What is remote desktop software and why do you need it?

Remote desktop software allows users to access and control computers from anywhere, making it a crucial tool for businesses and IT teams. Whether it's for enabling remote work, troubleshooting IT issues, or facilitating collaboration, remote desktop software allows organizations to stay productive without physical presence. Here are some of the primary benefits:

Key features of remote desktop software

  • Remote work and flexibility: Employees can work from anywhere, ensuring business continuity and productivity even during travel or emergencies.
  • IT support and troubleshooting: IT teams can solve issues remotely to reduce downtime and keep systems operational.
  • Cost efficiency: By minimizing the need for physical travel and reducing hardware requirements, businesses save on operational costs.
  • Collaboration and accessibility: Teams can easily access shared systems for seamless collaboration.
  • Business continuity: During emergencies or unforeseen situations, remote desktop software ensures that the business continues running smoothly.

Top features to look for in remote desktop software

  • Remote support:

    Remote support allows users to troubleshoot issues on a remote device. With this feature, businesses can offer instant assistance to employees or clients to improve productivity and reduce downtime. Whether it's resolving software problems or fixing system errors, remote support ensures faster issue resolution.

  • Unattended access:

    Unattended access enables technicians to connect to devices without a user present. This feature is especially useful for after-hours troubleshooting, system updates, or maintenance. IT teams can address issues without needing to coordinate with users, ensuring that systems remain up-to-date and operational 24/7.

  • Multi-monitor navigation:

    For users working with multiple screens, multi-monitor support ensures seamless navigation between displays. Whether for IT troubleshooting, graphic design, or financial analysis, multi-monitor support allows users to view more data and perform tasks more efficiently. This is particularly valuable for those who need to manage multiple applications or data sets at once.

  • Instant chat:

    Built-in instant chat during remote sessions enhances communication between users and technicians. Instead of relying on external messaging tools, chat functionality is embedded directly within the remote session interface. It enables real-time communication for troubleshooting, instructions, or questions to support a more collaborative and efficient support experience.

  • File transfer:

    Secure file transfer ensures that users can easily send and receive documents, images, or other data between local and remote systems without relying on external storage methods like USB drives or emails. This speeds up workflows and enables more efficient collaboration. Security is crucial here—look for solutions that offer encryption to protect sensitive data during the transfer process.

  • Self-service queue:

    A self-service queue helps businesses manage incoming support requests effectively. This feature prioritizes issues based on urgency and assigns them to the available technician. With a service queue, technicians don’t have to worry about missing requests, and it ensures a smoother, more organized support experience for both technicians and users.

  • Two-way desktop sharing:

    With two-way desktop sharing, both the technician and the remote user can share their screens during a session. This enhances collaboration and troubleshooting, as both parties can demonstrate or guide each other in real time. It's useful for training, showing a process, or resolving complex technical issues.

  • Auto reboot and reconnect:

    Remote systems can sometimes face issues like crashes or freezes. The Auto Reboot & Reconnect feature ensures that if a remote system reboots during a session, the connection will automatically restore without manual intervention. This is essential for unattended maintenance, updates, or troubleshooting that requires a system reboot.

  • Session recording and audit logs:

    Recording remote sessions can help with training, compliance, and security. Audit logs track all session activity, ensuring that businesses have a record of what happened during each session. This transparency can help organizations address security concerns, resolve disputes, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.

  • Wake-on-LAN:

    Wake-on-LAN allows IT teams to turn on remote devices that are in sleep or shutdown mode. This ensures devices remain accessible when necessary without needing to keep them powered on at all times. Whether you're conducting maintenance or accessing a device after hours, Wake-on-LAN makes remote access possible whenever needed.

  • Customization and rebranding:

    Many remote desktop solutions offer customization options that allow businesses to rebrand the software interface with their own logos, colors, and themes. This is especially beneficial for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT service providers who want to present a professional, branded experience to their clients. Personalizing the user interface enhances brand consistency and makes the solution feel more integrated into your organization.

  • Diagnostic tools:

    Built-in diagnostic tools give IT teams real-time insights into system performance, such as CPU usage, RAM consumption, and network status. These tools help identify performance issues and optimize the remote system’s functionality. Diagnostic tools make troubleshooting faster and more effective, allowing technicians to quickly pinpoint and resolve any issues.

  • Multi-session handling:

    Multi-session handling enables IT technicians to manage several remote sessions at once. This is especially useful for support teams that need to assist multiple users simultaneously. It allows technicians to switch between different sessions without interrupting active ones, improving efficiency and response times.

  • Cross-platform support:

    Cross-platform support is vital for organizations with diverse operating systems. Remote desktop software should be able to work seamlessly across different platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. With cross-platform support, users can connect to remote systems from any device without worrying about compatibility issues.

Key factors to consider when choosing remote desktop software

  • Security

    • End-to-end encryption to safeguard sensitive data.
    • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorized access.
    • Role-based access control (RBAC) for restricted access.
  • Productivity and performance

    • Low-latency connections for seamless remote control.
    • High-quality screen rendering for better user experience.
    • File transfer and session recording.
  • Ease of use

    • Simple setup and intuitive interface.
    • Quick access without complex configurations.
    • Cross-platform support for greater flexibility.
  • Scalability

    • Ability to add multiple users and devices as your business grows.
    • Customization options to fit your organization's needs.
    • Flexible pricing to pay for what you need and to scale as you grow.

When selecting a remote desktop solution, security, performance, and ease of use should be top priorities. Zoho Assist offers all these features to help make secure and efficient remote access available for businesses of all sizes.