Did you know that 65 per cent of all crashes of notebook are software related? Or that two out of three times, it is that minor glitch in the software that makes your PC hang? T. Raghunandan, CEO of the Bangalore based Spectra Insignia, does, which is why he thinks there’s more to be made fixing such bugs online. Get the lowdown here. 

Guhesh Ramanathan, CEO of help.com feels that 65 per cent of the notebook crashes are software related. So 2 out of 3 times, it is that minor glitch in the software, which plays the role of a spoiler. To give a red signal to the quandary, the company has launched an anytime-anywhere-technician concept called Remote diagnostic and fix.

Inaccessibility to mail, browser failure, printer drivers missing or system hanging are some of the problems related to software. Guhesh clarifies that all the customer has to do is to connect to the Internet through a standard ISP connection. All customers are pre-loaded with a remote fix software (or they can also download that from the company’s website), which enables a remote technician to take over the PC (be it a desktop or a notebook), which then uses tools to diagnose and fix the problem. "This facility is invaluable for those who travel. The major advantage is in the responding time. Usually it is in days but with remote fix, the PC can be up and running in a matter of minutes. With a notebook installed base of more than 2.5 lakh with nearly 60 per cent being used by top corporate executives, this service would come as a boon to the users."

Guhesh adds that even virus attacks can be cleaned up using remote patches. The company plans to offer two different service models. "We would like to offer something on the lines of cable service, wherein the customer is charged Rs 125 to 150 on a monthly basis. The other alternative is per incident basis for which we plan to charge Rs 500 approximately."

What happens if the glitch is hardware related? "Well In that case online fixing is not possible. We have an extensive network of service centres to service help.com customers. Either the customer can carry his system to a centre or can ask a technician to visit his premises" answers Ramanathan. But since nearly two-thirds of the time, the problem is a software glitch; it is easier to get it fixed remotely without any hassles. The man from help.com ensures that this is a first of its kind concept in the country. "There are a couple of players abroad who offer this kind of services abroad, but because of bandwidth constraints in the country we have developed our own customised remote fix software which works at even 26 Kbps speeds." So next time when you want to make that crucial presentation and your laptop refuses to co-operate, all you have to do is to log on to help.com