Extrasys hosted desktop FAQs
Our sales team has collated the following list of frequently asked questions; but if your question is not answered below then please contact us.
- Can I access the desktop from anywhere?
- You can securely access the Hosted Desktop from any internet connected device through a web browser. All that is required is that port 443 is open on your firewall - the same port that internet banking websites use. See our remote working page for more information.
- How can Extrasys be used from an internet café if it is not possible to download the Citrix ICA client?
- Access to your entire Outlook folder structure is achievable through the Extrasys web-mail service. You can also access the full desktop using a Java application; but this may reduce the connection quality. To access the Extrasys desktop using the Java client go to our login page and select the 'Client type' from 'Advanced options'.
- Where can I download a Citrix ICA client for my computer or device?
- You can download ICA clients for your computer or device from this website or the Citrix downloads site.
- Will there be any interruption to business as clients are migrated to Extrasys?
- No, this will be done seamlessly with testing taking place outside working hours. Migration typically happens over a weekend so you leave your old IT system on the Friday at COB and commence with Extrasys on the Monday morning.
- Will I still have to log out of applications when back-ups are taking place?
- No, you will never notice a service interruption while back-ups and updates take place.
- Will we receive training on Extrasys prior to the switch-over?
- As the switch-over takes place, members of Extrasys staff will be present to provide assistance; however once logged-on, all applications will be accessible as normal, so training requirements are generally minimal.
- How does Extrasys fit into Bailey Teswaine?
- Extrasys operates as a division of Bailey Teswaine, benefitting from Bailey Teswaine's wealth of project and service management. See the about us pages for more information.
- Can Extrasys develop applications for customers?
- Yes, we develop branded applications or white label products for our customers to brand as desired.
- As a home-user, what are the benefits of using Extrasys?
- Extrasys will provide faster access to data and applications, with complete replication of your office environment.
- Will I be able to manage my own IT user groups?
- With the Extrasys e-commerce platform clients will be able to add and amend users online and also change the applications that each user has access to. This can also be done by calling the support desk and making a request. Currently, however, all Active Directory security groups are managed by Extrasys; but there is no charge for changes to client security groups.
- How quickly can I get a new application onto my desktop?
- If it is a Microsoft application that Extrasys already provides it can be added instantly; users simply have to log out and back in to their desktop or refresh their applications from their Windows start menu to activate it. Third-party applications must be virtualised and licenses are required so they take slightly longer to put in place. If we already provide the third-party application to another client then all we require is a valid license to make it available to you.
- How do Extrasys hosted services differ from BT Office Anywhere?
- BT Office Anywhere is essentially a mobile office solution providing email, calls, calender, documents and contacts to a mobile device, which BT provide. Extrasys allows complete access to your business computing environment from any web-connected device as well as the facility to access emails, contacts, documents, your calender as well as shared calendars from a mobile device such as a smart phone or Blackberry.
- What is the difference between a hosted desktop and a remote PC acccess solution like GoToMyPC?
- Basic remote PC access solutions are a clearly different product to Extrasys. Such solutions allow you to access an actual PC that needs to be left both switched on and connected to the internet. Extrasys is a virtual environment that can be securely accessed 24 hours a day. Extrasys can store all of your data and applications and alleviates the requirement for businesses to manage data backups, licenses, security and support issues.
- Will I notice a difference in performance speed in Extrasys compared to using a local PC?
- No, the performance speed should be no worse and - due to reduced cross-application interference - possibly better than on your PC. Your applications run remotely on our servers so they are independent of your local device, and your data is stored remotely, too.
- Do I need a very fast internet connection to use Extrasys?
- No, because you don't need to download files from our servers in order to edit them, and your virtual hosted desktop screen doesn't use much bandwidth. For example, ten users can share a typical broadband connection to access their hosted desktops at the same time with PC-like performance. A 3G connection is also more than sufficient to provide good service.
- What customer service does Extrasys provide?
- Currently Extrasys provide a manned helpdesk during normal working hours and can accept voicemails and email support requests 24 hours a day.
- What is the set up cost of moving to Extrasys?
- The normal set up cost for Extrasys is the equivalent of one month's service subscription to Extrasys
- Can I use an Apple Mac to access Extrasys and can I use Apple Software in the hosted desktop
- You can access the hosted desktop from an Apple Mac as you can from a windows or Linux system. However you will not be able to transfer Apple-based software packages to Extrasys, only software packages that run in a Windows operating system.
- Can I access the hosted desktop through Linux?
- Yes, as with Apple, the Extrasys Hosted Desktop can be accessed through Linux; however Linux based applications cannot be run in the Extrasys environment.
- Can I use my bespoke software packages in the hosted desktop?
- Third-party and bespoke Windows-based packages can be added to the Extrasys hosted desktop; many different packages are already in use by Extrasys customers. Before we implement your solution or enter a contract with you, we will review your hosted application requirements.
- What security is there to protect my data?
- Firstly your data is stored across two secure, enterprise-level data centres that have very high security. All access to Extrasys is encrypted, and the latest anti-virus software is in place. As your business data never has to leave the secure Extrasys environment, there is no risk of it being stolen on a portable device either. See our security page for more information.
- Is there internet browser filtering within the hosted desktop?
- This is optional, but the level of filtering is not tailored for individual clients. Bailey Teswaine has its own filtering policy which can be applied to customer accounts if required.
- How do you store my data?
- Data is stored on a RAID array with 24x7 4-hour response support from the vendor. The data is snapshotted on a regular basis and backed up to tape. Data is also mirrored to another enterprise-level data centre if requested (at additional cost). See our data storage and back-up page for more information.
- Does Extrasys supply broadband?
- The provision of internet connectivity is part of the Extrasys product roadmap in partnership with Bailey Teswaine. In the meantime we are able to arrange connectivity through our existing partners, but you are free to use any ISP.
- What happens to my business's data at the end of my contract?
- All files are returned to you and all your business data is removed from the Extrasys environment.