from Tech&Learning
Keeping track of a school's technology is more than just good management, it can save big bucks.
Obviously, keeping on top of your IT assets is imperative. The newest products can help schools stay compliant with licenses, set realistic budgets, update software, and troubleshoot.
PRODUCTS
CROSSTEC EMS (ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)
CROSSTEC CORPORATION
WWW.CROSSTECSOFTWARE.COM
CrossTec EMS enables school administrators to identify what fixes are already installed, so they can determine what remains to be done. EMS allows administrators to automatically gather information about each user's desktop PC and store this information in a central location. EMS gives administrators access to hardware and software inventory, software licenses and expirations, detection of prohibited software in the network, software/ Internet usage statistics, and more. The IT Asset Management Software gives an up-to-date picture of a school's IT resources.
NETSUPPORT
WWW.NETSUPPORT-INC.COM
NetSupport remote PC support and desktop management lets educators monitor multiple systems in a single action. NetSupport Manager also includes dynamic hardware and software inventory, systems management tools, full audio support, and the ability to show an operator's screen in real-time to any number of connected systems as an integrated training tool. NetSupport Manager works over a network, via mobile communications, or the Internet securely without the need for firewall configuration.
VISUAL ASSET MANAGER
ASURE SOFTWARE
WWW.NETSIMPLICITY.COM
The Visual Asset Manager (VAM) lets administrators view assets and locations from a floor plan or other graphical representation—not just rows of data. It offers customizable categorization of assets to reflect your school's finance and accounting, facilities, and IT needs. Users can manage inventory and moves with the Handheld Barcode Scanning support— adding, editing, deleting, and moving assets while in the field without needing to be connected to VAM. Users can migrate data from legacy spreadsheets or other databases with the VAM Importer, as well as manage mobile/loaner assets with Quick Check-In/Out.
COMPUTRACE
ABSOLUTE SOFTWARE
WWW.ABSOLUTE.COM
Absolute Software provides firmware-based computer theft recovery, data protection, and IT asset management solutions. The software helps combat helps combat the security risks associated with computing assets, and the asset management challenges they pose by allowing IT administrators to centrally manage their computing assets and remotely delete data. Service features include the Absolute Theft Recovery Team, which works with local law enforcement agencies to locate and recover missing IT assets.
CASPER SUITE 6.0
JAMF SOFTWARE
WWW.JAMFSOFTWARE.COM
The Casper Suite provides one tool to inventory, back up, update, and maintain Mac computers. The asset management utility included in the Casper Suite is Recon, a client application that completes an accurate inventory of all network devices and computers, including Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, and Windows machines, in less than one minute. New asset management features of Casper Suite Version 6.0 include: Configuration Management implementation, which allows you to track changes made by administrators to your inventory and management systems; integration with Apple's GSX Service, which allows you to query the Apple warranty database and populate warranty expirations in the purchasing information fields; and Contract Management, which allows you to attach files such as purchase orders or vendor contracts to the inventory database resulting in more accurate purchasing information.
K2 - KEYAUDITOR & KEYSERVER
SASSAFRAS SOFTWARE INC
WWW.SASSAFRAS.COM
K2 - KeyAuditor & KeyServer is an integrated IT and Software Asset Management (SAM) solution. K2 gives IT managers visibility and control over hardware and software for Windows, Macintosh, virtual, Thin Client, and Linux computers. The software enabling organizations to audit, track, and control computers and software. A licensing enforcement option manages compliance for all common types of desktop software licenses. K2's built-in dedicated report server runs detailed deployment and usage reports for an entire global organization or for specific departments. Reports can be driven on-demand or scheduled for delivery through RSS feeds in any Web browser or in K2's management console.
ITAMDIRECT
SCHOOLDUDE
WWW.SCHOOLDUDE.COM
ITAMDirect is an on-demand technology asset management tool that gathers and reports information about computer assets on the school network, including hardware, installed software, and software utilization. It manages all computer assets across multiple platforms and tracks software usage and licenses. ITAMDirect also tracks costs needed for developing upgrade and replacement plans and provides detailed configuration information and asset history.
