plug it into an Internet port on your router, and international calls can be much cheaper.
Now the question you are probably thinking about more than phones.
How do I access all of my applications and data?
This answer will take a little more explaining because there are different options available. Ask three different IT consultant you may get three different answers. So this will hopefully provide you a little more knowledge.
Cloud apps, a lot has been talked about moving your data to the Cloud. It does make life easier because you can access your data from anywhere. A couple of downsides, security your information sits on someone else’s server that you have no access to, if you want to get your information back the vendor makes it difficult for you to switch back, and if the Internet goes down you cannot access your data.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) this provides a secure connection either between two offices or an end user and the main office. This option may require a different router/firewall. If you are using AT&T they make things a little more difficult to set up VPNs. Another important aspect is your Internet speed, AT&T DSL may work fine for one user, but after that it things might get slower. Spectrum and fiber optic Internet speed is much better.
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), is a protocol that allows you to access your computer remotely, with this you now have all of your resources, applications, printers, data, etc. RDP provides a faster connection because it is only sending screen updates back and forth, your PC in your office is doing all the work. In the past consultants would do a port forward so when you typed in your public IP address it would forward to the computer you wanted. Today this is very dangerous as there is a vulnerability and there are bots just trying to exploit this. Today DK Systems will not open up your port to the Internet, instead we integrate VPN and RDP for a secure connection. If your IT consultant offers to open your router/firewall to allow RDP through you need to look for a new consultant.
Cloud based remote access. This is a nice option and there are many to choose from. You install an agent on the computer you would like access to, go home sign into a website and you have access to your computer similar to RDP. Some examples: Splashtop, TeamViewer, LogMeIn, etc. When looking at these options watch for concurrent connections, some may allow you to install this on several PCs, but only access one at a time.
Here at DK Systems we are available to help you set up your work from home solution. Call today to speak to someone: 414-764-4465[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]