Home > Ask the Security Experts > Application Security Questions & Answers > Which Web services provide the best remote help desk support?
Ask The Security Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Which Web services provide the best remote help desk support?

Michael Cobb, featured expert EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Michael Cobb, featured expert

Pose a Question
Other Security Categories
Meet all Security Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 02 December 2006
I work for a help desk, and we have a user environment that stretches across several U.S. states. What are good support tools that extended domains can use to perform remote help?


BROWSE BY TAG
Application Security,   Application and Platform Security,   Web Security Tools and Best Practices,   Web Services Security and SOA Security,   VIEW ALL TAGS

Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


RELATED CONTENT
Application Security
Are Web application penetration tests still important?
What does 'invoked by uid 78' mean?
How secure are iPhone App Store mobile applications?
What security software should be installed on Internet café computers?
Are message stubs a secure part of email retention policies?
How does a Web server model differ from an application server model?
Can Google Earth and other mash-up applications threaten enterprise security?
Do European laws prevent a U.S. company from blocking spam?
Can one antivirus program be used to get rid of spyware?
How to prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) session hijacking

Web Services Security and SOA Security
Cryptographers say cloud computing can be secured
Information security book excerpts and reviews
Will cloud computing and virtualization save the day?
MySpace, Facebook ignoring basic principles of security
Kaminsky: DNS flaw capable of attacks on many fronts
Kaminsky on DNS rebinding attacks, hacking techniques
Which operating system can best secure an FTP site?
IBM's Watchfire halts network research, focuses on Web apps
How does identity propagation work?
Citrix adds Web security with acquisition

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary


Providing quality, cost-effective remote help to a distributed workforce is a growing challenge for many organizations. More and more workers are telecommuting or logging into the company network while out on the road. Remote users are often frustrated when they have a problem that isn't resolved quickly. This can lead to users trying to resolve problems themselves, often making things worse and adding to their frustration and loss of productivity.

In the past, when dealing with very small organizations, I have used various Windows tools, such as Terminal Services and Remote Assistance in Windows XP. However, these options are not really practical when dealing with a large number of users, particularly since there can be interoperability problems between operating systems if the remote computer is running a different version of Windows.

The increasing demand for efficient remote support has brought about many Web-based services that provide the ability to remotely view and control customers' or users' PCs. By taking control of the problem PC, help desk technicians can usually resolve problems faster and with less stress for all concerned. Many of the new Web-based services use a similar permission-based technology as Microsoft's Remote Assistance, where the user is required to send a small program that allows a third party to access their computer via the Internet. However, the new Web services differ in that they are geared to scale for help desk use. They include issue tracking and support users with a variety of system configurations.

  • Laplink Software Inc., the people who brought us the first PC-to-PC connection cables, have a very competitively priced Web-based remote help solution called RemoteAssist. Like similar services, there is no requirement for prior software installation on the remote machine, and all connections between machines are SSL- encrypted.
  • GoToAssist from Citrix Systems Inc. provides a range of incident-resolution tools, plus reports that enable support staff to measure their productivity. The built-in surveys allow you to assess user feedback and review historical trends.
  • Another service, Netopic Inc.'s eCare On-Demand Remote Support Center Application is available as licensed software or as a hosted solution.
  • For large organizations, HP's eSupport portal offers several nice features. It captures end-user service history so that users can easily refer back to past problems, as well as follow links to automated fixes for common issues.

    One of the troubles you'll have when introducing Web-based help or e-support is getting users out of the habit of automatically calling the help desk in response to a problem. In order to stop unnecessary calls to the help desk, eSupport proactively informs users of any known technical issues and the status of an individual's service request.

    More information:

  • Learn which enterprise single sign-on options are available for remote logons.
  • Use VPNs to extend secure remote access to your telecommuters.




  • Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
    Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
    Browse our Expert Advice



    Find Security Solutions for Your Business
    Targeted Security Channel Tips for Resellers, Integrators and Consultants
    TechTarget Security Media
    Information Security View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
    Information Security Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
    SearchSecurity.com
    HomeNewsMagazineMultimediaWhite PapersLearningAdviceTopicsEventsAbout Us

    About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
    TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

    TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




    All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
      TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts