Remote Computer Tech Support

Technological advances now provide remote computer tech support options for both businesses and individual users. With all the innovations of the past few years, it is almost impossible for a business to operate without a properly functioning online network. Popular software programs, especially those that sync to some cell phone devices, mean that the desk calendar and the rolodex have practically gone the way of the dodo bird and the carrier pigeon. Secretaries now input appointments onto shared software calendars that their bosses can access while away from the office. Contact information, including phone numbers, email, and physical addresses are kept in specially designed software programs. Some of these programs offer additional features especially created for a company's sales people to keep track of customers or for a legislative office to keep a record of correspondence with the district's constituents.

Email access provides a quick way of communicating with other offices, clients, and vendors. Online web searches allow employees to research pertinent information quickly and expeditiously. When the network goes down or the hard drive crashes, an employee is often completely unable to function. The secretary doesn't know who is meeting with the boss the next day or the phone number for an important client. The sales person no longer has the list of customers for cold-calling. Research from the comfort of one's desk is impossible. Employees are not the only ones affected by a downed network or computer crash. Many individuals rely heavily on the access given them through online services. Practically every entrepreneur with a home business needs consistent internet service. Even people who do not rely on the internet for an income can be highly inconvenienced when it isn't functioning properly or a hard drive stops functioning. That's why almost everyone with a computer can benefit from remote desktop support.

A great many companies now offer remote computer tech support. These companies provide an important service as the business community and individuals have become almost totally dependent on having constant internet access. It's no longer necessary to dismantle one's equipment and lug it to a fix-it store or to sit helpless while waiting for a technician to show up. With remote desktop support, help can be a simple phone call away. Large companies and governmental agencies with their own technical divisions may include software on employee workstations that will allow the technicians to access the computers from remote locations. For example, the House of Representatives for a large state has a technical division. The technicians can, with a click of the mouse from a district employee, access that employee's computer even though the technician is in the capital city and the employee is in a faraway district office. Many software issues can be addressed by the technician without the expense of sending a certified repairperson to the district office. The employee can watch the monitor and see what the technician is doing from her own computer. By linking the House of Representatives' district office computers to a central network and utilizing remote computer tech support, the state is saving money for the taxpayers. Many businesses do the same within their own computer networks.

Technology allows some remote desktop support companies to provide a similar service to individuals. The company tech can access the customer's computer to diagnose the problem. The customer can watch the screen to see exactly what the technician is doing and, as a security precaution, the customer has the capability of taking control of the computer at any time. Pre-installed software isn't always needed to link a customer's equipment to the tech support company. These companies offer a variety of services, but almost all can be accessed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that even the night owl may be able to find assistance when midnight glitches occur. Some companies offer ongoing contracts so that the services are available whenever needed by anyone who pays a monthly fee. Others require a base fee for a certain amount of time and then an additional per-minute charge. A free phone consultation may be available to customers.

Individuals and businesses without in-house tech support are advised to compare services and costs before they need assistance. Otherwise, the decision on which company to contract for remote computer tech support may be made in a panic, resulting in a higher than necessary expense and, perhaps, less satisfaction with the service. A majority of businesses strive to provide quality service at a fair cost, but there are unscrupulous people in every industry who are more than happy to take a customer's money without providing the promised service. The Old Testament writer counseled: "When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man" (Proverbs 10-12a). Prior planning will help ensure that discretion and understanding go into the decision-making process of finding a quality remote desktop support company that will provide the needed services on a timely basis.

Part of the remote diagnostics may include patching software errors, identifying and removing viruses, and even tracing hackers. Companies offering remote desktop support may offer additional services such as setting up security firewalls, installing backup programs, and providing routine updates and maintenance. High speed internet service is often required for remote assistance. With remote computer tech support, the business community can continue doing what they do best: the secretary will know the boss's daily schedule and the important client's phone number, the sales person can make the required cold calls, and the at-home entrepreneur won't miss any important contacts. Individuals who are dependent on the internet, for whatever reason, will not be frustrated by long downtimes. And no one will need to lug dismantled equipment to a computer store.

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