Desktop Authority versions

v8.1 [Jan 26, 2011]
Desktop Authority 8 represents the most significant release of new features in three years. With version 8, Desktop Authority gains the ability to manage computers that do not have a user logged-on, including patch management, software distribution, and other configuration changes. This capability delivers three big advantages:
- Computer management operations can be scheduled, and not just executed during logon/logoff or similar events, as with previous versions
- Windows Servers can now be managed, where a user rarely logs on but the administrator still wants to patch them and gather inventory information
- The innovative new Wake-on-LAN feature permits overnight management in conjunction with scheduled events.
Desktop Authority 8 also introduces an optional web-based remote support console, new licensing options, and group policy-based agent deployment.
Desktop Authority’s new next-generation management agent operates at the computer level, rather than the user level. This means it is now possible to install software, patch computers, install service packs, collect inventory or launch programs all without a user logging in to the computer. This capability also adds new timing events for computer management actions including Startup and Shutdown, in addition to the previous Logon, Logoff, Refresh and Desktop events.
Desktop Authority 8 adds Wake On LAN beacons, an innovative approach to overcoming the router configuration problems that plague other Wake On LAN systems. You simply specify which computers you want to wake by computer name, IP address, or MAC address (including wildcards). Then use Validation Logic to specify the computers you want to act as WOL Beacons. You can define beacons on each subnet, or whatever configuration meets your network needs.
In addition to the new Startup and Shutdown elements, computer-based management elements can be scheduled in a very granular way to execute when you need them, not just when the user logs on or logs off. This scheduling supports one-time schedules, daily, weekly, and monthly events, and frequency limits, so they can be set to run only once in a set period, regardless of how many times a user reboots, etc.
If you’re taking an action that might interrupt the end-user, you now have highly flexible notification options. Inform the user of the action, including your custom text, permit them to defer the action, defer reboots, and even specify default time outs and behavior if the user isn’t at the computer when the action takes place.
The ability to manage computers where there are no users logged in means Desktop Authority 8 can now move beyond the desktop to also manage servers. Hardware and software inventory, patch management, application updates and other operations can all be run automatically on servers and desktops, using the granularity of our patented Validation Logic, to apply changes to only the computers you choose.
Desktop Authority’s Spyware Detection and Removal option now features an improved anti-malware engine that can detect more threats using smaller signature files. This means less bandwidth is consumed and less time taken when updating malware signatures.
Desktop Authority 8 now leverages group policy for agent deployment. This means that admins can push the agent out to unattended computers, laptops where users use cached credentials, and other cases where users have not logged on to a computer. This not only ensures full coverage for all Windows desktops and servers, but it also ensures any prerequisites are deployed to each managed computer. The new Deployment Readiness Wizard walks administrators through every step of the process.
Desktop Authority has been teamed up with our new Remote Support Center to provide an optional web-based console as an alternative to the Remote Management console in the manager. This console allows senior administrators to delegate access to help desk technicians for remote support, while not giving them access to the full DA management console. The web console also provides filtering and searching for machines, and options for supporting users over the internet, as well as supporting users that do not have the “ExpertAssist” remote support agent already installed.