Tiscali has introduced NetConnect, a remote access solution that enables companies with limited IT skills to enjoy the benefits of accessing office resources remotely via any type of Internet connection and in a secure manner. The product is aimed at companies with one to 100 users needing remote access.
Focused functionality and automation reduces the need for support and IT skills, making NetConnect an affordable alternative to traditional RAS solutions with high upfront hardware and management costs.
"NetConnect is not dependent on specialised hardware or specific access providers, and access via the Internet reduces communication costs, more so in terms of international dial-up costs for roaming purposes. Dedicated remote access functions further bypass complications normally associated with access gateways on a router or firewall, reducing complexity and support requirements.
"Auto-install and configuration also eliminate the need for high level IT skills to manage the solution," says Graeme Slogrove, NetConnect product manager at Tiscali.
NetConnect is available to business of all sizes, and is not exclusive to Tiscali subscribers. A flexible licensing model means licences can be purchased for only the number of active users that will connect remotely, instead of the total number of users that need remote access.
"If a company has 10 staff members, for example, but only two need remote access at any one time, you only need two licences - the administrator controls which two users can connect currently by simply moving those users into the active list," says Slogrove.
NetConnect consists of two software components, one at the gateway and the other at the client side. The gateway manages access to the network, and is installed on a standard Windows 2000 or XP workstation or server. The client software runs on most Windows operating systems starting from Windows 98 SE. Users can download the software from Tiscali`s Web site, and connecting is a simple process of selecting the connection profile and logging on.
"Virtual IP address allocation allows remote users secure access to company resources such as file servers, printers and database applications transparently, without requiring reconfiguration of these applications when roaming. Once a user is connected via NetConnect the network treats the connection as part of the corporate LAN, with all IP traffic securely tunnelled. Full certificate based authentication is also built into the software," he adds.
"NetConnect will find ideal application with travelling executive and sales people needing access to corporate mail, documents and price lists. Even administrators needing secure access to their network now have a cost-effective solution available to them. Network companies offering outsourced management of servers will also easily be able to administer hundreds of sites from a single location and remote branches can gain access to central office resources without the need for dedicated frame or Diginet connections," Slogrove says.
Further information and a free 30-day one user trial of the product is available at http://www.tiscalibusiness.co.za/netconnect.
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Tiscali (previously World Online) is a premier communications company offering Internet and cellular services to home, business and corporate users. In addition, Tiscali has a popular portal with over 2 million visitors every month.
Tiscali is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tiscali
International, which is listed on the Paris and Milan Stock Exchanges and is the second largest Internet service provider in Europe, providing access and a wide variety of content, applications and services to its customers. It has the largest geographical footprint of any European Internet provider with local operations in 15 countries and 7.6 million active users.
The company is set apart from other market players through its ability to offer voice and data communication solutions delivered over both fixed and mobile telecommunications networks.
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