Wherever you are, as long as you’re connected to the Internet, you can
initiate remote technical support sessions using only a web browser.
With
01
Communique I'm Oncall, no software needs to be pre-installed at the remote
end, so you can connect to new clients and take control of their PCs in moments.
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To prepare a remote session, you can either create a pre-configured email
containing an HTTP link or ask the user to input a code on your support web
page, which can be customised with your own company logo.
Once you’ve connected, you get remote control and file transfer – and that’s
it. Many features you might expect are absent.
The most noticeable omission is the lack of any integrated chat facility. If
you don’t want to fight for control over a Notepad window, you’ll have to use
the telephone or instant messaging to speak to your client.
Furthermore, it doesn’t come with any support tools, for example remote
viewing of critical system information, such as running processes or system
event logs. Instead, everything must be conducted via the remote-control
session.
On the administration side there are plenty of configuration and
customisation options.
You can edit the content of the automated user invitation email, create
categories of support incidents and build up a database of clients to which you
can attach notes and comments.
You can add multiple support technicians to your online team and search all
current and previous incidents.
It’s all very quick and easy, but I’m Oncall is not without competition and
is lacking in some areas. At $99 (approx £53)
per month, per seat, I’m Oncall works out about the same price as competitors
such as
Log
Me In Rescue.
System requirements Local system: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Server 2003
Internet Explorer 5.5 or later/Mozilla Firefox 1. Remote system: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Server 2003
Pros: Very easy to set up; no troublesome installation for
remote users; technicians can share licences Cons: No chat facility; lack of online features Overall: Easy to configure, use and manage, but light on
remote-support tools
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