Friday, February 24, 2006

New computer roll out at busy medical practice.

OK. Some updates of what's been going on.
I'll start with my long project - adventure is more like it. I've been rolling out new computers for a customer in Manhattan. They bought 32 new Dell systems that all needed to be setup on the domain and have the office software configured. Doesn't sound bad right? Well, it's a very busy medical practice and the computers are in all areas of the office including check-in check-out, the exam rooms the doctors' desktop PC systems. At the same time I'm handling their day-to-day computer troubles. Which include the regular daily type of support issues that goes on inside just about every modern office in the world. I can't log in whines, and MS Exchange issues, slowness issues on some of the desktops, integrating medical equipment like EKG tester thingies. They have a company that supports their medical software but I've been their so much I'v been taking care of the problems for them. They have PCAnywhere and 4RemoteSupport installed on most systems for on-demand pc remote control and are able to push it out to the new systems.

Web Based Desktop Remote Support

I walked into a situation where their even virus management console was not working and I could not even push out or manually install the agent software . I though this was problem with the new dell systems since they came pre-installed with a version of mcafee security center software already. I manually removed that version and tried to add the practices version but would always get an error. The antivirus software loaded but the agent would not. I'm happy to say however that I got the console working again and was able to push out the agent software to each of the desktops. I was expecting a long drawn out support session over the phone. But as it turns out the server needed a reboot. I rebooted the system early in the morning remotely so no one would even know it happened. I was taking a chance however since it could have not come up. It worked out, the server started and the software management console worked.

Remote PC Control on the Web

The software for remote pc control through the web software they use came in handy already since I needed their assistance to get the first exam room's software working properly. It was the first time I had to setup the software from scratch. I tried working with the config from the old computer and did great but the thing I didn't know was I had to have another piece of medical software running, Logician by GE (general Electric), on first use for it to complete the config.

Remote desktop control

I was so close but I'm glad I called and saved time. The remote IT support tech, Tony, just remote in to one of the servers. He was using some other online on demand computer remote control software for remotely accessing the server over the Internet then 4RemoteSupport.com for web based remote desktop control of the workstation. No IT tech support department of technical support company can be nearly as affective with web based software for online remote desktop support.

Remote Computer Control

I like the software they use for web based computer remote control but I'm kind of favoring using PC Anywhere on all the desktops software for web based pc remote support on the web software of choice on the computers in the office. I could connect over the Internet using Microsoft Terminal Server then remotely access the computer systems on the LAN. For most internal networking local support especially of servers, Microsoft RDP is mots useful and available nearly all the time. With Microsoft Server 2003 and higher, it is installed by default. As long as it has been enabled in computer properties, it will be available. There is also the full blow terminal server but that requires licensing so it is not easily deployed to all server automatically. RDP or RDC on servers is a very license free version for servers that is great for administration.

Online Remote Support Software

There's no required server hardware to buy and maintain, no special virtual machines:

No modifications are required to be performed on the customer's or end-user's gateway router or firewall. You only have to make a small modification on your own local Internet gateway. Once your
online remote support software to remote desktop control support account is activated successfully, just setup a simple TCP port forward on your Internet gateway router to the desktop you will be providing support from. That is usually your desktop but in the case of multiple technicians this can be setup for other computers on the local network. If you have multiple people providing tech-support within your office and you have several service accounts, then just use a different port number for each tech-support person. The numbers can sequential or picked ad-hoc. You could have two, three, or more remote support techs and each of which can provide separate web based desktop remote support through the web , even to multiple simultaneous end-users concurrently. 


Web Based Remote Support Software


Dynamic 4RemoteSupport.com Remote Support Solution
There is no extra charge for configuration changes or software support. If your network conditions change, such as an ISP change, public IP address change, or your office location changes, you can easily modify to your
web based software for remote support configuration to accommodate the new networking environment. We don't sell executable packaged with your IP address and port number. We designed our service to be adaptive to your remote pc support needs by permitting dynamic web based software changes and updates as required.

It's easy to see and setup your
web based software for online desktop support account settings for computer remote control over the web that includes access on the LAN, on the web, and private WAN using the same account. Screenshots and other images can be found on the screenshots page. See a sample user account profile & 4RemoteSupport.com remote support configuration page screen shot. Similar to Microsoft RDC, administrators and tech-support will have full keyboard and mouse access to the system and along with that, full file system access to local drives and network shares. Anything accessible on the local area network will be accessible through the remote access. One main difference with Microsoft RDC is the user is able to see what is occurring on their desktop.

The user whom your trying to provide online remote pc support just enters a support code in the login field that's positioned right on our main homepage at https://www.4remotesupport.com for remote support and then clicks connect. We use a customized version of open source virtual network computing (VNC) that gets downloaded to the target computer and connects to your desktop viewer. Instantly you have real time access to the web based remote desktop and can view the entire screen on yours for web based remote control. VNC for many years has been and still is a reliable for 4remotesupport.com software for on-demand pc remote control software utility.
See your end-user's experience when they login for
remote desktop support from you or other tech-support people.






Saturday, February 04, 2006

Lucent and Siemens - Remote Technical Support Service

LiveLink


Found an interesting pdf on Siemens  site. I placed the html version in this post but have linked to the pdf. Just in case you don't know, Lucent (at the time of this writing renamed to Avaya) is one of the largest telephony companies in the world. They've been providing hardware and software for phone services for decades. Their platforms have been redesigned and are computer based. The heart of their phone systems now run on computer systems with softphones available for the desktop. They have always had the huge task of supporting their systems and resellers around the world. They have a remote support service that includes online remote support software. The software permits access to system for technical support by all levels of their support teams. All support tiers have on-demand remote access of systems for diagnostics and maintenance. They have a built in a dial-up option. 

Not surprising that dial-up is still a tool in their arsenal since they've been using dial-up to systems for as long as they've been supporting their equipment and services. Remote Technical Support Service Remote support for rapid response, diagnosis, and resolution NetworkCare and eSight are service marks of Lucent Technologies. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are properties of their respective owners. This document is for planning purposes only and is not intended to modify or supplement any specifications or warranties relating to Lucent Technologies products or services. Lucent Technologies Worldwide Services Remote Technical Support (RTS) Service helps you optimize the availability and performance of your networks. This cost-effective service features highly skilled and experienced system engineers who can deliver remote support via phone or modem for rapid response, diagnosis, and resolution of system issues and outages. For Lucent data products, engineers can answer your questions about system problems and provide software updates to clear faults. In addition, support for Siemen's data products provides access to the Web-based eSight." See the link at the top of the post to see the rest.


UTSTAR

A little bit about UTSarcom first...

UTStarcom is a global leader in the manufacture, integration and support of IP-based, end-to-end networking and telecommunications solutions. The company sells converged broadband wireless and wireline products, an integrated IPTV solution, and a comprehensive line of handset and customer premise equipment to operators in both emerging and established telecommunications markets worldwide.

Their support options were impressive enough for an entry. Commworks provides the services.

You could find out more about their support services. They have a nice professional range of support services.

https://login.utstar.com/Login.cfm

Overview

CommWorks is focused on preventing problems before they
occur. By providing you with high quality products, advanced
planning services, expert implementation assistance, and flexible
training options, we significantly reduce the risk of encountering
performance problems during ongoing network operation. The
inherently complex nature of today's multi-vendor IP networks
demands that you have immediate access to expert configuration
and troubleshooting assistance.CommWorks Remote Technical Support Services are designed for
the specific needs of today's network service providers. Rather
than a traditional multi-tier support structure, CommWorks
provides a single tier engineering team who have direct access to
CommWorks R&D. When you call CommWorks for assistance, you are directly connected to an engineer with expertise in your application, instead of being routed to an administrative queue or forced to leave voice mail and hope for a call back.

CommWorks Remote Technical Support provides:
ØGlobal, around-the-clock access to networking experts
ØA team of highly trained engineers who deliver consultative support to anticipate and resolve issues before they occur
ØExpert problem isolation, performed using an up-to-date laboratory dedicated to customer support operations
ØEscalation path to Research and Development – our support engineers interact directly with the engineers who designed the product
ØISO 9000 certified service development and delivery processes
ØCustomized support optionsDeliverablesKey DeliverableDescriptionRemote Technical SupportRapid resolution of mission-critical problems or questions with in-depth technical knowledgeSoftware UpdatesEnhance and extend equipment life by staying current with the latest updates to your system releaseOnline SupportComprehensive online software and documentation libraries, knowledgebase access, and other support tools accessible from the TOTALservice Online web siteDedicated Remote Technical Support. An assigned support engineer who serves as an extension of your in-house staff, a single point of contact for all of your support needsCustomized SupportManage your support needs with a solution that is custom-tailored for your specific requirements.

REMOTE DRiVE

REMOTE DRiVE v1.1 Easy access


I've seen this software in action and it works pretty good. They also have a wake-on-lan freeware software package. REMOTE DRiVE v1.1 Easy access to any FAT, FAT32 and NTFS partition using parallel link cable or serial null-modem cable. Run included User Manager, CHKDSK, REGEDIT, CIA Unerase or any AntiVirus software on damaged remote drive. Manipulate any files on the HOST-Computer. Incredible speed by using data compression. Easy to use - all features offered through GUI. 

REMOTE DRiVE is the Emergency-Disk-Access tool No. 1 for Windows NT/2000 and Windows XP. If Windows NT/2000 or Windows XP machine fails to boot and you need important data very fast you can use to copy them with a very high speed over a serial or a parallel link cable. Additional you can run User Manager, CIA Unerase, REGEDIT, or CHKDSK on the remote drive or delete defect driver in the HOST-Systemdirectory. The HOST and CLIENT machines must be connected with a standard parallel link cable or null-modem serial cable. Included User Manager for Windows NT/2000/XP allows you to change lost or forgotten administrative password (as well as for any other user), unlock account and shows detailed information about all users which are present on your system. REMOTE DRiVE is a two part solution. The REMOTE DRiVE HOST is a single boot floppy that can be created within the REMOTE DRiVE CLIENT. The HOST offers the CLIENT to mount any partition like FAT / FAT32 or NTFS. The REMOTE DRiVE CLIENT is a pure Windows application that is installed on the administrator's computer whth Windows NT4/2000 or Windows XP. 

Here's how it works. 


REMOTE DRiVE is the Emergency-Disk-Access tool No. 1 for Windows NT/2000 and Windows XP. If Windows NT/2000 or Windows XP machine fails to boot and you need important data very fast you can use to copy them with a very high speed over a serial or a parallel link cable. Additionally, you can run User Manager, CIA Unerase, REGEDIT, or CHKDSK on the remote drive or delete defect driver in the HOST-Systemdirectory. The HOST and CLIENT machines must be connected with a standard parallel link cable or null-modem serial cable. Read More... The link to their WOL freeware is http://www.matcode.com/wol.htm Wake-on-LAN Version: 1.0 free!!! This small command line utility makes possible to switch on a computer from a second one by sending a "Magic Packet". Both of computers can be located on the same LAN or on the different LAN segments. Requirements to use the WOL (Wake-On-LAN) An ATX motherboard with an onboard, 3-pin "WOL" connector. An ATX power supply that meets ATX 2.01 specifications. A network card that can support WOL with its cable to the motherboard properly installed. In the BIOS Power Management, you must enable the LAN Wakeup option. How to use MC-WOL Read more...