Microsoft's LiveMeeting software for desktop support. I just recently had seen Microsoft's collaboration/conferencing software in action for a real remote support session. The software is excellent and I recomend it for anyone who is looking for a remote support and conferencing product.
The desktop support software allows two way application sharing or desktop sharing. Although it's a collaboration application, it also has the option to share the full desktop of the remote computer. The presenter, or better yet for this post the tech support representative, can remote control the computer to apply desktop or server application fixes or troubleshoot software issues. Although the service's main design is intended to be a conferencing and collaboration software service, it has a place in the tech support and helpdesk area for being an exceptional product as an online desktop remote support application. Computer remote support software that enables help desk staff to remotely access through remote PC control is in great demand. As much,if not even more so, the need to provide remote support to customers and clients is equal to the need for conferencing software.
As a conferencing software, I believe Microsoft's LiveMeeting is ahead of its competitors. The user interface is as technologically up to date as any software could be. The tools, interface and presentation have been well thought out and engineered. For PC remote support software that allows web based desktop remote support it's a wonderful product indeed for collaboration, which is in fact the software application's core competency, it's a great product. It allows for many members to join online meetings and demos. The demo aspect of the software can be part of training or used as a selling tool.
Web based remote support using Microsoft's LiveMeeting would seem to be an expensive solution for providing remote desktop support. Unless there are technicians and engineers constantly using the software for remote desktop support and of course generating revenue by those remote control and remote desktop support sessions being billable, it would be difficult to choose LiveMeeting as a solution for just computer support software. If it's secondary role was computer support and there were also online meetings conducted that are saving considerable amounts, then as a combined solution it seems more viable. Applications such as LiveMeeting or others similar to it such as Cisco's MeetingPlace certainly have their place and the place is anywhere there's a need for online collaboration and meetings with the additional great feature and benefit of having software that can run from a web site that enables support people to assist remote users and clients. As seen, they are a resultant feature of the software core mission of online meetings and demonstrations where the presenter can connect to many recipients but the software the client runs from the we for the presentation or online demonstration or training, has built into it the ability to remote control and share applications. From this comes the ability of the remote user to share the desktop and give access and control of the computer to the presenter which in the case of computer or desktop support, is a desktop support or helpdesk person.
Another prior post similar topic -
With so many options and features deciding can be difficult. one of the best options to consider would be no cost per seat or computer. ON-demand remote support that does not require an agent component on a remote computer is also a good option to consider.
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