The Remote Access Redefined Podcast Is Back: The Hidden Costs of Free and Open Source Software

The RealVNC Remote Access Redefined Podcast is back for a second season. And we’re kicking it off with a great first episode, that takes a look at the hidden costs of free and open source remote access software.

Remote Access Redefined – Season 2

Our first season was focused on OEM and SDK integration. In this second season, we’re broadening the scope to help you understand secure remote access, and choose the right remote access tool. Host Nick Cavalancia will do so with the help of RealVNC experts, alongside customers and industry leaders. They will share practical tools, best practices, and inspiring use cases from across industries.

In the first episode of Season 2, Nick is joined by Dom Parkes, Lead Developer for OEM at RealVNC, and Richard Petitt, RealVNC Head of Sales. They look into the hidden costs of free and open-source remote access solutions, and explain why a business-grade solution like RealVNC Connect is often the smarter choice.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode.

1. Understand the Hidden Costs of Free and Open Source Solutions

Free and open-source remote access tools may be appealing for their convenience and lack of an upfront price tag. However, they come with significant hidden costs. Richard Petitt explains that the initial ease of a quick download often leads to long-term challenges. The episode breaks down the true cost of ownership, which includes:

Time and Resource Expenses: IT teams must manage, secure, and troubleshoot these tools on their own. This DIY approach consumes valuable time that they could use elsewhere. When a problem arises, there’s no dedicated support to call. Businesses are left to fend for themselves.
Security and Compliance Issues: Many free tools lack crucial security and auditing enterprise features. Dom Parkes explains how this creates vulnerabilities, and makes it nearly impossible to prove compliance with regulations.

2. Discover What Makes a Remote Access Solution Business-Grade

This episode discusses what a true business-grade solution offers. Nick, Dom, and Richard discuss the key features that differentiate a business-grade tool like RealVNC Connect from its open-source counterparts. You’ll learn why certain features are crucial for security and scalability. These include security by design, centralized management and auditing, as well as predictability when it comes to a future roadmap of new features.

3. Expert Advice on Making the Transition

Moving from a free tool to a business-grade solution requires buy-in from stakeholders and a clear implementation plan. The episode offers practical advice from both sales and technical perspectives.

Learn More in the Full Episode

This first episode is a must-listen for any IT professional or business leader evaluating secure remote access solutions. You’ll clearly understand the true value proposition of business-grade tools, and learn how to justify the investment to stakeholders.

Ready to check out the full episode? You can watch the video version below.

You can also find the new episode (as well as all the episodes in the first season), on our dedicated webpage, as well as on your favourite podcast platform.

Bogdan Bele

A journalist by formation and experience, and a content writer by trade. I’ve been writing content, both online and offline, for more than 15 years. My focus has always been technology, but I’ve also ventured into fields as diverse as music, football or news. I am RealVNC’s in-house Digital Content Editor, so a lot of what you’re reading on this blog is written by me. I also edit a lot of our content output. When I’m not writing, editing or reading, you’ll probably find me at a concert or watching a Chelsea FC game.