Remote Users Get Free Access to Their Office PCs

The basic LogMeIn offering enables users to tap into the applications on their office PCs via a Web browser at any networked device. The free service uses Woburn, Mass.-based 3am Labs SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) virtual private network. For $12.95 a month, the LogMeIn Pro service adds file and folder synchronization and secure file distribution capabilities, as well as enabling users to locally print files that reside on their remote PCs.

Both end-user services can be managed by LogMeIn Scout. This free service enables systems administrators to discover instances of LogMeIn users—as well as users of Symantec Corp.s pcAnywhere, Citrix Systems Inc.s GoToMyPC and the virtual network computing mechanism—on their networks. LogMeIn Scout also lets them define security and usage policies for LogMeIn and to deploy LogMeIn on their networks with their own security policies embedded, officials said.

"This is targeted to appeal to both end users and network managers and admins, who often are polar opposites," said 3am Labs CEO Michael Simon. "End users like this because they can get into this for free; this is the first-ever free remote control product that works behind firewalls. It is a huge shift in what you get for value.

"On the other side, LogMeIn Scout is the piece of the puzzle that was missing for network and systems administrators," Simon continued. "It allows you to define log-in policies that adhere to corporate policies. Its not just a snapshot; it works in the future, too."

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