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Evolving Remote Access with I'm InTouchBy Pedro HernandezFebruary 16, 2006
Toronto-based 01 Communique has launched a new version of its remote access software, I'm InTouch Corporate Server (CSE), after a co-development stint with Hitachi. Admittedly, remote desktop access is nothing new. But the company has added a few tricks that allow workers to access their machines, including the files and applications therein, in a secure and easily manageable way, according to the company. I'm InTouch CSE first debuted in June 2005, years after the popular desktop version hit the scene in 2001. Now version 2 adds to its access-from-afar feature set to make things generally easier for users and administrators alike. Co-developed with Hitachi Business Solution, which uses the software internally, I'm InTouch attracts a certain type of customer, says Brian Howden, VP of Marketing. He describes them as companies that don't want to "webify" their apps, otherwise known as going the Citrix route. Instead, they would rather broaden the availability of the applications already installed on a user's desktop minus software licensing issues or complicating a network's infrastructure, which can be a strain particularly for smaller businesses. For the sake of security and in-house management, some "individuals demanded to have the technology on their premises," he adds. In Japan, the product goes by the name DoMobile CSE and sold alongside a machine designed to combat a troublesome form of data leakage: laptop theft. Hitachi's notebook, the Flora Se210, lacks a hard drive, floppy drive or CD/DVD-ROM. And while it may seem a little feature-light on the surface, this design, when matched with 01 Communique's technology, makes for a secure mobile platform for industries that manage private or classified information. The product consists largely of two parts, a gateway server and software that is placed on each workstation. The server, placed within the DMZ, brokers the session and communicates with a workstation. Since all communication between the two take place over ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTP over TLS/SSL) it enhances security in two important ways, according to Howden. First, there is "no direct path through the firewall to an internal IP address," says Howden. Secondly, end-to-end communication is encrypted with 128-bit SSL. In short, snooping and network break-ins via this route are a tough proposition. Remote file access is a given. Users can access their documents, spreadsheets and presentations files on the host PC using familiar drag-and-drop conventions. Accessing desktop applications is similarly intuitive but users should not expect snappy response or blazingly fast graphical refresh when interfacing with resource-intensive software. Day-to-day applications run at acceptable speeds under a broadband connection, however. Two other features distinguish the product. One is Wake-on-LAN support. Howden describes situations where users turn off their systems when they leave work, like at Hitachi where the security policy mandates it. If supported and configured, users can access their powered-down systems without having to phone their officemates. I'm InTouch CSE also supports mobile devices. Workers with little more than a wireless PocketPC device can access files and documents their desktops without having to power up their laptops. I'm InTouch CSE 2.0 is available now. A 30-day trial is available (registration required). Pricing is determined by the deployment, sales and/or support services provided by the company's partners.
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