Expertcity Gears Up

Solution providers working with Expertcity said GoToMyPC provides small businesses with a low-cost remote-access alternative. The service lets users access their office systems from any Internet-connected PC.

Joel Borovay, co-president of Tempe, Ariz.-based Insight Services, said GoToMyPC targets his company's customer base: businesses with 50 to 2,000 seats.

"There is a tremendous need in the [small and midsize enterprise space for remote access, but it's a bit beyond their budget to go with something like a VPN or a Citrix solution," said Borovay. "GoToMyPC gives them a less-expensive option for remote access and still has the security needed to conduct business online."

Setup for the service is minimal, solution providers said. Users download a Java applet from GoToMyPC.com and then follow a wizard to designate preferences. After setup is complete, users can access office or "host" PCs by logging onto the GoToMyPC.com Web site and entering their e-mail address and password.

The screen from the system being accessed remotely is then displayed on the users' systems.

"The service gives you secure access to all your files, data, applications,everything you'd normally have access to sitting at your office PC," said Shannon Jessup, director of channel programs at Santa Barbara-based Expertcity.

The company's new channel program has three levels. Large resellers that handle their own pre- and post-sales support and back-end processes such as billing will receive a 15 percent to 20 percent up-front commission for an annual contract. Resellers relying on Expertcity for sales and back-end support will receive a 10 percent to 15 percent commission up front, and referral partners will receive a 10 percent commission when Expert-city closes a deal.

The per-seat, per-month service price decreases as users are added. For example, the service costs $14.95 per seat, per month for 100 users and $19.95 per seat, per month for 10 users.

David Morken, president of Bandwidth.com, a Durham, N.C.-based solution provider, said he began relying so heavily on the GoToMyPC service that he thought it would appeal to his customers.

"The value is compelling to our customers who simply want to access their work PC from home, after hours or on weekends, or for those who travel extensively," Morken said.

Besides allowing users to access files, the service could enable Web developers and IT outsourcers to share documents and collaborate with clients via a guest/visitor feature, Jessup said.