Virtual On-Site Tech Support / Remote Assistance. Ottawa remote computer assistance.

Having trouble with your computer? Wouldn't it be nice to have a technician "beamed" into your office or home to assess and/or fix the problem?

Recent technological advances mean that Adare Enterprises, now has the capability to access your computer remotely, to examine it's configuration, run diagnostics, etc. This can be a cost-effective method of resolving problems, as it eliminates the cost of having a technician travel on-site.

It does require that you have a reasonably functional high-speed internet connection, without which this technology will not function.

This does not mean that we have the ability to spy on you. In fact, only the end user can initiate the process, under the direction of a technician. No software is installed on the user's machine, and the user can terminate the session at any time.

Caution - Some earlier technology (e.g. VNC) required the installation of software on the end user's machine. This meant that the machine was left vulnerable to unauthorized access by unscrupulous people. The new technology is very secure (in fact it uses 128 bit SSL encryption, as used in internet banking) because it has to be initiated by the end user, can be terminated at any time, and does not leave access software running on the target computer.

Q. What is “virtual on-site”?
A. “Virtual on-site” is just like having a technician come to your home or office, but it is done using your high speed internet connection.
Q. What are the benefits?
A. Lower cost, quicker response. Because there is no traveling involved, you save on a technician’s travel time. Very often, when physically on-site, a technician spends time unproductively waiting for diagnostic tests and scans to complete. With Virtual On-site the technician can leave tests running on your computer, and go on to other tasks. You only pay for the actual “hands-on” time, billed in Ľ hour increments. A side benefit is the saving in gasoline, which saves both dollars and the environment.
Q. What is required at my end?
A. All you need is a Windows based computer, running any version of Windows from Windows 98 to Windows XP, and a functioning high-speed internet connection.
Q. How does it work?
A. The process must be initiated by the end-user (you). The Adare technician will give you a URL (website address), either by phone or email, to which you direct your browser. This connects you to one of our support systems, and requires a computer name, user name, and a password which will also be given to you by the support technician. Once the connection is completed, the technician has full control of your computer, and can examine configurations, run diagnostics etc.
Q. How secure is it?
A. Very secure. We use 128 bit SSL encryption, which is the same as used for internet banking. If you are comfortable doing internet banking, you will be happy with this. An important point to note is that because the process must be initiated by the customer, and can be terminated at any time by the customer, nobody can gain unauthorized access to your machine. No remote access software remains on your computer.
Q. How does this compare to other remote access systems?
A. Most other remote access support methods (e.g. pcAnywhere, XP Pro remote assistance) require software be permanently installed on your machine, leaving it vulnerable to unauthorized access.
Q. In what geographic area does this work?
A. World-wide. Any computer with functional internet access can use this.
Q. How do I pay for this?
A. We accept advance block-time payments, for which we give a 10% discount, amounts of $500.00 minimum. You may also pay by credit card, and pay as you go. There is a $10.00 access fee, after which you will be billed $22.00 per Ľ hour increment, minimum charge $32.00.
Q. What if problems cannot be resolved this way?
A. In a few cases, e.g. defective hard disk, it may not be possible to resolve a problem remotely, especially if hardware needs to be replaced. In such cases, we will allow a 50% credit of amounts billed using Virtual On-site, when the computer is brought to us for repair, or we have to go on-site physically.