Many options are available for remote access to your FocalPoint Software through any Android or iOS device, or a remote laptop to write contracts and work orders, process returns, capture signatures, and more, all on the go!
Whichever option you use, you will always get the same great FocalPoint screens, reports, and functions ...no pared-down or watered-down versions.
FocalPoint Anywhere Edition
FocalPoint Anywhere enables any of your any PC or Server using a currently supported Windows operating system to act as a Citrix or a Terminal Server. FocalPoint Anywhere supports concurrent Remote Desktop (RDS) connections, web access, printer mapping, disk mapping, port com mapping, bi-directional sound, remoteFX, dual screen. Any RDP compatible client can be used to connect in a FocalPoint Anywhere environment.
Using this or any Remote Desktop Service application will have advantages over a typical VPN installation. There are clear speed advantages over a typical VPN implementation. All processes are much more responsive, as most of the work is being done on the server, and data transfer between Server and Client PC's are minimized. Installations and updates are also streamlined, as FocalPoint is only being utilized on the server. When FocalPoint is updated on the server, all client PC's recognize the update.
Pricing for FocalPoint Anywhere is base price plus additional users. Updates and support renewal for three years is 15% of the purchase price (base + additional users). Technical support to set up port forwarding is available as a billable service. Please contact your Visum sales representative for pricing.
Before or after you have decided to purchase FocalPoint anywhere, Visum Support will be happy to meet with you to discuss:
•Resources needed by the host PC. See section 4.3 "FocalPoint Anywhere Requirements".
•Same server vs different server
•Method in which you want to connect remotely (HTTP/HTTPS/VPN)
•Port forwarding and DNS necessities
•Registration information
•Windows credentials
Windows Server Remote Desktop Services
Microsoft Windows also has a native Remote Desktop Service available. Site requirements to implement MS Remote Desktop Services vary, and should be determined on a case by case basis by your IT service provider. When working with your IT service provider, please discuss the number of users/devices that will be connection remotely, as this will affect the resources necessary on the "server" to function properly. Visum will be able to provide you with hardware and software requirements specific to FocalPoint software which you can use to help determine the overall Remote Desktop needs of your business.
Similar to FocalPoint Anywhere, there are clear speed advantages over a typical VPN implementation. All processes are much more responsive, as most of the work is being done on the server, and data transfer between Server and Client PC's are minimized. Installations and updates are also streamlined, as FocalPoint is only being utilized on the server. When FocalPoint is updated on the server, all client PC's recognize the update.
In order for FocalPoint to function properly within a remote desktop environment, Terminal Services or Remote Desktop Services must be set up according to specifications outlined by Microsoft. Please note that if you use NetEPay (Vantiv/Worldpay integration) as an integrated credit card processing solution for FocalPoint, it IS NOT compatible with Remote Desktop Protocol.
Remote Control
Remote Access software like LogMeIn, Team Viewer, and so on can be used to control a local PC from a remote location. Often time you can set these options up yourself without needed assistance from your IT service provider of choice. Many of these options are free. Here’s a little light reading on this topic: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/remote-access/tp/free-remote-access-software.htm.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Allows others to be on your network even though they’re not in your office. VPN’s that are controlled by hardware will require router adjustments. Software VPN’s do not. Typically, you would contact an IT service provider to help you set this up. Helpful link: http://lifehacker.com/5487500/five-best-vpn-tools but there are probably many (many!) other discussions on the internet about this topic.
