General Consultant Discussion

What do you do about customers who require that you use a VPN to access their server. i find it to be a bit of a PITA because each site has a different type of VPN they favor and requires usually a separate setup and configuration on your support machine to access. I understand the logic behind it. The use of multiple VPN clients does not seem sustainable to me. Especially when you start having to debug why VPN brand x won't connect or gives errors or requires VPN SP 3 before it connects......

We specifically state that we require a customer to have RDP, Citrix, or use GoTo Assist in our contracts for on-premises support. Otherwise additional charges apply. If a VPN is required, we charge for the time to install and uninstall each time

I agree, VPNs are troublesome. I generally use GoToAssist to support these customers.

I don't use gotoassist, but the same concept. VPN's are a royal PITA with each client wanting a separate one.

we use WebExSupport and are happy with that. On the positive side, it's nice to have the VPN client option to gain access to servers after hours when no one is around to accept at WebEx request. I know there are tools to install a client side access tool. However, the clients who have invested into a VPN solution understand the security such a tool represents and aren't usually open to such a workaround.

VPN's are something I require their tech support to take care of. Otherwise, it is GTA....

Like Jeff. Offer either LogMeIn or GTA as an alternative to their IT guys having to work.