Manage Anywhere Studio 5 (MAS 5) features significant new features designed to make it both more flexible and more powerful in deployment, adding improved PDA support features, a tool for remotely migrating PCs and laptops to Windows XP and a newly modular construction.
Major PDA upgrade attributes center around devices using Microsoft Pocket PC. These include more detailed inventory collection, remote password configuration and remote software installation.
They also include Zap It, a security feature that makes use of the cold-reset API in Pocket PC to wipe the contents of a device after a specified period of time, helping prevent the transfer of important data into the wrong hands.
Also novel is the introduction of Migration Manager, designed especially with remote upgrading of desktop and notebook PCs to Windows XP and avoiding the need for costly manual upgrades and, according to iAnywhere director of business development, Rob Veitch, unnecessary machine replacement.
In the past a lot of migration has been done by buying new machines, said Veitch, but now enterprises have pretty powerful machines already rolled out. They’re looking to migrate operating systems in place.
Topping off the list of improvements, and arguably the most important in terms of deployment, is that MAS 5 is now modular in construction. The product is now available in four independent but fully compatible pieces. In addition to Migration Manager, Discovery Manager handles asset tracking, Support manager provides a web-based help desk and Systems Manager adds centralized software deployment for remote devices to Discovery Manger and Support Manager.
Looking forward, iAnywhere is determined to extend the full functionality of MAS to handheld devices, at least where they are Microsoft-powered. Veitch said MAS 5 now offers far greater similarities in the way it handles Microsoft-based PDAs and laptops. 80% of what we offer on Windows is now available on Pocket PC. the aim is to bring that up to 100% over the next year, said Veitch.
Once again, however, iAnywhere has declined to support Symbian OS-based smart phones in MAS 5, preferring to wait until such devices are more commonplace. The company also expects to support Palm OS 5 in time. Earlier Palm OS devices do not require the same level of remote management, according to Veitch, as their more limited functionality means they tend to be used as appliances.
Existing users will have automatic access to the upgrades, while new users may be attracted by iAnywhere’s shift towards per-client licensing based on which modules are selected. Veitch said Discovery Manager will be available starting at $15 per machine, with support manager costing $35 and Systems Manager reaching $100 per machine. There is also a nominal charge of $125 per server.
MAS 5 goes on commercial release at the end of February.
Source: Computerwire
