Telecommuting and Remote User Solutions Come of Age

As the Windows NT platform has matured into Windows 2000, Microsoft has continually improved its built-in remote access capabilities to the point that remote users now have nearly the same electronic collaboration capabilities as their office-bound colleagues. Wherever Internet access is available, remote users can access their e-mail, data, and applications, and even participate in teleconferences and data conferences without requiring a plethora of expensive add-on software or hardware. Still, establishing remote access is not trivial, and organizations must properly address many questions and issues to build a successful system.

This article explores the typical computing needs of remote users and how they are met by certain Microsoft operating system and e-mail technologies.

Telecommuter and Road Warrior Needs

Most remote users, whether they are home-based telecommuters, roaming employees such as salespersons, or employees on business trips, have similar remote access needs. Depending on their jobs, they usually need access to e-mail, computer files, and traditional or Web-based applications. They may even need access to other collaborative tools, such as group calendars or data conferencing. All of these resources must be both secure and available at a speed that does not adversely affect productivity. (See the sidebar “Technical Challenges Still Hinder Remote Access“.)