Desktop Central Blogs

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - June 16, 2009) - ManageEngine, makers of a globally renowned suite of cost effective network, systems, security and applications management software solutions, today announced an update to Desktop Central, the company's web-based Windows Desktop Management Software, with new features designed to control usage of USB devices on desktops across the enterprise.

With the enhanced Desktop Central application, administrators gain an even greater ability to manage desktop security and compliance. Now, from the same familiar Desktop Central management console, administrators may:

• Enable/Disable specific USB devices, such as portable hard drives, CD- ROM, Bluetooth, etc.
• Create and apply policies regarding USB access based on employee roles and departments.
• Generate comprehensive reports on policies and the users and computers that are governed by them.

The new features announced today join an extensive list of existing Desktop Central capabilities designed to maintain company policies and create ever-more-secure networks. For example, Desktop Central allows administrators to generate vulnerability assessments for better patch management; set user-specific desktop policies, disabling the Add/Remove Programs options in the Control Panel, for example; configure firewall settings to prevent unauthorized access; control and manage file and registry permissions; manage local user and group permissions; control Windows services; and detect and remove unauthorized software.

"Before Desktop Central, we had little to no knowledge of our enterprise's security and compliance picture," said Neil Schroeder, Director of Technology, Sioux City Community Schools. "Now we have strong reporting and management functions. We are now in a position to spend much less time running around in the dark trying to individually take care of machines. We have moved from being totally reactive to proactive."

"With the increasing use of portable USB devices, enterprises are constantly under threat of data theft and are focusing on security and compliance as it relates to these devices," said Mathivanan Venkatachalam, Director of Product Management at ManageEngine. "Desktop Central's Secure USB feature allows administrators to selectively limit the scope of USB device usage, either restricting, blocking or allowing full use, depending on the individual user. This will surely be a step toward protecting sensitive corporate data and also reducing the risk from viruses and spyware."

Availability and Pricing

The updated Desktop Central software is available now for download directly from the ManageEngine website at www.desktopcentral.com. ManageEngine offers a 30-day evaluation license of the Professional Edition, with pricing starting at $995 for 100 systems. A permanent Free Edition is also available for small businesses.

About ManageEngine

ManageEngine is the leader in low-cost enterprise IT management software. The ManageEngine suite offers enterprise IT management solutions including Network Management, HelpDesk & ITIL, Bandwidth Monitoring, Application Management, Desktop Management, Security Management, Password Management, Active Directory reporting, and a Managed Services platform. ManageEngine products are easy to install, setup and use and offer extensive support, consultation, and training. More than 30,000 organizations from different verticals, industries, and sizes use ManageEngine to take care of their IT management needs cost effectively. ManageEngine is a division of ZOHO Corporation. For more information, please visit www.manageengine.com.

Hi Folks,

Happy New Year to everyone!

wow! what a way to finish a year.  Thanks to all who encouraged and helped us to be here.

Yes, it was a year of challenges.  Desktop Central has grown a lot in all aspects, Number of Customers, Revenue, Product Features, Supported infrastructures, scalability, performance, usability etc., and also it is worth to mention that the evaluators/customers have started pouring requirements and suggestions directly.  This really is a sign of path to sustainable development.

Desktop Central as product has faced lot of challenges and marked different achievements, below given are the few important milestones in the year 2008 from the features point of view.

• Support for Microsoft Office patches.
• Enhancements on Power management.
  
• Support for VISTA Operating System.
• 64-Bit OS Support for Inventory, Patch Management, Software Deployment and Remote control.
• Introduced Re-Branding Option
• Windows 2008 operating system is supported.
• Action Log Viewer is enhanced to scale User Auditing.
• Desktop Central Agent runs on its own service. (No depends on GPO)
• Help Desk ticketing module introduced.
• Enhancement on Inventory (Software Grouping, Licensing modules)
• Mailing the AD Reports introduced
• DB Migration to remote computer is supported
• Support for managing computers in WAN/Remote Offices included
• Remote Management Tools enhanced.

Apart from the list of features mentioned, the DC core Engine and the agent has been fine tuned to scale to different heights.  Due to this we have started witnessing more enterprise customers with large number of computers.   We get more downloads happening and the support witnesses.  This is really a driving force.

On the other hand, the Free Windows Tools from Desktop Central is also creating sensation.  Now it has 10 tools integrated in its pallette.  It is a great complementary product for Desktop Central.  This tool also gets more feedback and suggestion from the network administrators. More plans ahead for this.

To recap, it was a splendid year packed with enthusiasm and challenges which kept us in a right rhythm, busy with new features, releases and customer support.

Hey 2008, we really loved you, adieu!. And we are ready to take the new 2009 excitement pack.

Once again, Thanks to all who encouraged and helped us to be here.

Cheers
Romanus.

In the windows domain, the normal domain user will not have much permissions in his computer. But in the real time few domain users will need administration rights in the local computer like to install software, configure TCP/IP settings to setup internet, etc. But they don’t need domain administration rights. One solution is, those users can be added in the local administrator group so that they can perform all admin operations.

Desktop Central provides a computer configuration called “Group Management”, using this IT Administrator can add a domain user to the local administrator group!

Also it provides the following features:

1. Ability to create a new local group
2. Ability to delete a existing local group
3. Ability to modify the existing local group members

Thanks
Mathi

[ <b>Mood:</b> Cool ]<br />[ <b>Currently:</b> Working ]<br />Most of the Enterprises use Microsoft Active Directory based windows network. Active Directory also provides lot of be benefits , few came in my mind are:

1. Achieve the desired organizational structure using Forest, Domains, Sub domains, Organizational Unit (OU)

2. Centralized management of users

3. Roaming User Profiles

4. Creating Standardized Configurations, Settings, and Options using Group Policy Object (GPO)

5. Enhancing Security

But the question is, does all enterprises use Active Directory ? What is the deployment ratio of Work group and other Directory Services in Enterprises ? Please share your views

Thanks

Mathi

You could have seen the Desktop Central Forums about the latest Templates support. Here is the link incase if you have missed it, which speaks about the release, purpose, how to use and other details.

The first phase of template has come out under various tags like Hard Disk Maintenance, Security, User Management, USB Security, Power Management, XP Firewal Management etc., As discussed in the forums, not only the available configurations also new registry based configurations will be introduced through Templates.

For the next update of Templates the planned new configurations would feature from boot and shutdown time Performance related details.

Please let me know your favourite or the most useful configuration that desktop admins would love to have as a Template.

Cheers. Happy Desktop Management.

~romanus~

Let me start this year with tips that make desktop administrator's life easier. Here are the 5 important factors which can make the desktop management problem free

These are the top five areas which can make the difference in desktop management in my perception. Some of the feature may not be in existence but still if it is made available that can really make desktop management hassle free. Let me know your stand?...

- romanus