FAQs
What is a Virtual or Online Desktop?
This is an always-on, remotely accessible computing environment which looks, feels and acts like the computer at your desk. It runs from a secure, power-protected and well-connected enterprise data centre and is designed from the ground up to be highly productive and very reliable.
How do I begin?
Getting access is easy – especially if you have a broadband connection to the Internet. All you need is a simple viewer application, (which may already be installed on your computer), navigate to our website and log in.
How reliable is it?
Our service is designed to be resilient at multiple levels. All key systems are duplicated – therefore if one fails, a backup picks up and takes over.
Why would we give up running our in-house system?
Because it’s expensive, distracting and difficult to do. Small & medium enterprises today are rich with talent and commitment, but also beset with a wide range if problems to solve. If your business is not IT, why spend time being distracted by it? Our business is IT. We believe quality IT brings our customers competitive advantage – and we’re determined to deliver just that.
What software can I run?
Any application which is certified with Windows 2000 or higher is supported, plus many others besides. Our engineering team are always looking for new applications to include, so get in touch (ISV’s included!)
Is my business application supported?
We partner with software houses to provide rental access, thus lowering capital cost. If your particular application is not already provided like this, we’ll work with you and the software vendor to install and adapt it into the Primus Virtual IT environment.
What about licensing – is it legal?
Absolutely, in fact Microsoft has developed a special licensing model that entitles you to rent whatever you need month-by-month, including upgrades. For other applications we use an industry-endorsed license control and metering solution for all our hosted software. This ensures that you can control your usage costs, and rest easy that your software is legally licensed.
Is my data secure?
We take security very seriously. All customer data is carefully secured, providing access only to authorised users. Multiple levels of network security ensure that our environment is in step with industry-standard security practices.
Who backs up my data?
We’ll back up your data at least once per day, generally twice, and in specific cases (i.e. databases) more often than that. Daily snapshots of your data are also transported to another site each evening.
Can I get access to my data?
Your data is always available to you (and any users you authorise) via an encrypted gateway. You are always able to reach your storage areas either to deposit or retrieve your data. Copy backups are also available on request.
How do I get connected?
Primus offers a terrific selection of broadband packages suited to any sized company. Click here to view our Primus Broadband for business site.
What about anti-virus protection?
We secure all our servers with several tiers of anti-virus, anti-spam protection which we keep permanently up to date and secure. We monitor security alerts and take the necessary steps to protect your data so that you can sleep soundly once again.
Can you help me with Disaster Recovery / Business Continuity?
Planning can make the difference between continuing or ceasing trading in the 12 months following a disaster. If you need to be up and running as soon as possible after a disaster, then the Primus Virtual Desktop is for you. We can have your environment up & running in less than 24 hours in most cases. In the event of a catastrophe, your staff can connect from home, serviced offices or anywhere with an Internet connection and work from a desktop environment tailored to provide your business applications.
Can you support multiple sites?
You’re a successful business, and you’re growing – congratulations! But how do you take on a new office premises without wiping out your budget on new IT? Primus Virtual IT allows your staff to access share and manipulate your business data across any location that has access to the Internet.
Mobile & home users are easily integrated too, providing system access for your staff from almost anywhere.
What about a roaming / mobile staff or sales force?
Got a roaming sales force or remote workers? All your staff and colleagues need is Internet access and a client PC or terminal. Your sales team can access critical data from your customers’ premises via wireless, GPRS or 3G data connections, enabling them to focus on giving the quality of service your customers require.
Do I need special hardware?
No. You can connect to Primus Virtual IT from any Windows PC, as well as any Linux or UNIX desktop with Java VM browser support. However, if you want to save on costs & desk space we can provide thin-client devices at a much lower cost than a new PC – a great solution when your existing PC’s need to be replaced! Ask us for details.
