Any software that can help make remote work easier and more stable is invaluable. As more and more companies are switching to remote or even just hybrid environments, having the ability to support and troubleshoot a computer that is remote is nothing short of a miracle.
Every IT team really needs to invest in remote desktop software not only for end-user support but also with the aim of connecting to and managing servers from anywhere. It can be a huge time saver.
This article will help explain what remote desktop software is and show you some of the best ones on the market right now.
What is remote desktop software?
If you don’t know what remote desktop software is at this point, then what I’m about to tell you is going to blow your mind. It’s software that will allow you to connect to another computer or virtual machine from anywhere. You can not only access the machine remotely but also control it as if you were physically using it. It’s a massive game-changer.
Letting you connect to a user’s computer while they’re on the road or working from home will revolutionize how your deskside support team functions.
For your engineers and server managers, remote desktop software gives them the ability to do their work from wherever they are.
Best remote desktop software
Not all remote desktop software is created equal. For sure, a lot of them have the same basic functionality. But depending on what operating system you’re running across the board, you might want to try different apps. Here are the three best remote desktop software for Macs.
1. Apple Remote Desktop
While it is another app that you have to purchase, Apple Remote Desktop is at least made by Apple. Meaning its connections to all macOS devices are fairly intuitive, and, in most cases, they feel native. It allows you to remotely view and control another Mac’s desktop or server that is connected and online. But perhaps the one downside is that it requires the app to be installed on both computers – the one you’re connecting from and the one you’re connecting to.
Because it is made by Apple, you can download it directly from the App Store.
2. TeamViewer
TeamViewer is another great solution and probably the most preferred app for IT teams because it is a cross-platform tool. TeamViewer will allow you to connect to a Mac, PC, or even a Linux-based device. Plus, you don’t need to connect a Mac to a Mac. You can connect various operating systems to each other. TeamViewer even gives you the option of creating a company-specific URL to help your end users, even if they don’t already have the app installed on their computers.
Check out TeamViewer.
3. Apple Remote Connection
This is very similar to Apple Remote Desktop; however, it only uses Finder. So, it doesn’t need a special application to connect. You just need to make sure your preferences allow remote desktop connection in System Settings. The major drawback of using this native macOS solution is that it requires both computers to be on the same network. So, it’s not a big deal if you’re in the office. But, a major problem if you’re supporting work-from-home computers because, obviously, computers would be in different networks. However, you can still deal with the problem by setting up an office VPN client, so users can connect from anywhere in the world.
Methods to use remote desktop software for Macs
There are quite a few reasons you might want to start using remote desktop software in your Mac environment if you aren’t currently. And if your experience is anything like mine, the more you use it, the more useful you’ll find it.
Aside from the obvious viewing and controlling a Mac remotely, you can also use this software to help you:
- Push software updates.
- Communicate with end-users via chat services.
- Remotely run terminal commands.
- Update password policies.
- Re-establish communication with your environment.
- Manage security policies.
The growing need for remote services, especially in the enterprise environment, is uncanny. Remote work is becoming the norm for many companies, and being able to not only provide desktop support from wherever people are located but also connect to servers and stay within your secured environment is an invaluable tool.
Even if your company is working from home full-time, remote desktop software is definitely something worth exploring. It is especially true if you’re looking into other remote management tools. Patch and software management servers are a great example of this. If you run into a connection or really any error, remote desktop software can help you figure out what’s going on and how to fix it.
