Computing out of the ether

One of the many major business advantages of broadband is the ability to access your computer remotely and work on documents on its hard disk whether you are at home or away on a business trip. With all the security and data implications attached to laptops and USB Flash sticks etc., companies of all sizes are turning to less accident-prone means of working out of the office.

Software applications to work remotely have been on the market for a couple of years, but you can experience roaming access to your computer for free with the web-based service LogMeIn.

The company has been operating for the past three years and now have over 15 million users. The basic package is free; LogMeIn makes its money by operating a range of support and technical advice services and offering pro versions with enhanced functionality.

To get started, register at the LogMeIn site, follow the set up wizard and you’re good to go in less than two minutes. To access your computer from anywhere in the world, login to the site using any internet-connected computer or wireless handheld PC and from the control panel select the icon of the computer you wish to access. Before you know it, you’ll be looking at a very familiar desktop wallpaper and be able to run applications, view files, access your Outlook email and even run system diagnostics.

The shortcoming of the free LogMeIn version is that the target computer needs to be on and LogMeIn running; nothing that couldn’t be overcome by a quick phone call or email during office hours. The pro monthly subscription package, though, lets users reboot their machine remotely to take full 24 x 7 advantage of LogMeIn’s capabilities. No matter which version is opted for, speed of access will always be determined by the bandwidth of the connection used to tunnel in remotely.

According to LogMeIn, their 15 million plus users rely on LogMeIn to access their documents, applications, music and photos - as well as to support digital devices - making LogMeIn the world's most widely used remote connectivity and support services provider.

Last year, LogMeIn added almost 12 million users—a 500 percent growth rate—and is now adding more than 1.5 million users each month.

“Two trends are taking hold: the proliferation and variety of devices that are part of our digital lives such as laptops, iPods, PDAs and cell phones (and soon home entertainment, cars, and who knows what) and the increasing desire that these devices be mobile—off a traditional corporate environment," said Michael Simon, CEO of LogMeIn. "There is a burgeoning need to connect these edge devices not just to the center, but to each other—that's where LogMeIn comes in—connecting hard to reach devices, no matter where they are.”

See a Flash demo or look into how security issues are addressed.