In February the Northeast was hit with five major snow storms that closed many businesses and kept many customers home. If you lost one business day from each storm, you lost a whole week of business.
With all of the new technology currently available, there is no reason to lose any business due to bad weather or similar circumstances. There are many different ways to access your server files - and even your own desktop - from remote locations, including your home, whenever you need to. In this article I will talk about three different ways you can remotely and securely connect to your network.
1. Virtual Private Network (VPN) - A VPN is a secure "tunnel" to your internal network. In laymen's terms, a VPN is a way to access your company files from a remote location. There are many great uses for a VPN, including the ability to access files, email, even databases such as Quickbooks or ACT!. Accessing this information does require some up-front configuration, but once that is done using the VPN connection is as simple as entering a username and password and clicking "connect." Once you are connected to the VPN, you are immediately able to access your data the same way you would if you were in the office, although the processing speed is a little slower.
2. Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN) - A Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network uses browser-based technology to allow access to network resources. With an SSL VPN, a network appliance like the SonicWall SSL VPN 200 is placed at the customer office. Remote users access the network by opening their browser and going to the URL pointing specifically at the SSL VPN. SSL VPN's are one of the easiest and safest methods for remote access.
3. Third-Party Applications (i.e. "Go to my PC") - There are many third-party applications that allow you to connect to your network. Two of the most popular are "Go to my PC" and 'LogMeIn". Both applications allow you to log into their service and connect to your computer at work. There is a monthly fee associated with this service, and it does require extra software, but it is a great way to connect.
All of these remote access methods are secure. They do require some configuration before they can be used, but once the setup is complete you will have secure remote access to your network at anytime, from anywhere. You will no longer lose business because of the weather; you and your employees can work from home and your business will grow.
About the Author:
Kirk Hayes of Trinity Worldwide collaborates with DeckerWright Corporation in providing technology information to small and medium size businesses via our e-newsletters, blogs and websites.
For more information please contact DeckerWright.
