Q: What are my options for working remotely?

A1: You have four primary options

1) Carry your files with you on your laptop – We only recommend this when all other options are unavailable because of the likelihood you will lose files or have version problems.

Description: Copy your key files to your laptop before you travel. When you return copy updated files back to the server.

Advantages:
- No internet connection required
- No problems printing to your local printer
- Fastest experience

Limitations:
- Files are not backed up. If the laptop is lost so are the files. Alternatively you
need a backup solution for the laptop.
- Only you can work on the files because they are not stored in shared space on
a server
- There can be multiple versions of files as you work on the copy on your
laptop and colleagues work on the copies left on the server
- You can only work on the files you have with you. If you forgot to copy
something before you left you have a problem.

2) Work on your laptop using a VPN connection

Description: Install all needed software on your laptop, but keep data on the server. Use“VPN” technology to connect back to the office so that you can access files and e-mail on the company servers while traveling. You click on a desktop icon to work remotely.

Advantages:
- You have access to all company files and e-mail
- There is only one copy of the file, the one on the server. There is no
wondering who has the most recent revision.
- You can easily print to your local printer
- Once you open a file, working on it is fast

Limitations:
- When you travel you may sometimes find that the internet connection
provided by the hotel , airport, etc. does not support your VPN connection.
- Opening a large file over the VPN can be slow
- You need to carry your own laptop configured with your VPN settings and
your software, you can’t just sit down at any old computer and work
- Certain database programs e.g. Quickbooks or ACT! simply don’t work over a VPN
- The quality of your experience is limited by the speed of your internet
connection. We don’t recommend using a VPN over dial-up connections.

3) Use a Terminal Services connection

Description: Allows you to remotely control a virtual desktop in the office ala
PCAnywhere or Timbuktu. However, special software allows many people to have their own virtual desktop at the same time using only one computer, a “terminal server” in the office.

Advantages:
- You don’t need to have your own specially set up computer. Terminal
Services works from almost any Windows computer with an internet
connection. No prior setup is required. You click a web link to work
remotely.
- You have access to all company programs, e-mail and files
- Works even for very large files and for database type programs like ACT and
Quickbooks

Limitations:
- Not a good solution for remote work involving image manipulation i.e. if you
are working with picture files like JPEGs or GIFs, using programs like
Autocad or editing PowerPoints that contain a lot of embedded graphics or
pictures
- Some internet cafes, Kinko’s and customer locations will lock security down
on their workstations so tightly that Terminal Services does not work
- Sometimes remote printing will not work without help from an IT support
person.
- The quality of your experience is limited by the speed of your internet
connection. We don’t recommend DSL connections slower than 384 Kbps.

4) Use Outlook Web Access

Description: Allows you to access Outlook functionality such as email, calendar and contacts.

Advantages:
- You don’t need to have your own specially set up computer. This works from
almost any Windows computer with an internet connection. No prior setup is
required. You click a web link to work remotely.
- You can easily print to your local printer

Limitations:
− You only have access to generic Outlook functionality. Any personalized
settings such as signatures don’t appear.
− You don’t have access to company files or programs
− You can’t print to remote printers
− The quality of your experience is limited by the speed of your internet
connection. We don’t recommend DSL connections slower than 384 Kbps.

A2: For information on remote access via handhelds, please visit
www.xantion.com/HandheldBuyingGuide.

Please call 866.928.8746 or email support@xantrion.com if:
− you need a VPN icon, Terminal Services web link or Outlook Web Access
link
− you would like VPN, Terminal Services, Outlook Web Access or Handheld
access set up for your company
− this article doesn’t provide the answers you require