Manage Windows and Software updates on Workgroup pc's

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mckenndk

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#57960 2-Mar-2010 16:27

Hi All

I have a network of around 30 workgroup pc's and I am looking for a way of managing them from a central location instead of having to go out to them to install windows updates and new version's of software, a remote control solution would be good as well.
We have WSUS but the updates don't always get installed.

All the PC's run Windows XP of some Variety (another reason I want to manage them centerally to keep them all up to the same level of updates and are on a local network.

Thing's I would like out of a solution (don't mind paying for it)
Update Management
be able to push out new software to the pc's
remote control
Find out the hardware spec's of the pc's

Any Ideas?

Dion

conork

31 posts

Geek

#303720 2-Mar-2010 16:42

Kaseya has patch management, you can do remotecontrol via VNC or RDP, you can also install software via scripts but think it may have some sort of application packaging in there somewhere, It also really good auditing will tell you serial numbers, mobo type, amount of RAM, hdd size etc, etc . Not sure how much it costs im guessing its quite expensive, as is used for managed services providers and the likes.
Also aparently a free alternative is Spiceworks, believe it has patch management and remote control options aswell, not sure about deployment of software.

hope thats of some help

Ragnor

8223 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#303851 3-Mar-2010 01:28

Sounds like you should look into Small Business Server and setting up Active Directory/Domain so you can use global policy to manage the users and machines.

kontonnz

137 posts

Master Geek

#303862 3-Mar-2010 08:28

if you don't mind spending a little bit of money then I would seriously suggest hfnetchk pro by shavlik; this is a very good product, and if I recall Microsoft licensed the technology in their MBSA tool (the early versioned ones at least). Another good thing about hfnetchk is that it can update non microsoft applications as well such as itunes etc. (they also have a decent trial, so you can check it out first)

http://www.shavlik.com/sol-patch-management.aspx

as for AD this can be usefull, but it depends on your envrionment and business requirements; but if you have 30 odd workstations and your not using MS Small business server you are missing out, its a great product.... but again it depends on your business.