Cisco concentrator & remote access facility

Please Help! We've been wanting to set up remote access with the ability to access and run applications remotely. We've been "sold" a cisco concentrator which seems way over the top and doesnt seem to allow us to do what we intended. A remote desktop connection via windows has been established which does actually allow us to work remotely as if we're at our desk , apart from some speed issues! This in turn seems to make the concentrator redundant and not doing what we thought would happen via a remote connection?
Any ideas on the best remote access facility which allows a good connection? and whether or not the concentrator has just been an expensive and pointless bit of kit?
Any feedback greatly appreciated.
Frustrated & broke!!