The Remote Desktop Software Market

Channel Insider content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

By Sam Ingalls

Enterprise and small-to-medium (SMB) organizations utilize remote desktop software to access and manage business no matter their physical location. 

Remote desktop software (RDS) enables organizations to offer their services more conveniently and ease general organization-wide communication problems. Uses include direct remote access to a network device, such as a computer, server or industrial device, to advanced analysis tools, such as a sandbox environment for testing suspicious code. 

The term remote desktop software is also interchangeably used with remote access software. In this article, we dive into the remote desktop software market, including features, benefits, use cases, and market trends.

Remote desktop software

1. What is remote desktop software?

a. How does remote desktop software work?

2. Features of remote desktop software

a. Encrypted communication

b. Customization and configurability

c. Cross-platform compatibility

3. Remote desktop software benefits

4. Use cases for remote desktop software

a. Enhanced security and patch management

b. Integrated and reliable access

c. Automated IT processes

5. Remote desktop software market

a. RDS clients and users

b. Remote desktop software vendors

Also read: The dream of managed desktop

What is remote desktop software (RDS)?

Remote desktop software is an application that enables remote access and support between a local computer (client) and a remote control computer (server). Technology such as RDS allows organizations to consider fully remote and hybrid models for the staff. In this light, remote desktop applications offer remote access, secure communication and a more accessible and collaborative environment for personnel and customers. 

From accessing the office desktop to offering technical support to a client, remote access software is an in-demand technology for an economy moving online. 

A customer support representative takes a call. Courtesy Adobe Stock.

How does remote desktop software work? 

Remote desktop software is a downloaded program on both the client and server computer to establish the connection. From there, both parties can configure settings for a better user experience or maximize the remote desktop session with chatbox or shared clipboard features. Most importantly, the server computer, whether a technician working with a client’s device or staff working on their office computer, can fully access the client computer for operational business. 

Also read: What is TeamViewer? Complete TeamViewer review 2021

Features of remote desktop software

Encrypted communication

The notable remote desktop vendors offer security levels equivalent to the financial industry with TLS 1.2, RSA public/private key exchange and AES 256-bit encryption. With encryption, the customer password never leaves the client computer and isn’t accessible to the vendor or potential threat actors, such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. With robust authentication and encryption features, users can trust that their device’s information is safe. 

Customization and configurability

Global brands often deploy remote access software, but you might not have realized they were using a third-party’s remote desktop software. Enterprises want to plug their logo on the application when working with clients. 

Remote desktop software customers, usually technical professionals, also have a range of settings that they configure to maximize operations. With the ability to manage policy rules, control connection modes, and more, organizations deploying RDS configure the application to meet their technical requirements. 

Cross-platform compatibility 

Remote access software offers cross-platform compatibility to ensure that RDS organizations can connect with users no matter their device. Mobile support and the ease of downloading an application also make compatibility crucial for users.

Also read: What is LogMeIn? Complete LogMeIn review 2021

Remote desktop software benefits
 

Deploying remote desktop software can offer anything from team collaboration to serving clients across the globe with hands-on technical assistance.

Connected

As many RDS users serve customers in a wide geographic area, having 24/7 access to address business or customer emergencies is critical. Technical professionals can easily work with remote devices and offer prompt action or assistance. 

Resource savings

Personnel can connect with customers from the office, home or anywhere. Those personnel using the remote access software can fulfill their duties more efficiently and save the organization staff and service-related costs. 

Content customers

No matter the vendor, an expected benefit of remote desktop software is the increased customer satisfaction. When a technician connects to a customer’s computer, they can show the customer in real-time how to troubleshoot an issue. With faster service and the ability to see the solution on their monitor, customers can get the support and resolution they need. 

Also read: WebEx enters remote PC access market

Use cases for remote desktop software 

Enhanced security and patch management

When interacting with many parties and devices over the internet, security needs to be a top priority. Organizations like Jacobs Engineering Group that work with several government clients, needed a solution that could help close the patch management gap between a vendor and customers. By deploying the Kaseya VSA remote desktop software, Jacobs was able to automate updates and patch management for their systems, ensuring consistent security when working with high-profile customers. 

Also read: Kaseya, Lenovo team for PC managed services 

Integrated and reliable access

Scotland-based CCL Design Electronics is a multinational manufacturing and design company that uses Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) through VMware. CCL needed a cloud-ready virtualization solution that could offer reliable access to enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. By deploying Parallels RAS, the organization could implement the software in a few hours and securely adapt to a bring your own device (BYOD) policy at the workplace. The results included increased remote accessibility and streamlined management for conducting business on a global stage.

Automated IT processes

SolarWinds N-able’s remote desktop software N-central contains an Automation Manager where personnel can drag-and-drop for policy changes, use scripting for complete control and configure automatic self-healing policies. 

Referring to N-central’s impact, Premier Technology Solutions CTO Anthony Quaresima said, “Before using N-central, we were a break-fix business. We have turned into a managed service company that uses tools from a single login and automates all the tasks that we would’ve done by hand.”

Also read: Microsoft preps remote management tool for channel partners

Remote desktop software market

RDS clients and users

Deployment of RDS has been a significant enhancement for computer manufacturing, enterprise help desks, health care and IT firms. In each industry, technical assistance and troubleshooting are core services offered to customers. Typical results for users deploying remote desktop software include improved efficiency and customer satisfaction and lower total cost of ownership. 

Remote desktop software makers

The RDS market has many firms vying for a share of the market. Here’s a group of current RDS vendors: 

Also read: Channel Insider’s guide to zero client virtualization