Remote desktop is an operating system feature that allows the user to connect to a computer in another location, see that computer's desktop and interact with it as if it were local. You can access the Remote Desktop program by going to Start and typing in 'remote'. The top result should be 'Remote Desktop Connection'. Should you wish to connect to your work PC, you will need to be connected to the company network and know the PC name e.g. EC01 (there will be a sticker on top of your PC with the EC number). If you are outside of the company network, i.e. working from home, you must start your VPN connection before using Remote Desktop. Please click here for guides on using the VPN. You may wish to use Remote Desktop to use some software you don't have on your current computer or to access some documents you've not saved on network drives.

Requirements:  Connection to the company network either by working in the office or via a VPN connection Knowledge of the computer name you wish to connect to e.g. EC01 Follow the below steps: If you are on a laptop outside the office, start your VPN connection - Set up a VPN Connection Click on Start and type in 'remote' and click on Remote Desktop Connection In the Computer box, type the name of the computer you wish to connect to, e.g. EC01 and click Connect Your username should auto-populate so you just need to type in your Windows password, the password you use to log in, and press OK You will now be connected to your desired computer

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet – in this case, your workplace for accessing local network resources remotely. When you connect your computer (or another device, such as a smartphone or tablet) to a VPN, the computer acts as if it’s on the same local network as the VPN. All your network traffic is sent over a secure connection to the VPN. Because your computer behaves as if it’s on the network, this allows you to securely access local network resources even when you’re on the other side of the world. If you require VPN access, please contact HR. Your request, if approved, will be forwarded to IT Support to setup VPN access permissions.

If you are not in the office and connecting to the company network via a VPN connection, your network drives may need to be connected manually by executing the script after the VPN connection is established. Connect Network Drives Start the VPN Connection Once you are connected over the VPN, run a script to connect your network drives - "Connect Network Drives over VPN". The script shortcut is on your Desktop Wait 1-2 minutes (depending on your connection speed) for the Network drives to be connected

To start the VPN connection, you will need the “WatchGuard Mobile VPN” client application. The application should already be installed on your computer and there will be an icon on your desktop named "Mobile VPN". If you can’t find the “WatchGuard Mobile VPN” application, please contact IT Support. START VPN CONNECTION Double-click “Mobile VPN” icon on your Desktop. WatchGuard Mobile VPN application starts. Click Connection toggle and enter your Windows login credentials. Click OK.     If the connection is successful you shall see Connection toggle turn green. Connection established. You are now connected.     There is also a Taskbar icon for VPN client. When not connected – RED icon, when connected – GREEN icon. VPN is Not Connected VPN is Connected   To keep the connection active, minimize the VPN client windows. To end the VPN session, click Connection toggle on the VPN client application window.   Note: all internet traffic is routed via the company network and specific content may be filtered or restricted.   You can connect network drives by following this guide.  

WatchGuard VPN OSX 1. Download the latest version of our VPN client http://cdn.watchguard.com/SoftwareCenter/Files/NCP/12_5_2/WG-Mobile-VPN_macOS_x86-64_400_46079.dmg 2. Run the installer package 2. During the install wizard (do not enable advance FIPS mode) 3. Enter your local security password to install this software 4. Important step, click on “Open Security Preferences” and re-enter security password > Under Security & Privacy “General” please grant permission to: System software from developer “NCP engineering GmBH”  > Unlock padlock, click “Allow” and close this window Confirmation should be displayed. 4. OSX shall now reboot 5. Upon login, the VPN wizard shall start please click Cancel 6. Within the main profile window, click on Import 7. Now import the following file: Excel Portfolios.ini (Config file would have been sent under a support ticket, password to decrypt the file would have been sent via SMS) 8. Import the config file and click Next > Press Next again Enter your Windows User ID and Password: User ID: firstname.surname, Password: CompanyDomainPassword Click Finish to complete the VPN configuration profile Click OK You are ready to connect to our VPN service.

Please check the System Requirements here to see if your desktop/laptop is supported. Providing you have been given access to use ConnectWise Control, you can access your work PC from your personal desktop/laptop. Click here to access to ConnectWise Control website or copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://excelportfolios.screenconnect.com/Login  You should have received an email regarding your ConnectWise Control account. Log in with the temporary password on the email and specify a new password. When you first log in, you'll need to check your email for an authentication code. You can select the box to 'Trust this device' so you're not asked for the code again. Once you've logged in, you'll see your assigned computer in the list. Double-click on the computer in the list to download the ConnectWise Client that you will use to connect to your work PC. Click on the downloaded file and install it on your PC. Note that you must log in to the website every time you'd like to connect to your PC and you cannot just double-click on the downloaded file every time. After the install, you will be presented with your work PC. A guide on using ConnectWise Control can be found by clicking here.

Once you've connected you have several tools available to you through the ConnectWise Control window. These are explained below. The View Menu Select the 'monitor' icon to show the tools available in the View menu. This option allows you to separate your monitors (if you have more than one monitor) into separate windows. This allows you to replicate dual-screen setups whilst working remotely. Choose a lower quality if network conditions create a slow connection. The Essentials Menu Select the 'lightning bolt' icon to show the tools available in the Essentials menu. This option allows you to send Ctrl-Alt-Del to the remote machine. If you press Ctrl-Alt-Del on your laptop/computer, it will take effect on your laptop/computer and NOT the computer you're connecting to. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl-Alt-Home as a shortcut. If you copy and paste something on your local laptop/computer, you can use this option to paste that text onto the machine you're connecting to. Alternatively, copy and paste will work across the local and remote machine. Restart your computer quickly by selecting this option. Do NOT select 'To Safe Mode'. Select this option to prevent anybody present at the remote machine using the mouse and keyboard. Blackout the remote monitor so nobody can see what you're doing. Print documents to your local printer from the remote PC. The File Transfer Menu Select the arrows to show the tools available in the File Transfer menu. Use these options to send files to the remote machine. Cut/Paste or drag and drop also work and is easier to use. Use these options to receive files on your local machine. Cut/Paste or drag and drop also work and is easier to use. 

Please check the System Requirements here to see if your desktop/laptop is supported. Providing you have been given access to use ConnectWise Control, you can access your work PC from your personal desktop/laptop. Click here to access to ConnectWise Control website or copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://excelportfolios.screenconnect.com/Login  You should have received an email regarding your ConnectWise Control account. Log in with the temporary password on the email and specify a new password. When you first log in, you'll need to check your email for an authentication code. You can select the box to 'Trust this device' so you're not asked for the code again. Once you've logged in, you'll see your assigned computer in the list. Double-click on the computer in the list to download the ConnectWise Client that you will use to connect to your work PC. Chrome may stop you installing the software initially. You can simply click on the drop-down next to the 'Discard' option and select 'Keep'. Click on the downloaded ZIP file and your Mac will unzip it into your Downloads folder. Click 'Open' when it asks you if you're sure you want to open the file. Note that you must log in to the website every time you'd like to connect to your PC and you cannot just double-click on the downloaded file every time. After the install, you will be presented with your work PC. A guide on using ConnectWise Control can be found by clicking here. Although the screenshots in the aforementioned guide will differ from the Mac version, they're named the same and perform the same functions.

Working Remotely – Short Guide 1. Logon to the laptop provided You must ensure you login at least once while still in the office before taking it home 2. After connecting to your home wifi, double-click the grey Mobile VPN shortcut on the desktop:   3. Click the red Connect button   4. Enter your Windows login credentials and click OK   a) If the connection is successful you shall see Connection toggle turn green, and the client will minimize to the notification area Connection established. You are now connected.   b) When not connected it is RED:     When connected it is GREEN:   c) The VPN will stay connected until you disconnect it. To do so, right click on the notification icon and select Disconnect.   Note: all internet traffic is routed via the company network and specific content may be filtered or restricted.   5. You may connect network drives by double-clicking the shortcut on your desktop. This must be run AFTER connecting the VPN:   6. (Optional) If you are the primary user of a desktop computer in your office or care home, you may also connect to this computer remotely and use it as if you were sat in front of it.   Look in the Start Menu (you can type it in the search bar) for Remote Desktop Connection. Enter the computer name of the computer you want to connect to and click Connect. Enter your Windows login credentials to initiate the remote session.     7. When you have finished using your remote desktop, please log off. Do not shut the computer down, or you will not be able to re-connect to it!