Remote control can be used for a lot more than sharing applications over dial-up lines. Helpdesk operations, network management, and server and workstation support are some of the tasks that remote control can handle in an enterprise network. And, remote-control solutions have matured; they now occupy only a fraction of a host machine's resources and some even leverage OS services.

Basically, there are two categories of remote control: consumer-oriented remote control, which is targeted at SOHO (small office/home office) or traveling users who need occasional access to their desktops, and ESM (enterprise system management) remote control, which is aimed at systems management and helpdesk staff. These users require more advanced features, such as integration with ESM platforms and centralized user/application management. For this review, we concentrated our testing efforts on ESM remote control.

To view the Report card.In Network Computing's Real-World Lab® at Syracuse University, we tested remote-control solutions that offer OS and network management system integration, heightened security schemes and enhanced network installation procedures. Artisoft CoSessions Remote 32 version 8.1, Compaq Computer Corp. Carbon Copy 5.0, Funk Software Proxy 3.0, Netopia Timbuktu Pro, Stac ReachOut Enterprise, Symantec Corp. pcANYWHERE32 version 8.0, Traveling Software LapLink 7.5 for Windows NT/95 and Vector Networks PC-Duo version 3.72 were all tested.

Making the Grade ESM is a complex task--not only for users, but for vendors as well. We found that not all remote-control solutions are suited to systems management. Solutions from Funk Software, Netopia, Symantec and Vector Networks were the only ones that integrated into an ESM platform. Some ESM platforms have their own remote control as well, negating the need to buy a third-party package (see "Intel and Tivoli Take Control," page 134).

In one aspect, we were disappointed with all the products we tested. Every one lacked the ability to organize remote-control hosts into logical groups. Instead, you must organize hosts alphabetically or by subnet, which is cumbersome if there are many hosts or if workgroups are spread across subnets.

We also were disappointed by the lack of integration with Windows NT domains. Although all of the products run on NT, only four vendors--Compaq, Netopia, Stac and Symantec--leverage the NT domain for user and group authentication and access control.

After all was said and done, top honors went to Symantec's pcANYWHERE32 and Netopia's Timbuktu Pro. Both products offer integration into ESM platforms in addition to strong support for network installation, management and application. Notably, pcANYWHERE offers excellent scripting capabilities for automating tasks and desktop management for users without ESM platforms.

Symantec Corp. pcANYWHERE32 Version 8.0
Our top finisher, pcANYWHERE, offers a strong application architecture with versatile security methods for user access, securing both the client application and host access. Additionally, it offers tight integration into Windows 95/NT, leveraging NT Domain security. It offers broad support for numerous network protocols and solid session scripting for automating remote-control sessions. It also integrates with Microsoft Corp.'s SMS and Hewlett-Packard Co.'s OpenView for remote control with an ESM application. Symantec's pcANYWHERE has the highest price per license, but it's well worth it.