Over the last 2 years I have made recommendations to many multi-channel service vendors that they consider partnering or acquiring some remote support technology. To me, it makes perfect sense. Today’s remote support tools allow access to a wide array of operating systems and devices, including Mac, Linux, unattended servers (creating a market for B2B remote support), mobile devices, the list goes on and on. And, as the home office and home theatre begin merging, remote support tools will be able to diagnose and resolve all sorts of consumer issues.
So I was thrilled to see the announcment on Monday that Consona had acquired the remote support software assets from SupportSoft. SupportSoft was an early leader in remote support, with innovative capabilities far beyond remote control: diagnostics, self-healing scripts, etc. In fact, I did a case study on SupportSoft’s success at BellSouth back in 2002. In the last couple of years, SupportSoft reinvented itself as Support.com, a 3rd party support desk for consumers and SMBs, and no longer wanted to be in the enterprise software business.
Remote support technology is primarily used by the communications, consumer hardware and software, and IT support industries. But, as platforms expand and new device and OS support is added, the business case for remote support expands. As an example, I read last week that another remote support vendor, LogMeIn, had signed a deal with Ford to include LogMeIn’s remote access feature in a new dashboard control allowing owners of Ford F-150, Super Duty, E-Series and Transit Connect trucks and vans to access applications and files on any interent connected computer. This technology will soon be a basic part of our daily lives.
I’ve done a lot of webcasts about remote support, and one thing I’ve found is that the ROI for remote support is much higher when the tool is deeply integrated with the support architecture. Here’s a graphic from one of those webcasts: (more…)