It looks like a memory stick, but the small USB plug-in acts like an "open sesame" key that allows a person to access up to five computers remotely - such as their office desktop - from anywhere on Earth.

By plugging in the $500 MobiKEY the user can, for example, call up their office desktop computer and all its files, emails and software programmes no matter where they might be.

You could be at home or in a distant hotel room and plug the MobiKEY into your laptop and start working as though you were sitting in your office - everything your office computer contains (and has access to) would be right there on your laptop.

The technology has been in use since the start of 2006 and is now helping companies and individuals across North and Central America, and Europe, to enjoy a truly flexible way of accessing their computers remotely.

Bermuda is also at the forefront of using the new system. The Royal Gazette was one of the first on the Island to use the MobiKEY, which amongst other uses has allowed sports writers covering events overseas to design and layout pages from a laptop computer in their hotel room thousands of miles from the newspapers Par-La-Ville Road headquarters.

Another user is the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

The ease of use, the built-in security and low cost gives MobiKEY an edge over other remote access computer solutions, in the eyes of Bermuda Technologies Limited, which markets MobiKEY on the Island.

The company is seeking to expand the use of the device, particularly amongst the international and financial sector where employees and especially executives can often be away from their office computer on business trips.

"It is an ultra-portable remote computing device and it contains a smart card that is encrypted," said Keith Clifton, president and CEO of Bermuda Technologies.

The memory stick-like device contains an imbedded smart card that encrypts all data it holds, making it secure from "hacking." Each MobiKEY has its own password. Without both the key and its password there is no way to use it to access someone's computer.

Should a MobiKEY fall into the hands of a stranger, either because it is lost or stolen, it will automatically lock itself after four unsuccessful password attempts.

Mr. Clifton said: "Everything that happens on the connection between the MobiKEY and the host computer is done behind the host computer's firewall, eliminating the security risk from hackers."

The key itself does not transfer data and the only software involved is minimal and is installed on the host computer (a single MobiKEY can be configured to give access to up to five different computers remotely).

The device is manufactured by Canadian company Route 1. James Gribble, director of US sales for Route 1, said the average set-up time for a MobiKEY was 15 minutes.

The keys are in use by a number of organisations and companies, including the Government of Canada, the State of Florida, and Citizens Bank.

Mr. Gribble said one important feature of MobiKEY was its ability to allow remote, ecrypted printing, something that can be problematic for other remote access solutions. He added that the key leaves no "ghost image or footprint" on the computer it is plugged into and since it has been in use there has been no security breaches reported by users.

The key does not allow files to be downloaded or pasted - a further peace-of-mind security measure.

In Bermuda, Mr. Clifton reports that some companies that have been using other remote solutions have started to use MobiKEY in conjunction as an added facility that enhances their present system and is often even better.

For finance sector employees who use two screens side-by-side at work, the MobiKEY can handle this configuration on a single computer monitor by allow flicking from screen to screen.

Bermuda Technologies is hoping to expand the number of MobiKEY users on the Island having proven the system works during the past year.

The keys cost $499 with initial service and a further $259 for service/upgrades in subsequent years. Bermuda Technologies can be contacted at 296-7000. The website is www.bermudatechnologies.bm