01Communique I'm InTouch 6.1 Premium review

I'm InTouch is a rival to the big names in remote access, such as LogMeIn and GoToMyPC. We reviewed the Standard version four months ago (What's New, Shopper 246), and were impressed by the number of features.

This new Premium version is aimed at businesses and provides remote access to any office PC with I'm InTouch installed, even if it's switched off. All you need is a server that's turned on and running the same software.

All the Standard version's features are present, including the ability to print remote documents locally, hear remote sound and make a presentation to up to 10 viewers. We like the file-transfer screen, even if the interface looks dated, and the option to view the feed from a remote webcam.

Logging in to a remote PC is simple, and as it operates over port 80, company firewalls won't be a problem. There are plenty of options for how the remote computer should handle connections - from blanking the screen and locking the keyboard and mouse to a stealth 'child monitoring' mode that shows no signs that someone has logged in.

While the software supports multiple monitors, however, the desktop image appears as a single wide screen and can't be shown on two separate local monitors. You either have to scroll around or try to keep everything on one of the remote monitors.

The remote wake-up feature only works with computers that support Wake-on-LAN, and several of the laptops we tried didn't have this option in the BIOS. The same goes for Sleep mode.

At this price, I'm InTouch 6.1 Premium is a sensible choice only if you can and will use the remote wake-up feature. Otherwise, there are cheaper or free alternatives.

Author: Jim Martin