The Genesis of TeamViewer
The inception of TeamViewer was driven by the goal of making remote access and control of devices simple and efficient. The German company, TeamViewer AG, launched the first version of TeamViewer in 2005. The initial software was rooted in the Virtual Network Computing (VNC) project, developed by Rossmanith GmbH, an IT service provider. Rossmanith's vision was to avoid unnecessary trips to clients and perform tasks such as software installation remotely. This innovative idea proved to be a game-changer, giving birth to TeamViewer GmbH which is now a part of TeamViewer AG.
TeamViewer's Platform: A Universal Solution
TeamViewer offers a comprehensive solution for remote access and control of devices. It is available for most desktop computers with common operating systems, including Microsoft Windows and Apple's macOS. In addition, there are packages for several Linux distributions and derivatives such as Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat, and Fedora Linux.
Moreover, the software extends its reach to smartphones and tablets running Android or Apple's iOS/iPadOS. However, support for Windows Phone and Windows Mobile has been phased out after Microsoft discontinued support for these two operating systems.
TeamViewer: The Core Functionality
At its core, TeamViewer offers remote access to computers and other endpoints, enabling control and maintenance of these devices. Once a connection is established, the remote screen becomes visible to the user at the other endpoint. Both endpoints can send and receive files and access a shared clipboard. TeamViewer also facilitates team collaboration by providing functions such as audio and video transmissions via IP telephony.
In recent years, the software has been optimised for use in large companies. To cater to this need, the enterprise variant, TeamViewer Tensor, was developed. TeamViewer Pilot, another variant of the software, provides remote support with augmented reality elements.
Growing Organically
Teamviewer scaled organically with a product led growth approach. What was essentially happening is that one person would introduce teamviewer to their company. Everyone in that company would then receive remote support by teamviewer, and would see the TeamViewer logos. Therefore, when they would eventually move to another company and potentially need to develop a remote support system. Team viewer was front of mind.
Collaborations and Integrations
TeamViewer has been proactive in establishing collaborations with strategic partners such as Microsoft, SAP, Google, and Siemens. These partnerships have enabled TeamViewer to offer interfaces to other applications and services, thereby enhancing its functionality.
For instance, the integration with Microsoft Teams has led to a more seamless remote working experience. Similarly, the integration with ServiceNow has added new features to TeamViewer's robust functionality.
Licensing Policy
TeamViewer offers a limited subset of its software features free of charge for private users. However, commercial users are required to sign up for a subscription. The pricing for the software is scaled according to the number of users as well as the number of concurrent sessions.
In 2023, some changes were made to the licensing policy, introducing a 3 managed-devices limit for free users. Certain features like VPN, file sync, Wake-on-LAN, audio, video, and chat were disabled for these users.
Security Measures
TeamViewer has implemented robust security measures to ensure the safety of its users. Connections can be established via the internet or local networks. The software uses automatically generated unique IDs and passwords for establishing a connection. The TeamViewer network servers check the validity of these IDs for both endpoints before each connection.
Furthermore, TeamViewer includes end-to-end encryption based on RSA (4096 bits) and AES (256 bits). This, according to the company, makes man-in-the-middle attacks impossible.
Tackling Misuse
Despite its robust security measures, TeamViewer and similar programs can be misused for technical support scams. To tackle this, TeamViewer condemns all forms of misuse of its software and provides guidelines for safe use. The company also provides a platform for users to report corresponding incidents.
The Impact of TeamViewer
Since its inception, TeamViewer's software has been installed on more than 2.5 billion devices worldwide. The company currently has around 625,000 subscribers and continues to impact businesses of all sizes across various industries.
In conclusion, TeamViewer has emerged as a frontrunner in the field of remote access and control of devices. By continuously innovating in the fields of Augmented Reality, Internet of Things, and Artificial Intelligence, TeamViewer is not only meeting the demands of the current digital age but also shaping the future of digital transformation.