Laplink is readying an enterprise version of its PCmover tool for migrating users to Windows Vista. The company is also preparing a remote access tool that will enable users to access information on their computer from mobile devices as well as other PCs.

PCmover 2009 Enterprise Edition, due for release in early 2009, will give IT departments greater control over the migration process, according to the firm.

Like the existing version, it can migrate the entire user environment, including applications, from earlier versions of Windows (Windows 95 onwards) to a new PC running Vista.

"We are the only vendor doing application migration. Everyone else, including Microsoft, only supports migration of data and settings," said Laplink chief executive Thomas Koll.

The Enterprise Edition adds a Policy Manager that lets administrators pre-configure the migration process before handing it over to a user, who just runs the application. "If you do not want the user to move any MP3 files across, you can stop that," said Koll.

Laplink claimed that using PCmover can save up to six hours of an IT professional's time or up to $300 (£207) per migration.

The new version is also compatible with 64bit versions of Windows, and can migrate over a USB link, portable storage or a network connection.

Koll said that the product is likely to be upgraded later in 2009 with the ability for administrators to control the migration remotely, adding that PCmover has been successfully tested with the pre-release version of Windows 7.

"We do not see any problems with Windows 7 support, unless Microsoft makes some radical changes between now and release," Koll said.

Another product scheduled for release early next year is Laplink Everywhere 5 (LLE5), an updated version of the firm's remote access tool.

While this has similar remote screen capabilities as rival tools like GoToMyPC and LogMeIn, Laplink said that it is focusing more on remote access to information on the computer.

"You do not always want to see the whole desktop; you want remote access to information on it rather than remote control," said Koll.

The new version offers one-click access to any of a user's computers from any other computer with LLE installed, enabling them to search using Google or Windows desktop search tools and access emails or browser favourites on the remote system.

One feature, Remote Access View, lets users configure the default 'view' they see of their computer when accessed remotely. This might show their email inbox alongside key folders on the hard drive, such as My Documents, for example.

LLE will also feature a Windows Mobile client, giving users access to their PC email and files from a smartphone. "We can remote search your PC from a mobile device and download the answer back to your device," said Koll.

Like other remote access tools, LLE5 will be sold as a service and is expected to cost about $50 (£35) per user per year.