Remote Working

Remote access is increasingly becoming the way in which businesses are required to work. It enables workers to access information ‘at work’ quickly and conveniently without compromising security.

Five Rivers offer a variety of solutions available enabling you to work securely in a global environment

• Dialup Remote Access Service (RAS);
• Remote Control;
• Virtual Private Network (VPN)

You will be able to choose the method that is best for your company and some of the factors that will be taken into account are:

• Performance
• Security
• Cost
  
• Quantity of Workforce using remote access
• Predicted frequency of use
  

Dialup Remote Access Service (RAS)

This is an inexpensive set up as it requires only a modem attached to your server and remote PC. It can be connected using a normal telephone line or an ISDN line. Once completed it enables you to connect to email server, documents and files as if the user were in the office.

Remote control

This is an advance upon the basic RAS connection and can be installed with the correct remote control software both in the office and remote PC.

This best serves a small business with fewer than 5 people as the office PC must be on at all times whilst the remote user needs to access it.

Virtual Private Network

The virtual private network uses a more secure strategy for the user so that access is quicker and safer when connecting to the head office. It permits secure, encrypted connections between the remote user (through a public infrastructure) and the company’s private network.

The aim of the VPN is to provide an organisation with the capabilities of a VPN using leased lines but at a lower cost. VPN can greatly benefit a company if the structure and design is adequate.

Benefits

• Improve security
• Improve proficiency
• Provide global networking opportunities
• Provide broadband networking compatibility
• Reduce operational costs
• Reduce time parameters for remote users
• Provide extended geographical connectivity

As a VPN can grow to accommodate many users from various locations, the scalability is an added advantage that VPN’s have over the typical leased lines and the cost does not increase in proportion to distance as it is irrelevant where the remote user is in geographical terms.

The VPN allows the user to access information, files, email etc as if the user is at the office based PC and the privacy and security remains intact despite the amount of users that are connected.