Remote Access Software and Services

If your preferred home automation software does not include or cannot be upgraded to provide built-in web access, you still have remote access options. You can use remote access software or remote access services from various vendors to create a connection between the home PC and a remote PC. Remote access software programs such as PC Anywhere (Symantec) or LapLink Gold are difficult for nonprofessionals to use and require you to install complex client and server software. On the other hand, remote access services offer web-based access with minimal configuration of the server and an easy-to-use client. Some remote access services support remote connections from PDAs, smart phone devices, and PCs running a non-Windows operating system, such as Mac OS or Linux.