Anybody who’s anybody in the IT game has heard of remote administration tools such as RealVNC, Remote Desktop, and Altiris Carbon Copy. However, they may or may not have heard of LogMeIn. Aside from having several professional and enterprise uses for securely managing workstations/servers from remote locations over the Internet without requiring client-side encrypted protocols and layers aside from the simple browser plugin, you might want to take note of the most important feature of all – it’s also free. That is, if you don’t need any fancy features such as file sharing, remote sound, and remote printing.
So what is LogMeIn exactly?
LogMeIn is a tool that runs in your web browser and allows you to connect to any computer in the world and remote control it as if you were sitting in front of it. However, instead of installing software and configuring multiple network settings to allows you to do this, LogMeIn just needs a small client program installed on each computer you wish to administer, and a browser plugin that allows your remote computer to establish the remote session. Encryption and security is performed by LogMeIn’s hard working servers, so no matter what capability your computer is, you’ll be able to perform tasks, manage data, or access applications on the remote computer that are only on that computer, without the risk of compromising security on the computer you are viewing it on.
What’s the buzz then?
It looks like LogMeIn has been busy as a bee recently. Just last week, they launched a complete overhaul of their website with a brand new design, as well as the client application to match. The new color scheme is beautiful, but sacrifices a bit of bandwidth to replace their previous minimalistic design. The result is a stylized feel that gives current and/or returning users a refreshing new look. However, the design is not the only thing they’ve unveiled.
LogMeIn Central is the new product offered that enhances LogMeIn Free, Pro, and Hamachi. Judging from what I’ve read about Central, it serves as a client-side application that not only allows you to make multiple remote connections simultaneously, but also allows background remote sessions for those who don’t wish to interrupt active users but still perform maintenance tasks that would otherwise take time away from the daily workload. Furthermore, you get reporting and inventory benefits as well.
Who should be using this?
Anybody could, especially if they have IT experience. It could be the guru in the family who doesn’t want to make a 2 hour drive to Mom and Dad’s just to fix their e-mail settings. It could be for the tech who helps out his raid members across the world with configuring firewall port settings for World Of WarCraft. However, it’s also useful for the office accountant who forgot to bring a spreadsheet from home, wants to access an application from home that isn’t sanctioned for use at work, or just wants to surf the Internet during some downtime without compromising work security and policies.
Should I sign up for this?
Sure, why not? You have nothing to lose, and it’s free! In addition, they occasionally offer free trials of their paid services, but you can opt out and continue to use the free service only.
Do you work for LogMeIn?
No, but I sure wish I do. They wouldn’t hire me because I don’t have formal education anyway; but I think education is overrated.
Ammyy Admin is quite useful if you are looking for a remote control program very easy to use and do not give you any annoyance to the configuration of ports, firewalls and more.
I’ve used LogMeIn and is nice. I like the several solutions-in-one approach. I’m hooked on RHUB’s 6-in-1 servers now. It has everything.
Oh snap, people actually read this blog? Like 5 years later. Hahaha. 😀
Anyway, I switched to TeamViewer a few years ago, shortly after writing this. Thanks to the Quickstart version, I can get friends and family all over the world connected without having it eat up memory when it’s idle unlike with LogMeIn, whose similar functionality is TSR and not free. I can also do more than just remote control these days, but it’s not that important for me. If I were still in IT, I’d be looking at products like RHUB in an enterprise environment.