I really enjoy working from home. It’s relaxing, comfortable, and I don’t have to commute! However, I always had to remember to bring home a laptop and any files I needed. What if I forget one of them? Worse still, what if the laptop is stolen and my data is lost or compromised? Your BC200 can help you out. It’s not a new feature, but it really is a useful one. I’m talking about a Virtual Private Network, which is a simple way to connect to the office network from anywhere with an Internet connection. It takes just a few steps to set up, too. Open Business Central Manager, and click on Remote Office Access. Follow the instructions to set up either a PPTP or IPsec VPN. I’m going to recommend the ‘Help’ files this time, rather than have you follow my instructions. Just click the ‘Learn More…’ BUTTONS if you’re not sure what is right.

Here are some creative uses for a VPN, some that you may not have heard of:

• connecting to an office file server, so you can work from home.
• sending documents to network printers at the office.
• backing up data remotely, just in case something happens to your home machine or laptop.
• using a work softphone at home – the callers will never know that you’re at home, instead of at your desk. You’re still reachable, but callers don’t ever need to know your home number.
• accessing company web servers for editing web pages or using a business instant messaging application.
• making a proxy connection for Internet traffic – one of our contractors used her BC200 to watch her favourite local TV via Slingshot while she worked overseas!
• deterring traffic snoopers – it is safer to use a VPN when you’re using a hotspot, for example.

So there you have it. It’s not much work to set up, but it really does open up a lot of connectivity possibilities. I’m going to leave it there for this week.

-Dave.

(P.S. – I’m not in my office while I write this!)

My name is Dave, and I’ve been asked to test the Business Central in a variety of real-life situations for the Sutus company blog. In the next few weeks, I hope to bring some of the lesser-known features of the Business Central 200 to this page.

I’m not a tech worker by trade, so I hope to write about a variety of ideas that are useful to those of us who use this on a day-to-day basis. I hope that this helps you find ways to get more value from your BC200. If you have any questions (or suggestions,) please feel free to reply to a post. Welcome!

-Dave.