Update 17 has some key security fixes detailed in their release notes.

Did you know that you can get the java updates installed to all the computers in the network silently using Desktop Central?

Let us now see how to get this done.

1. Create a network share in any of the computer in your network.
   
2. Provide READ & EXECUTE permissions for this share to "Everyone" group.
   
3. Download the latest security update (update 17) fromSun Website and save it in the network share.
4. Add a Software Package in Desktop Central for this update as below:
   
1. From the Desktop Central Client Console, select Software Deployment --> Add Package button.
2. In the Add Software Package screen, select Package Type as "MSIEXEC/EXE/ISS/Command"
3. Specify a name, say, JRE 1.6 Update 17
4. Select the Path Type as Network Path
5. Specify "Installation Command with Switches/Arguments" as: "<Share Path>\jre-6u17-windows-i586-p.exe /s ADDLOCAL=ALL IEXPLORER=1"

where <Share Path> has to be replaced with the network share that you have created. The above command will install all the components and also register the plug-in with Internet Explorer.
   
   More detailed installation options are available here.


6. Click Add Package
   
   It is recommended to test the installation by executing the command you specify here manually in one computer and check whether the installation happens without any problem.
   
   
5. Now that the package has been added, you can deploy them to multiple computers by selecting the package and clicking "Install/Uninstall Software" button.
6. Specify the Deployment settings and select the target computers as required.
7. Click Deploy.

ManageEngine Desktop Central, the Windows Desktop Management Software, has increased the number of computers that can be managed using its Free version to 25 from 10. This means that the small businesses having up to 25 computers can use Desktop Central for free to manage their computers even if they are spread across WAN.

The Free Edition of Desktop Central provides all the features of the Enterprise Edition like Software Deployment, Patch Management, Asset Management, Remote Control, Windows Configuration (Desktop Standardization), Windows System Tools, and User Logon Reports.

Why wait, go ahead and download the Free Edition right away.

Cheers,

AUSTIN, TX––(Marketwire – October 27, 2009) – ManageEngine, makers of a globally renowned suite of cost effective network, systems, security and applications management software solutions, today announced the release of Desktop Central version 7, web–based desktop management software with new capabilities designed to curtail bandwidth usage associated with managing desktops across a wide area network (WAN).

ManageEngine Desktop Central V7 features new Distribution Server software. This piece of the ManageEngine solution is installed at the branch–office level where it maintains copies of the most recent patch and software distribution binaries, as well as a desktop configuration repository. The Distribution Server is automatically synchronized with the application’s central server at user–defined intervals. With all vital executables now residing on a local server, IT administrators can automate the distribution of service packs, applications, and more, across their environment, without ever using the WAN link.

Desktop management in a geographically disparate environment is now possible without worrying about slowing enterprise WAN performance. Valuable network bandwidth can remain available to support mission–critical business operations.

"The Desktop Central Enterprise Edition allows deployment of remote caching servers for all interactions with our local client PCs and servers," said Jon Sanderson, Group Technical Director, Cynetix Group Ltd. "This reduces the bandwidth requirements to a very low level and allows reliable operations over very skinny and potentially unreliable connections. The web interface is a Godsend as our engineers are now deploying configurations on distributed desktops and creating reports in minutes that used to take hours. The return on investment period also looks quite impressive, too."

"Bandwidth utilization is a major concern for enterprises managing desktops at multiple locations," said Mathivanan Venkatachalam, director of product management at ManageEngine. "Each new desktop that is introduced at a branch office will add bandwidth overhead and costs. With the new Distribution Server, Desktop Central becomes the ideal fit for large enterprises, and because the software is so affordable and easy–to–use, SMB⁄SMEs with multiple work locations can also benefit."

ManageEngine Desktop Central is a comprehensive desktop management suite offering complete PC lifecycle management, including software deployment, patch management, service pack installation, asset management, remote control, system tools, user logon reporting, Active Directory reporting and configuration management. It is a network–neutral solution that can be used to manage desktops in Microsoft Active Directory and Microsoft Workgroups, as well as other directory services-based networks, such as Novell eDirectory.

Availability & Pricing

Desktop Central Version 7 is available now for download directly from the ManageEngine website at http://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/index.html. Pricing starts at $1,295 for 100 systems. The company offers a 30–day fully–functional enterprise evaluation license. A permanent Free Edition is also available for small businesses who need to manage up to 25 computers.

Greetings from ManageEngine Desktop Central!

We are happy to announce the availability of latest hotfix to Desktop Central 7. Here's the complete list of enhancements & bug fixes from the previous hotfix:

Enhancements & Bug Fixes

Enhancements

1. Support for deploying patches for non-Microsoft applications has been included.
2. Remote Office agent communication (Distribution Server / Direct Communication) can now be modified from the SoM page.
3. Support for scheduled backup of the database used by Desktop Central has been added.
4. Option to create and save Custom Query Reports has been included.
5. Email Alert Notification of Prohibited Software/New Hardware Detected/New Software Detected will now include Computer Name column.

Bug Fixes

1. Issue in applying the configured Reboot Policy during Patch installation has been fixed.
2. Issue in scheduling Vulnerability Update has been fixed.
3. Issue in getting user confirmation before establishing a remote connection of computers that supports multiple simultaneous user logins has been fixed. This is applicable for systems running Windows Vista/2008 Server, and Windows 7 OS.

You can download the upgrade pack and install as per the instructions provided there.

To download complete product, which includes these enhancements, visit our website.

Non-Microsoft Patch Management Included

Administrators will now be able to automate the patch deployment process of non-Microsoft applications using Desktop Central. The latest hotfix supports managing patches of Adobe Reader and Mozilla Firefox. Support for other applications will be included in the subsequent updates.

If you require any specific application to be supported, submit your request here. This will help us to prioritize and include them in our subsequent updates.

Backup and Disaster Recovery Added

Take advantage of scheduled backup of the database and set aside your worries of losing the data in case of DB corruption or hard disk failure. You will now be able to configure Desktop Central to periodically backup the database. You can also specify the maximum number of backup copies to be retained. In case of any failures, you can restore the data from the backup files with all data until last backup intact.

What's Cooking?

The features in our roadmap that are currently under development include:

• Enhanced User Access Control: Admin users of Desktop Central will be able to delegate more fine-grained access to Technicians to access specific features/modules of the product.     Details>>
• Approval Mechanism for Automatic Uninstallation of Prohibited Software Details>>
• Automating Software Deployment Details>>

Add Requirements to Product Roadmap

You can add your new feature requirements on Desktop Management to our roadmap. We will prioritize and include them in our subsequent updates. Visit our Roadmap and add your requirements.

ManageEngine’s Desktop Management Suite to Provide Full PC Lifecycle Management

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - August 5, 2009) – ManageEngine, makers of a globally renowned suite of cost effective network, systems, security and applications management software solutions, today announced the release of OS Deployer, a remote operating system deployment application allowing administrators to easily establish a standard operating system (OS) configuration on desktops across the enterprise.

ManageEngine OS Deployer creates an exact disk image of a given system -- including operating system, configuration files and all applications -- and deploys that image to multiple systems simultaneously, making it ideal for rapid bare-metal provisioning. Standardizing desktops can increase security while reducing support and management costs.

The new software plays an important role in end-user support activities. A significant number of help desk tickets are related to corrupted operating systems and associated errors that demand an OS re-deployment. ManageEngine OS Deployer makes this easy, allowing administrators to simply push a new desktop configuration to the end-user.

Key features and benefits provided by OS Deployer include:

• Centralized disk image capturing
• Deployment Templates for various roles/departments that enables easy deployment
• Flexible OS deployment options, including Manual Deployment, Scheduled Deployment, Event-Driven Deployment, and more.
• Post-Deployment Customization of the OS, applications, configuration information; such as computer name, domain participation, and more.
• Ability to automatically provision dissimilar hardware using a single image.

With ManageEngine Desktop Central and OS Deployer, administrators can effectively handle all aspects of PC Lifecycle Management, from provisioning to retirement. Organizations can now more easily automate and standardize desktop management while ensuring compliance with security and audit standards.

"OS Deployer is the perfect fit for enterprises that are looking for a comprehensive and affordable desktop provisioning application," said Mathivanan Venkatachalam, director of product management at ManageEngine. "With centralized OS imaging and deployment capabilities, the software saves administrators' valuable time. When combined with ManageEngine Desktop Central, the product offers a complete PC LifeCycle Management Solution at a fraction of the cost of competing solutions, such as Microsoft System Center, LANDesk and Altiris desktop management software."

Availability and Pricing

ManageEngine OS Deployer is available now for download directly from the ManageEngine website at www.manageengine.com/osdeployer. A trial evaluation license is available. For administrators wishing to implement full PC Lifecycle Management, the software can be used in conjunction with the existing ManageEngine Desktop Central application. The Desktop Central and OS Deployer combination is priced at approximately $30 per system, in a network comprising 500 computers on average.

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 take advantage of the ManageEngine 90-10 promise, i.e. 90 percent of the features of the Big 4 at 10 percent of the price. ManageEngine is a division of ZOHO Corporation. For more information, please visit www.manageengine.com. 

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.

This respected annual award honors products and services that represent the rapidly changing needs and interests of the end-users of technology worldwide. As part of the tech-industry’s leading global awards program, this year’s Best Products and Services were nominated from all over the world.

ManageEngine Desktop Central won Best in Systems Administration.  The application is capable of working across multiple network domains and wide area networks, providing software deployment, patch management, configuration management, asset management, service pack installation, remote control, system tools, user log-in and Active Directory reporting.

Cheers,
Ananth
www.manageengine.com/DesktopCentral
www.twitter.com/DesktopCentral