NetOp scored well in this area. It supports all platforms except Macintosh or Windows Me.
Funk?s ? Proxy software was deficient in the protocols and platforms supported. It would not operate on Macintosh, DOS or OS2 platform.
As with NetOp, Laplink would not work on Macintosh platform but unlike NetOp it did work with Windows Me.
ReachOut does not support OS2 or Macintosh platforms.
PcAnywhere does not support the OS2 or Macintosh platforms.
Timbuktu Pro is the only remote control software that supports inter-connectivity between Windows NT 4.0,Windows 9x,Windows 2000,Windows Me, OS2, and Mac OS.
Installation and resources required
NetOp had one of the highest grades in this area for its capabilities to start operations without rebooting and the ?read me? file that showed all installed files. In addition, you can install NetOp programs on targeted remote computers.
Proxy had best installation.
Laplink is the only product that does not have an automated network installation.
ReachOut conducts an automated network installation and there is a small memory footprint.
PcAnywhere installation is quiet simple. It has an automated network install. The Only problem is that it uses too much memory space.
Timbuktu has a automated network installation that can be complicated by using scripts to refine installed features.
Use as Diagnostic Tool
NetOp?s ?Help Desk? feature, the ability to conduct audio and video chats, scripting utility and the file transfer interface, make NetOp the best in this area.
Proxy seemed to have a good array of diagnostic tools but file transfer was slow and problems in deletion of files caused low score.
Although Laplink is, slow in transferring screen displays and keyboard and mouse controls the software has very useful diagnostic capabilities. One of these is the ability to log all transactions.
ReachOut offers a host of tools to make diagnostic activities easier and more effective. These include: simultaneous chat with remote operator, the zero admin host service, and remote control through a web browser to name a few. If there were not problems with the file transfer capabilities, it would have rated tops in this area.
PcAnywhere really shines in the array of configuration tasks available and OLE, automation allows VARs to integrate PcAnywhere functionality into custom solutions. These factors and others combine to put pcAnywhere in a tie with NetOp for first in this area.
Timbuktu has features similar to NetOp.
Interoperability
By itself, NetOp has very good capabilities for interoperability. However, the ?Gateway? module interacts with NetOp to provide an extremely high level of network interoperability. The only trouble is that it is a different program.
In this category ?Proxy ?did not do well. It has no capabilities for working out of the windows environment. On top of this, the software has no enterprise wide user administration capabilities.
Laplink?s ?Link to Net? and ?Internet Directory? options help the interoperability scores. But the inability to perform NT network integration detracts from the score.
ReachOut does well in this category but we think it fails to completely live up to its name ?Enterprise?. With automated network installation, remote control through web browsers, NT network integration it is still a formidable tool.
Use pcAnywhere in a variety of network and enterprise situations. It integrates well with NT and
Timbuktu does extremely well in this area also. High speed connect ability, and the ability to deal with every type platform makes it the choice for this area.
Security
NetOp has some very good features. The ability to allow guests to have a default set of privileges or users receive individual privileges. Its only major drawback include the inability to centralize security and authentication administration
Security for ?Proxy? seems to be adequate. We saw problems with the host having the capabilities to deny permission for the guest to take over the host.
Laplink?s security is adequate but not as extensive as the NetOp features.
ReachOut has some of the same security features that pcAnywhere has but does not quite match its level of security.
PcAnywhere’s greatest downfall is that it still does not let you password-protect individual folders or files. Even considering this it still outshines the competition in this area.
Services
NetOp has a full array of services that makes it one of the leading competitors in this area. We especially like the guest tool bar and the marker function.
Proxy services are adequate but still do not compare with the other software.
Laplink has a good amount of services but does not compare to NetOp.
ReachOut had an impressive amount of services and came in second in this category.
PcAnywhere?s has a full menu of services. It ties for second place in this area.
Timbuktu has an impressive list of services also, but they seem to be geared to a remote user having access to the home office?s services.
Costs
In the area of costs the software packages ranged from $130 to $175 dollars with Laplink being the cheapest. When you take into account the price per seat costs, you get quite a different story.
Table 1 Costs of Software and Licenses
Final Results
Overall, our testing of remote control software revealed a field of well-matched players. The order in which they finished was:
1. NetOp with 62 points
2. ReachOut and Timbuktu tied for 2d place with 60 points each
3. pcAnywhere came in 3d with 60 points
4. Proxy came in 4th with 55 points
5. Laplink brought up the rear with a total of 53 points.
The Problems
When we have the capabilities to monitor the activities of anyone on a network, the first problem that most American people think of is invasion of privacy.
Bibliography
Morris, John. 1998. Remote control software: You can?t get there from here.
PC Magazine, 1 September, 58-70.
Doherty, Sean. 2000. Remote Control Saves Steps. Network Computing
Magazine, 7 February, 35-48
PC Magazine Labs Report. Teleworking ReachOut Enterprise 8.
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/pcmag/supp/2000/teleworking/49.html
Reachout Enterprise. User’s Guide Supplement Version 8.42.
http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/remotecontrol/rev7.html
Kawamoto, Wayne. New! Software.Stac ReachOut 7 vs. MicrocomCarbon Copy 32.
http://www.zdnet.com/pccomp/sneakpeeks/snpk0697/remote.html
Table 2 Software Characteristics
Morris, John. 1998. Remote control software: You can?t get there from here.
PC Magazine, 1 September, 58-70.
Doherty, Sean. 2000. Remote Control Saves Steps. Network Computing
Magazine, 7 February, 35-48
PC Magazine Labs Report. Teleworking ReachOut Enterprise 8.
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/pcmag/supp/2000/teleworking/49.html
Reachout Enterprise. User’s Guide Supplement Version 8.42.
http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/remotecontrol/rev7.html
Kawamoto, Wayne. New! Software.Stac ReachOut 7 vs. MicrocomCarbon Copy 32.
http://www.zdnet.com/pccomp/sneakpeeks/snpk0697/remote.html