Technology in Architectural Practice

Hello TAP,

My firm is looking into implementing a remote desktop access solution and we'd like to learn what other architecture firms are using. We are interested in some fairly basic functionality: allowing users to access their work desktop applications from their home PCs, personal iPads, Android tablets and smartphones. Remote file access (ie. copying a work file to the home PC) is not required, or even desired. Concerns are mainly coming from IT regarding antivirus security. Some of the solutions we've come across include Cisco AnyConnect, LogMeIn, TeamViewer and Google Chrome Remote. 

So... is your firm using a remote access solution? Is it set up in-house (VPN) or a subscription-, web-based service? Is it managed through your IT department, or do users have the freedom to install whatever consumer-grade software they like? Are you concerned about a virus getting into your network?

Thanks in advance!


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Ian Roth, AIA
Director of Building Information Modeling
RNL
Denver CO
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We are using Remote Web Access, which is a component of our Microsoft Small Business Server.  It's very simple to use and everyone loves it.  You take over your office workstation remotely, so you can sit at home and work directly on your office desktop.  All processing is done on the office workstation; just the keystrokes and screenshots are sent across the net.  Management is pretty easy also.  It is very easy at the server to grant or deny remote access, and control which stations each user has access to.

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Steven Groth AIA
Project Architect, Director of Specifications, Computer Systems Manager
Uihlein-Wilson Architects
Milwaukee WI
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Hi Steve, we have been using Logmein Pro for several years. I install the client on all enterprise systems then setup our users to access specific systems via browser, tablet and smartphone. It works fairly well and has many additional features including remote support, asset reporting, windows updates, etc. ------------------------------------------- Eric Miller Assoc. AIA Director of Technology Boulder Associates Architects Boulder CO -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 07-10-2014 17:38 From: Steven Groth Subject: Remote Desktop Access solutions? We are using Remote Web Access, which is a component of our Microsoft Small Business Server. It's very simple to use and everyone loves it. You take over your office workstation remotely, so you can sit at home and work directly on your office desktop. All processing is done on the office workstation; just the keystrokes and screenshots are sent across the net. Management is pretty easy also. It is very easy at the server to grant or deny remote access, and control which stations each user has access to. ------------------------------------------- Steven Groth AIA Project Architect, Director of Specifications, Computer Systems Manager Uihlein-Wilson Architects Milwaukee WI -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 07-09-2014 18:36 From: Ian Roth Subject: Remote Desktop Access solutions? Hello TAP, My firm is looking into implementing a remote desktop access solution and we'd like to learn what other architecture firms are using. We are interested in some fairly basic functionality: allowing users to access their work desktop applications from their home PCs, personal iPads, Android tablets and smartphones. Remote file access (ie. copying a work file to the home PC) is not required, or even desired. Concerns are mainly coming from IT regarding antivirus security. Some of the solutions we've come across include Cisco AnyConnect, LogMeIn, TeamViewer and Google Chrome Remote. So... is your firm using a remote access solution? Is it set up in-house (VPN) or a subscription-, web-based service? Is it managed through your IT department, or do users have the freedom to install whatever consumer-grade software they like? Are you concerned about a virus getting into your network? Thanks in advance! ------------------------------------------- Ian Roth, AIA Director of Building Information Modeling RNL Denver CO -------------------------------------------

Ian: Steven is giving the best advice. We have used Remote Desktop for years with great success. It also does not require loading unnecessary programs on laptops & tablets. Good Luck! ------------------------------------------- Burton L. Roslyn, FAIA President Roslyn Consultants, LLC Roslyn Heights, New York -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 07-10-2014 17:38 From: Steven Groth Subject: Remote Desktop Access solutions? We are using Remote Web Access, which is a component of our Microsoft Small Business Server. It's very simple to use and everyone loves it. You take over your office workstation remotely, so you can sit at home and work directly on your office desktop. All processing is done on the office workstation; just the keystrokes and screenshots are sent across the net. Management is pretty easy also. It is very easy at the server to grant or deny remote access, and control which stations each user has access to. ------------------------------------------- Steven Groth AIA Project Architect, Director of Specifications, Computer Systems Manager Uihlein-Wilson Architects Milwaukee WI -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 07-09-2014 18:36 From: Ian Roth Subject: Remote Desktop Access solutions? Hello TAP, My firm is looking into implementing a remote desktop access solution and we'd like to learn what other architecture firms are using. We are interested in some fairly basic functionality: allowing users to access their work desktop applications from their home PCs, personal iPads, Android tablets and smartphones. Remote file access (ie. copying a work file to the home PC) is not required, or even desired. Concerns are mainly coming from IT regarding antivirus security. Some of the solutions we've come across include Cisco AnyConnect, LogMeIn, TeamViewer and Google Chrome Remote. So... is your firm using a remote access solution? Is it set up in-house (VPN) or a subscription-, web-based service? Is it managed through your IT department, or do users have the freedom to install whatever consumer-grade software they like? Are you concerned about a virus getting into your network? Thanks in advance! ------------------------------------------- Ian Roth, AIA Director of Building Information Modeling RNL Denver CO -------------------------------------------

Steven, We use both Parallels Access and LogMeIn Pro as they are cross platform and available on multiple mobile devices.  Parallels Access works great from the iPads as does LogMeIn Ignition, however Parallels access will also wake up your workstation.  We use Parallels Access more often from the field as the program "appify's" your workstation, which is a welcome feature when working with your thumbs.

But we also use LogMeIn Pro, when using a Laptop or other desktop to log in remotely.  The features are seamless from those platforms and there is no lag time.  Its like being at your workstation.  The LogMeIn ignition app is just as good, except that the resolution is maintained and you may find yourself moving your mouse across a very small screen.  So if my workstations are asleep, I wake them up with Parallels Access and if I need more detailed handling of files, etc., I will disconnect from Parallels Access and switch to LogMeIn Ignition.  I've only had to do this a few times as PA is very powerful.  Good luck.

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Ricardo Ramos Assoc. AIA, LEED® AP, CSI
Arcadia CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-10-2014 17:38
From: Steven Groth
Subject: Remote Desktop Access solutions?

We are using Remote Web Access, which is a component of our Microsoft Small Business Server.  It's very simple to use and everyone loves it.  You take over your office workstation remotely, so you can sit at home and work directly on your office desktop.  All processing is done on the office workstation; just the keystrokes and screenshots are sent across the net.  Management is pretty easy also.  It is very easy at the server to grant or deny remote access, and control which stations each user has access to.

-------------------------------------------
Steven Groth AIA
Project Architect, Director of Specifications, Computer Systems Manager
Uihlein-Wilson Architects
Milwaukee WI
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