Symantec, the global leader in information security, today announced the launch of Symantec Ghost Solution Suite, the latest edition of Symantec's imaging and migration solution.
Symantec Ghost Solution Suite combines
Symantec Ghost Corporate Edition, the imaging components of Symantec DeployCenter Library and Symantec Client Migration and provides the tools needed for Windows operating system deployment, software distribution, PC data and desktop settings migration, as well as PC retirement.
Through the inclusion of Symantec Ghost Corporate Edition and Symantec DeployCenter Library technologies in one suite, Symantec now offers both file- and sector-based imaging technologies. Coupled with Symantec Client Migration, a PC data and desktop settings migration tool, Symantec Ghost Solution Suite provides a comprehensive imaging and migration solution. The combination of these technologies enables IT administrators to effectively deploy and maintain PCs in a distributed environment, particularly in small and medium organisations.
"IT administrators are under increasing pressure to reduce costs, improve service levels and remove risks. They look to imaging and migration solutions that offer the ease-of-use, functionality and security they require while ensuring continuous information availability," said Patrick Evans, regional director at Symantec Africa.
Symantec Ghost Solution Suite offers a full range of capabilities and features:
* Efficient and automated deployment of new systems - Symantec Ghost Solution Suite allows IT administrators to create an image of a PC or Windows server, utilising either file- or sector-based imaging technology, and simultaneously deploy that image to PCs across the network in a matter of minutes. The suite also enables IT administrators to manage hardware and software inventory from a centralised console and create detailed reports from customisable views. This functionality gives IT administrators the ability to create targeted tasks, such as imaging or patch deployment tasks, based on specific hardware and software attributes. Individual files can be distributed to multiple PCs simultaneously with the suite's multicast file transfer capabilities, minimising bandwidth usage and streamlining the management process. Additionally, imaging and deployment can be performed within Microsoft's Windows Pre-Installation Environment (WinPE). This process accelerates and automates Windows deployments while reducing the cost, complexity and time required for deploying Windows XP.
* Secure and effective PC data and desktop settings migration - Symantec Ghost Solution Suite includes Symantec Client Migration, which allows IT administrators to securely migrate PC data and desktop settings from a centralised location. By automating many of the repetitive tasks associated with PC migration, the application accelerates the process and reduces administrative overhead and user downtime. Symantec Client Migration provides two options for the IT administrator: user-driven migration, which allows end-users to initiate their own migrations using an intuitive Web-based interface based on migration policies set by the IT administrator; or a migration process in which the IT administrator controls all aspects of PC migration. Security features include support for Windows domain authentication, the ability to transfer files securely using encrypted data transmissions and four levels of user access rights. Symantec Client Migration integrates with the Symantec Ghost Client Staging Area, which provides a local storage area on the user's machine to minimise network storage and bandwidth requirements. The Client Staging Area preserves any files contained in it during a subsequent image deployment.
* Fast and reliable system refreshes - Symantec Ghost Solution Suite provides a fast and reliable method of deploying system, application and software updates across an organisation. Utilising the software and hardware inventory feature, IT administrators can quickly identify missing updates on each PC connected to the network. The AutoInstall (AI) feature allows IT administrators to create and customise application packages that can be deployed from within the Symantec Ghost Console. In addition, the solution allows the deployment of Symantec DeployCenter images through the Symantec Ghost Console.
* Secure PC retirement and data disposal - Symantec Ghost Solution Suite includes Gdisk, a software tool that meets US Department of Defence standards in secure data disposal. Gdisk reduces the risk and liability associated with PC retirement and data disposal by ensuring that confidential data cannot be recovered from recycled, retired or leased PCs.
Availability
Symantec Ghost Solution Suite is scheduled to be available in late November through Symantec's worldwide network of distributors and resellers. An upgrade path to Symantec Ghost Solution Suite will be available to existing customers of Symantec Ghost Corporate Edition or Symantec DeployCenter Library. For additional product information, call (800) 745-6054 or visit http://sea.symantec.com. To obtain licensing information or to locate a reseller, visit http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.com/license on the World Wide Web.
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Symantec is the global leader in information security providing a broad range of software, appliances and services designed to help individuals, small and mid-sized businesses, and large enterprises secure and manage their IT infrastructure. Symantec's Norton brand of products is the worldwide leader in consumer security and problem-solving solutions.
Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Symantec has operations in more than 35 countries. More information is available at http://www.symantec.com.
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