Apple on Tuesday introduced Apple Remote Desktop 3, the latest version of the company’s remote management software. In addition to tight integration with Mac OS X, Apple said the new version is a Universal application for both PowerPC and Intel-based platforms.
“It’s the best way to manage Macs on your network,” Eric Zelenka, senior product line manager Mac OS X Product Marketing, told Macworld. “You can manage a network of Macs as easily as a single Mac.”
The new version includes the ability for users to do Spotlight searches across multiple Tiger systems. Spotlight, Apple’s built-in desktop search engine allows users to search for file names or text within documents and files.
“We designed Apple Remote Desktop 3 to take advantage of the innovations we introduced in Mac OS X Tiger,” said Zelenka.
Apple is also including 30 Automator actions for automating repetitive system administration tasks. A new Dashboard Widget allows users to observe remote systems and an AutoInstall feature for installing software automatically on mobile systems when they return online.
Users of previous Apple Remote Desktop versions will appreciate the remote drag and drop in version 3 that allows files to be transferred between local and remote computers. The new version also includes remote copy and past between local and remote computers.
Apple Remote Desktop 3 is available immediately for $299 for managing up to 10 systems and $499 for managing an unlimited number of systems. Apple said they “priced Apple Remote Desktop 3 competitively” so the $299 is the entry-level and upgrade price.
Update: Added information from interview with Apple executives.