We’ve received a large volume of calls in the past week on how our unattended access works. Below is a concise outline of how ScreenConnect manages unattended connections.

ScreenConnect provides technicians the ability to open a secure channel to unattended workstations and servers through firewalls via a customizable ScreenConnect installer. Hosts can build both Windows Installer packages (.msi) and Mac installer packages (.pkg) to deploy ScreenConnect to remote machines. This permanently installs the ScreenConnect unattended guest client which is designed to connect back to your ScreenConnect server without any additional configuration. Sessions will appear in the Unattended Sessions table once the remote machine connects back to your ScreenConnect server.

Role based permissions allow administrators to establish groups that have similar permissions, access rights, and constraints for security purposes. Role based security can be used in conjunction with session grouping and filtering so administrators can specify certain permissions for different session groups.

By managing sessions groups, hosts and administrators can filter remote support, meetings, and remote access sessions. The Session Groups Panel features several columns and tools for arranging, defining and filtering session groups.

By default, if the guest machine was turned off or not connected to the internet for an extended period of time, the unattended session will expire and be removed from the host page after twenty-four hours. This duration can be easily reconfigured by editing the web.config file. If the connection is reestablished the machine will be re-listed into the unattended client table.

ScreenConnect does not have any limits on the number of unattended computers per account. Many of our competitors including Bomgar, GoToAssist and now LogMeIn Free limit the number of connections per account. Additionally, ScreenConnect not only gives the option of remote access and managing unattended connections, but it also features two additional use models: remote support and remote meetings.

We hope this helps answer some of your questions on how ScreenConnect handles remote access. Feel free to test ScreenConnect by downloading our free 30-day fully functional trial. If you have any questions please contact us.

Often, a case may arise where a license may be in use when you need immediate access to the application. A situation such as a coworker forgetting to logoff a session or maybe you left a connection at work open by accident.

In this instance, as part of ScreenConnect 3.0, we incorporated a participant list as part of the Host Client. To kick the other participant(s) (hosts) off you should connect to the same session that was left open (since we allow multiple technicians on a single session), find the other participant(s) and then navigate your mouse over their name to see the "x" to disconnect them from the session.

With ScreenConnect 3.1 out we’ve been touting all the new customization possibilities we’ve added to round out the user experience. Elements such as text strings, system tray icons, or toolbar colors of the web application and the client application can now be changed to whatever you desire.

Administrators can customize elements of both the web application and the host application by modifying resource strings. There are over 300 resource strings that administrators can use to fit their organization’s needs. All available resource strings can be found in the Appearance tab on the Administration page. They are divided into two sections: web resource strings, and client resource strings. The web resource strings alter the web application (i.e. the Guest, Host, and Administration pages), while the client resource strings alter the client application that launches after a guest host connects to a session or meeting.

We hope that you are enjoying all the new customizations we’ve incorporated into the software. If you have any questions or comments please discuss them in our forum.

In the near future, LogMeIn is going to start limiting their free offering. LogMeIn's March 4th blog post reads, “We’re making some changes to LogMeIn Free — specifically introducing new volume limits on LogMeIn Free accounts”. Previously users had connections to an unlimited number of computers using the LMI free application. Changes will restrict each customer to 10 or less computers. LMI is trying to drive customers that support a larger volume to their LMI Central offering for a discounted price is $199/year (normally $299/year).

With ScreenConnect you can have an unlimited number of unattended machines. ScreenConnect is a one-off cost of $325. Once you buy the software you own it and you can use it forever. You will see a positive RIO compared to that of LMI Central in a little over one year. ScreenConnect has simliar functionality to that of LMI Central, plus, it has the additional use models of remote support and remote meetings. Furthermore, ScreenConnect's architecture allows for opened-ended customizations to align with your company branding.

We believe ScreenConnect is a great affordable alternative to that of the LMI product line. If you are interested in giving ScreenConnect a try please download the fully functional trial. If you have any questions please contact our sales or support staff.

Many of you have been playing around with ScreenConnect 3.1 during February and we are very close to releasing a stable version! The new release adds many new customizations, security measures and more.

With ScreenConnect 3.1 we've met our customer demands and improved upon security by integrating two-factor authentication into the product. Additionally, one time password is now built into the out of the box (OOTB) login page.

To round out branding and give administrators more control over the experience and users, we've added new customizations. Administrators can now make infinite changes to the clients themselves including changing colors, icons, test strings and more. Additionally, administrators can choose to change the name of fields and disable select features, such as access to the toolbox or file transfer, globally or for specified users. This increases the flexibility of the host role.

For a full detailed list of ScreenConnect 3.1 features please visit our forum.

With the CES kicking off in Las Vegas next week there is much buzz around new consumer electronics. We recently got wind of Canonical's plans to release Ubuntu for smartphones. The advantage of Ubuntu running on a high-end, multi-core handset is that it becomes a full PC and thin client when docked. Canonical claims, “Ubuntu uniquely enables a new category of convergence device – phones that dock to become full PCs and thin clients – enabling enterprise IT departments to replace phones, thin clients and laptops with a single secure corporate device."

The UI relies on swipe gestures similar to Windows 8 on a tablet or Web OS, instead of a touch interface we commonly think of on a Android device or iPhone. Each edge of the phone has a distinct purpose- which makes apps, content and settings easily accessible.

Apps for the device will be native or adapted web apps - which mean all big apps will be available to Ubuntu at launch. Canonical states, “A complete desktop solution needs a full range of desktop applications. While a mobile OS carries no deep desktop software catalogue, Ubuntu offers thousands of applications, all designed for the desktop.”

Cononical has yet to land a deal on a device with a specific manufacturer but rumors suggest a device will be launched early 2014.

Get Business Clients in 30 Easy Steps explores the notion of expanding a shop from the residential side of things to business clientele as the challenges of the future marketplace change. Through 30 steps, authors and Technibble veterans, Ric Chapman and Bryce Whitty, explore everything from preparing a plan, to getting your foot in the door with confidence, to landing and maintaining support. They share their experiences from the corporate world—many ideas already discussed on Technibble—and deliver them in a comprehensive 87 page volume. The book is available in PDF format, for the Kindle, or an EPUB version is available. Also supporting documents such as letters and forms are included. For full disclosure we have not read the book ourselves but figure users in our community may be interested in the reference.

We hope our user base has had a good few weeks getting acquainted to ScreenConnect 3.0! The new changes are quite substantial and exciting. We’ve completely redesigned the UI to position for the new use model, meetings. Meetings have been a long sought after use model for much of our user base so they could collaborate with multiple participants in a conference environment. ScreenConnect meetings allow an unlimited number of guests to attend and view an individual’s screen. Such features for the host and attendees include screen capture, recording, and chat.

Additionally with the new use model comes a whole new feel and design to the ScreenConnect UI. The 3.0 release provides easier access to menus and features—a style challenge that we feel we met and what will be the future of ScreenConnect. During meetings or remote sessions hosts have readily available access to tools and menus the old interface did not provide. Please let us know your thoughts on ScreenConnect 3.0! If you have any questions you can contact our staff!

The ScreenConnect Team wants to inform our user base of a free webinar presented by ACRBO that is taking place on December 12th at 4PM on the topic of Advanced Techniques for Virus Removal. We know many of you are small IT shops that support clients and their personal computers. This discussion will focus on the areas of:

• What are the different types of malware? Why does it matter?
• How do you know when a computer is infected?
• How did the computer become infected? When is the malware being loaded?
• When do you use System Restore?
• What if the malware survives Safe Mode?
• What if you can’t run Regedit? Task Manager? Windows Update?

For more details visit the ACRBO Webinar Homepage

LogMeIn has a collection of products for remote computing. When selecting a solution you should know which is right for your needs. Below is a roundup of LMI products as described by the manufacturer.

We believe ScreenConnect compares most closely to LogMeIn Rescue. LMIR is their only all-inclusive software package. Admittedly, LogMeIn Rescue has some different offerings than ScreenConnect, but we think you pay for them—you pay a lot for them. Likewise, ScreenConnect includes an array of features different from that of LMIR such as the Toolbox and Video Auditing. Additionally, ScreenConnect will soon offer Remote Meeting which LogMeIn does not have in their Rescue application—we think this is a big deal.

We agree that LogMeIn has a great lineup that meets many needs. We realize some consumers prefer LMI to ScreenConnect. We challenge long time users of LMI that pay high monthly fees and don’t have ownership of the product to give ScreenConnect a try!