Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Virtual Desktop?
A Proxios Virtual Desktop is a Microsoft Windows desktop deployed to your PC either across the internet or through one of Proxios’s managed private connections. The Proxios Virtual Desktop interface has all of the familiarity of a standard Microsoft desktop and the applications running on your PC now, but the processing is entirely handled by a series of high availability virtual servers within one of our secure data centers. Your PC effectively becomes a terminal, or merely a means of connecting to your data and software.
How do I network all my locations and telecommuters?
Networking all of your locations and telecommuters is easy when you make use of Proxios’s suite of desktop products. It is important to note that all of your employees will be networked together, once they connect to their desktop. They can connect to their desktops, whether they are in the office or on the road, as long as they have an internet connection. Internet connections types include but are not limited to Cable, DSL, T-1, and MPLS.
Proxios offers a variety of fully managed and monitored private connections, including T-1 and MPLS service, to any of your offices in the continental United States. All of our managed services have Quality of Service included in order to ensure your employees are guaranteed the optimal bandwidth for each of their sessions. Please contact our sales department for pricing on managed private connections.
How do I access my Virtual Desktop?
Any PC, laptop, or thin client with an internet connection and a web browser can be used to access the Proxios Web Portal where you simply enter a User ID and Password to bring up your personal Proxios Virtual Desktop.
How do I access my Email?
Simply log in to your Virtual Desktop and launch Outlook as you normally would. We will migrate everything from your mailbox during the installation process. In addition to standard Microsoft Outlook access, Proxios provides customers with a webmail portal, as well as the option to synchronize your Windows Mobile phone, Blackberry, and iPhone to your mailbox.
What programs can I run on an Proxios Desktop?
All programs designed to run on a Windows desktop will run the same as they do now on your existing PC or server. We can provide licensing for Microsoft Office productivity applications or if you already own the licenses, we can use them.
What about my Industry Specific Business Applications?
We recognize almost every business uses some type of industry specific software and we load those applications on your Virtual Desktop along with your standard Office applications. This gives you remote access to all your programs, data, and files and eliminates any need for in house servers.
What about security?
Secure access to your desktop is maintained through Proxios’s secure web portal. Once you are connected to your desktop, all traffic between you and the datacenter is secured through our standard encryption levels. Learn more view our video "Proxios Security rivals huge company security"
What about back-ups?
Proxios maintains a daily backup schedule for all client data, including SQL, Exchange, and client specific data. The backup schedule is as follows:
- Full Backup – Friday night
- Differential Backup – Monday through Thursday nights
Full backups are held for one month, before they are overwritten. At all times, a set of full backups is held at two separate off site locations for recovery purposes in the event of a large scale disaster.
In addition to client data, server images are part of the backup routine. In the event of a large scale disaster, servers can be restored from images without having to configure and install software, since software and hardware configurations are saved in the image file. This allows Proxios to provide a higher level of availability to our customers by minimizing recovery time.
Do we have to change email addresses?
No. We will work with the registrar and current provider to transfer all addresses as well as emails and contacts.
How scalable will my IT infrastructure be with Proxios?
One of the benefits of an Proxios virtual environment includes the ability to scale quickly. New servers can be added, removed, and configured in real time, which allows you to grow your business as quickly as you can.
What kind of training will my staff need?
Minimal. Part of the benefit is the Proxios Desktop works the same as any standard windows desktop. We will provide training prior to go-live for all your users on log in procedures, navigation, accessing storage and printing. Learn more view our video "Virtual Desktop Increases Employee Productivity"
How does my staff get support for IT issues?
We take support calls 24x7 either by phone or by email. Learn more view our video "Proxios Remote Desktop offers 24/7 Support"
What is the response time for a support call?
Good question. Unlike most support agreements, which have 2, 4 or 8 hours to respond to your support request we go to work immediately upon receiving your request.
Does this require a lot of bandwidth?
No. Both the data and voice traffic is relatively “skinny.” Our customers find the quality of their connection to be more important than the amount of bandwidth.
What if our building is inaccessible or the data circuit goes down?
Simply relocate to a spot where you have internet connection and you are back in business just as if you were sitting in your office. If you are an Proxios phone customer, then your soft phone can work exactly as it does from your primary work location.
Is the service guaranteed?
Yes. We offered Guaranteed Service Level Agreements (SLA).
How does the price compare to the traditional approach?
This is a very competitive option from a price perspective. When hardware, software, support, and immediate scalability are rolled in to a single monthly payment, you find that expenses become very predictable and the need for big capital investments is eliminated. Leran more view our video "Proxios Virtual Desktops save companies time and money"
Can we add or delete users and software programs?
Yes. Both the users and software applications can be changed on a monthly basis to reflect current business needs.
Who owns all the equipment?
We own all the expensive servers and network infrastructure. When new infrastructure equipment is required, it is our responsibility. All you need is the PC or laptop you use today.
How do we handle printing?
During installation, we will map all your existing printers to the appropriate users so your printing works just like it does today. We also provide a print server to clients who opt for Proxios’s managed private connections.
What do we do about hosting our website?
Proxios can host your site and help with integration to your other business applications.
How deep is your staff?
The Proxios engineering and support staff supports a wide variety of technologies that require them to have diverse skills and capabilities. In addition to our own staff, we collaborate heavily with independent consultants who are subject matter experts and vendors who provide direct support in designing our infrastructure.
How long does it take to setup my company with Proxios?
Normally we can have you online and running in 15-30 days. When new data communication circuits are required the lead-time can be extended.
Can you help us evaluate a new business application?
Yes. We have done this frequently and it has been quite beneficial for our clients to have us included in selecting the best application and platform needed to support the new application.
Does Proxios filter spam?
Yes. We have redundant spam filtration systems at separate locations as part of our email continuity plan.
How is maintenance handled?
Whenever system maintenance is performed, we send out maintenance notifications by email, whether downtime is expected or not. We want to keep our customer base as informed as possible, so Proxios support staff provide the date, the time, the impacted systems, and the severity of the maintenance in the notification. As always, you are welcome to call for more details regarding any maintenance.
Can you monitor my internet traffic?
Yes. If you choose to get Proxios private connections, we can manage and monitor network traffic coming in and out of your office. This allows us to check for media streaming, download applications, such as torrents or Limewire, instant messaging applications, as well as a host of other protocols. In the event that one of your employees is using a non-business application, we will notify you and provide the computer and application being used. This allows you to manage your employees’ time making your organization more productive.
Can Proxios monitor hardware?
Yes. We utilize one of the most advanced pieces of monitoring software on the market. Not only will it monitor our hardware, but it allows us to provide you with information on your user sessions, network, data, applications, as well as many other aspects of your environment.