LANDesk Software has released LANDesk Management Suite 8, the latest version of the integrated management tool for network administrators that lets them manage desktops, servers and handheld devices in IT environments. While the management software still requires Windows to work, version 8 increases Mac OS X support by providing software license monitoring and application policy management, as well as bringing the LANDesk Targeted Multicast technology to Mac OS X 10.2 and higher.
The Targeted Multicast technology uses a temporary subnet representative to enable multicast distribution of large operating systems or application packages to several targets at once, without dedicated hardware or router reconfigurations.
The update also unifies several IT management capabilities in a single console and adds such new features as expanded inventory management, improved software distribution, enhanced console usability, increased database efficiency and scalability, and new levels of business intelligence, according to LANDesk Software.
LANDesk Management Suite 8 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of US$89. You can buy it from LANDesk Expert Solution Providers (ESP); a list of ESPs is online.