Independent IT solutions provider, First Technology, has launched a new system management solution suite which significantly reduces the cost of owning and managing information resources.
Altiris Client Management Suite, which includes new versions of Altiris` most popular desktop management products, was a finalist in the coveted network product of the year awards held during Networks Telecom Europe 2002 - the UK`s largest IT networking and telecom exhibition.
According to Andr'e Mulder, professional services consultant at First Technology which represents Altiris in SA, the new suite is the first to take advantage of the expanded Altiris eXpress platform that allows IT personnel to manage all devices, including handhelds, from a single Web-based console.
"This minimises or eliminates visits to individual clients to deploy, manage or diagnose client problems, simplifying the management of remote offices and mobile users. IT managers can deploy clients, distribute software, create detailed inventory reports regarding hardware, software and application usage without visiting each desk. Many of these functions can even be done from a Web browser on a handheld device."
The suite works on all Windows platforms and is optimised for managing or migrating to any Windows platform.
The Altiris Client Management Suite combines products designed to uniquely address specific aspects of the technology lifecycle. These include: Deployment Solution for deploying and migrating clients; Inventory Solution for hardware and software tracking and reporting; Application Metering for monitoring and tracking software usage; SW Delivery Solution for policy-based software distribution; and Carbon Copy Solution for enterprise-wide, bandwidth-sensitive remote control.
Specific new product enhancements in the Altiris Client Management Suite are:
* Packages (images, rapid install packages, other software packages) that can be proactively pushed over thin bandwidth connections to remote regional offices and scheduled for deployment. This results in greater consistency between offices and eliminates the need for experienced IT personnel in each office.
* Web console views and role-based security that allows administrators to control what product features the IT staff can view and use. This provides additional security preventing untrained or unauthorised personnel from accessing management features that they are not authorised or trained to use.
* PDAs appear as clients on the Altiris eXpress console making these devices as easy to manage as desktops or laptops, all from a single console.
* The new Deployment Solution now has a Web interface that plugs into the Altiris eXpress Web console providing management of all devices throughout their lifecycle from a single console. "The improved functionality incorporated into the Altiris Client Management Suite places greater control and easier management into the hands of IT staff.
"In addition, Client Management Suite can reduce or even eliminate problems associated with IT migration and deployment by speeding the process and releasing IT personnel to handle more strategic issues. There is no doubt that personality migration tools increase the productivity of IT departments and have a direct impact on the bottom line of any company," Mulder concludes.
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First Technology is one of SA`s largest, independent IT solutions providers, offering customers solutions and services that maximise business productivity, reduce the risk associated with deploying new technologies and minimise the total cost of IT ownership. The company has fully-fledged branches in every major business node across SA and maintains one of the largest teams of highly skilled technical personnel in the country.
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