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All About ISL Online

All About ISL Online

Amakiri Welekwe UPDATED: December 18, 2024

Remote access and support solutions have become essential for businesses seeking to maintain efficiency, security, and seamless collaboration. One company that has been leading the way in this space is ISL Online—a pioneer in the remote desktop software industry. ISL Online has built a reputation for providing secure, reliable, and user-friendly solutions for IT professionals, help desk technicians and businesses of all sizes. From its secure remote support tools to its customizable cloud and on-premise deployment options, ISL Online has continuously evolved its product suite to meet the ever-changing demands of the digital landscape.

In this Vendor Spotlight, we’ll take a closer look at ISL Online’s journey, its innovative product offerings, and the company’s commitment to delivering top-tier security and customer satisfaction. Whether you're an IT manager looking for a robust remote support solution or a business seeking greater control over your remote desktop infrastructure, ISL Online has solutions designed to keep you connected, secure, and productive.

The Story of ISL Online: Pioneering Remote Desktop Solutions

ISL Online is one of the trailblazers in the remote desktop software industry, with a rich history of innovation, customer-focused solutions, and global expansion. Since its inception in 2001, ISL Online has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing how businesses and IT professionals remotely manage and support devices and networks across the globe. Through its commitment to security, reliability, and customer satisfaction, the company has become a trusted name, particularly recognized as the leading remote desktop software provider in Japan.

The Founding and Early Days

ISL Online was founded in 2001 under the name “Internet Services Layer” (ISL) with the vision of creating secure, scalable, and reliable remote desktop solutions for businesses of all sizes. The company recognized the growing need for robust IT support tools that could help companies manage their operations remotely, and it sought to fill this gap with software that offered seamless and secure access to remote systems.

From the beginning, ISL Online's focus was on providing easy-to-use, highly secure remote desktop software that could be leveraged by IT professionals, help desk technicians and businesses across a wide range of industries. This vision was realized with the launch of its first remote desktop solution, which gained attention for its reliability, ease of use, and exceptional customer support.

A Commitment to Innovation and Global Expansion

In 2005, ISL Online took a major step forward by establishing the ISL Online Cloud, a global, proprietary cloud infrastructure designed to host remote desktop sessions. The cloud infrastructure was designed to ensure high availability and fast, stable connectivity with minimal latency, enabling users to connect to remote devices from virtually anywhere in the world. With servers strategically located in state-of-the-art facilities across the globe, ISL Online was able to provide a seamless user experience, regardless of geographic location.

This move to cloud computing was instrumental in setting ISL Online apart from its competitors, providing the foundation for its growth and expansion in the years that followed. By the mid-2000s, the company had already begun to gain a global customer base, expanding its reach through a network of authorized partners across the United States, Asia/Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Today, ISL Online operates from multiple office locations around the world, including Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. ISL's cloud infrastructure is powered by global partnerships, including a strategic collaboration with Cloudflare, a leading provider of content delivery network services.

Focus on Security, Reliability, and Customer Support

From its early days, ISL Online has been driven by a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. The company prides itself on offering not just remote desktop software, but also world-class customer support that helps businesses get the most out of their remote access tools. As the company grew, it maintained its focus on continuous product improvement and user feedback, ensuring that it stayed ahead of evolving security threats and technological advancements.

ISL Online became known for its focus on security, an increasingly important consideration as the world moved toward more interconnected digital landscapes. The company's software features cutting-edge encryption and secure protocols that protect data during remote sessions, ensuring that both businesses and end users can feel confident in the safety of their connections.

Over the years, ISL Online's commitment to reliability and innovation has resulted in consistent recognition from industry observers and software users alike. The company has earned a reputation for offering remote desktop software that meets the needs of businesses, ranging from SMBs to Fortune 500 companies.

A Recognized Global Brand

Today, ISL Online is one of the leading players in the remote desktop software space. It has a particularly strong presence in Japan, where it is recognized as the top remote desktop provider. However, its reach spans the globe, with customers from all corners of the world relying on ISL Online to manage their IT infrastructure remotely.

In addition to its robust remote desktop solutions, ISL Online has built a reputation for exceptional customer service, a commitment reflected in the company’s position on platforms like G2, the world’s largest enterprise software marketplace. ISL Online has consistently maintained the highest customer satisfaction scores, demonstrating that its dedication to providing top-notch software and support resonates with users across industries.

A Growing Team and Company Culture

At the heart of ISL Online’s success is its team of experts. The company recognizes that innovation is driven by the talent and creativity of its employees. With a diverse and highly skilled team spread across multiple locations, ISL Online approaches challenges with fresh perspectives and a passion for problem-solving. Each team member brings unique skills and expertise to the table, allowing the company to continue developing cutting-edge solutions for remote desktop access and support.

The company’s inclusive culture fosters collaboration and creativity, encouraging employees to bring new ideas forward, continuously pushing the envelope on how remote desktop software can better serve businesses.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Remote Desktop Solutions

As the demand for remote work and digital collaboration continues to grow, ISL Online remains committed to developing innovative solutions that meet the needs of a rapidly changing world. The company continues to focus on expanding its global network, enhancing its cloud infrastructure, and improving the features and functionality of its remote desktop software.

The future looks bright for ISL Online as it continues to push the boundaries of what remote desktop software can achieve. With a strong foundation in innovation, security, and customer satisfaction, ISL Online is well-positioned to remain a leader in the remote desktop industry for years to come.

ISL Online Core Product Suite

ISL Online

ISL Online's product suite is designed to cater to a wide range of use cases, from small businesses requiring straightforward remote access solutions to large enterprises with complex security and deployment needs. The suite has evolved over time, embracing emerging technologies and ensuring it meets the highest standards of security, performance, and user experience. Below are the key components of the ISL Online product suite:

1. ISL Light

ISL Light is the flagship remote desktop application of ISL Online. It allows businesses to provide remote support to customers, access unattended computers, or facilitate collaboration between teams across different locations.

Key Features:

  • Secure Remote Support: ISL Light enables IT professionals to provide real-time assistance to clients or access remote machines securely, with full control over the desktop.
  • End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): ISL Light guarantees data security with robust encryption protocols. All data transferred during remote sessions is encrypted using RSA 2048/4096-bit key exchange and AES 256-bit encryption.
  • Cross-Platform Access: It is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, making it suitable for diverse work environments.
  • Session Recording: Operators can record sessions for auditing and training purposes.

ISL Light has evolved from being a simple tool for remote access into a comprehensive solution for both customer support and internal IT management, adapting to the growing demand for high-performance and secure remote work tools.

2. ISL AlwaysOn

ISL AlwaysOn is designed for unattended access to computers or servers. This solution is especially useful for IT professionals who need to manage remote machines without requiring an active user on the other end. It allows businesses to establish secure, persistent connections with remote devices, regardless of whether someone is logged in locally.

Key Features:

  • Unattended Access: Access remote devices at any time, whether the user is present or not.
  • Full Control: Take full control of remote systems, enabling IT teams to troubleshoot, install software, or perform system maintenance.
  • Multi-Monitor Support: Connect to devices with multiple screens and manage them all simultaneously.

ISL AlwaysOn was developed as the need for remote IT administration grew, allowing businesses to ensure continuous uptime and proactive management of systems.

3. ISL Cloud

The ISL Cloud service allows businesses to host their remote desktop solutions entirely in the cloud, without the need for on-premise infrastructure. This solution is ideal for businesses seeking flexibility, scalability, and cost savings through a managed cloud environment. A free 15-day trial is available upon request.

Key Features:

  • Global Access: ISL Cloud services are hosted on ISL Online’s global infrastructure, ensuring high availability and fast, secure remote connections across the world.
  • Flexible Deployment: Businesses can choose from a public or private cloud environment to suit their security and data residency requirements.
  • Automatic Updates: Cloud-based software automatically receives updates, ensuring users have access to the latest features and security patches.

As cloud computing technologies matured, ISL Online shifted toward offering cloud-hosted solutions, recognizing the increasing demand for remote support platforms that could scale dynamically without requiring on-site infrastructure.

4. ISL Managed Private Cloud (MPC)

For large enterprises with stringent security requirements or compliance obligations, ISL Online offers the MPC solution. This hybrid solution combines the benefits of cloud computing with the control of on-premise hosting. ISL Online manages the entire setup and ensures the service is hosted exclusively for the client, either in a public data center (such as AWS or Azure) or in a private data center provided by the client.

Key Features:

  • Exclusive Cloud Service: Hosted and managed exclusively for your organization, ensuring that no other customers share your resources.
  • Custom Security Configurations: Organizations can specify their security and access control policies, ensuring full compliance with internal governance and industry standards.
  • Dedicated Support: ISL Online provides professional support to manage the cloud infrastructure, including proactive monitoring, updates, and troubleshooting.

MPC was developed in response to the growing demand for hybrid cloud environments and tailored services, particularly by large organizations in regulated industries that require more control over their data and infrastructure.

5. ISL Self-Hosted Solution

For businesses with specific privacy or compliance needs, ISL Online also offers the option to deploy its software on-premise (self-hosted). This means that all remote desktop sessions are routed through servers hosted within the company’s own data center, ensuring complete control over the data and session history.

Key Features:

  • Full Data Control: Organizations can host the entire solution within their own infrastructure, keeping all data on-premise.
  • Private Server Deployment: This option is ideal for companies with strict privacy and security policies who prefer to manage their own servers.

On-premise deployments have remained a core offering for organizations that need full control over their remote desktop infrastructure, particularly in highly regulated industries.

Evolution in Line with Network and Security Technologies

The evolution of ISL Online’s product suite closely mirrors the rapid advancements in network technologies and security standards over the past two decades. Early on, as broadband internet became more widely available, ISL Online focused on delivering solutions for basic remote desktop access. However, as network speeds and global connectivity improved, ISL Online began to expand its offerings to include more robust features such as unattended access, session recording, and multi-monitor support.

Simultaneously, advancements in encryption protocols and security standards played a crucial role in shaping ISL Online's approach. As cyber threats became more sophisticated, ISL Online responded by adopting state-of-the-art encryption methods, such as AES 256-bit and RSA 2048/4096-bit key exchange protocols, to ensure the highest level of security for remote sessions.

The shift towards cloud computing in the late 2000s prompted ISL Online to develop cloud-based solutions, allowing businesses to scale their operations without the need for on-premise infrastructure. With the rise of hybrid cloud environments and increased demand for private cloud solutions, ISL Online introduced its MPC offering, allowing businesses to enjoy the benefits of the cloud while retaining control over their infrastructure.

As the industry moves towards even more sophisticated technologies such as 5G and edge computing, ISL Online is well-positioned to continue adapting its product suite to meet the growing demands for faster, more secure, and more scalable remote desktop solutions.

Wrap-Up

ISL Online has firmly established itself as a leader in the remote desktop software space, offering a range of innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of businesses and IT professionals. Since its inception in 2001, the company has continually adapted its product suite to align with advancements in network technologies and security standards, ensuring that its users can rely on fast, secure, and reliable remote access tools.

From its flagship ISL Light application, which enables secure remote support and unattended access, to its Managed Private Cloud (MPC) solution, designed for large enterprises with strict security requirements, ISL Online offers versatile deployment options—whether in the cloud, on-premise, or in hybrid environments. The company’s ability to provide flexible, scalable, and secure solutions has made it the go-to choice for organizations ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

As remote work, cloud technologies, and digital collaboration continue to shape the future of business operations, ISL Online is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of the remote desktop industry. With a clear focus on innovation, security, and customer satisfaction, ISL Online’s suite of solutions offers businesses the tools they need to stay connected, secure, and productive.