Through the Praim ThinMan Advanced console it is now possible to control the automatic update process and simplify the installation of third-party software
Praim, a global company that develops software solutions for the automated and scalable creation and management of workstations and Thin Client hardware solutions, has further innovated the products dedicated to IT departments for centralized and automated management of Windows-based workstations. From today it is possible through the Praim ThinMan Advanced management console check the automatic updates process of Microsoft (Windows Update) of all Windows stations enhanced with the Agile4PC agent (available for each Windows device, such as laptops, PCs, third-party Thin Clients or specific devices based on Windows 10 IoT). This functionality is added to many others offered by Agile, and centrally coordinated by ThinMan, to optimize and simplify the configuration of Windows workstations, make them more secure, guaranteeing their management over time.
Among these stand out Desktop Lockdown, the control or distribution of software installation packages and commands, the distribution of security certificates and configurations.
The Desktop Lockdown it is a configuration method that aims to simplify the use of the workstation, so that it is dedicated to single or specific tasks, as typically necessary in many work contexts, for example focused on the execution of a single sector software with an interactive interface. There are various ways to achieve a Desktop Lockdown and they vary depending on the operating system used. With Windows, very in-depth system knowledge is required and specific configurations, system policies, and other changes must be applied.
Praim Agile offers a fast and complete alternative that also presents many more possibilities for configuring and customizing the end user interface. Through the Agile agent distributed on all Praim Thin Clients, and also available in the Agile4PC version for all other hardware, it is possible to activate Desktop Lockdown mode without having to carry out all these operations. The configuration will be applied and remain editable even remotely in a centralized way using the ThinMan management console and can be quickly replicated on an unlimited number of devices with Agile.
Checking and applying automatic Windows updates. Windows Update is a service that is always active on Microsoft Windows devices, which decides and coordinates the download, installation and application of updates completely autonomously and determined by Microsoft. This functionality can often disturb the management process of the company's IT infrastructure because the updates require the use of bandwidth on the network and, if applied automatically, can slow down the workstation and require various restarts that are not always at controllable times and times. Switching from the automatic Windows Update mode to a flexible and personalized, centrally controlled mode, however, is a complex activity that requires specific configurations on each device and the ability to control how and when updates are carried out, also coordinating with other device features, such as the Write Filter. Gaining flexibility directly through commands and policies is complex and resource-expensive.
With ThinMan and Agile4PC, however, it is possible to set automatic Windows updates on individual or groups of devices, with one click. Once the updates are disabled in automatic mode, it is then possible to control their application in a flexible and personalized way, choosing on which machines and at what time they should be downloaded and applied. ThinMan also allows you to do this in a massive and automated way, with activities planned for both individuals and groups of devices. You will therefore be able to have full control of maintenance and update activities without running the risk of postponing them or blocking production for massive IT activities.
Installation of software and remote controls: Starting from Windows 7, Microsoft has made the PowerShell Remoting service available to launch PowerShell terminals or invoke scripts on remote computers (clients). This is a very powerful feature that allows you to carry out and manage centrally, from the server, actions and commands, useful for IT departments to automate the maintenance, configuration and updating operations of their fleets. To achieve this objective, however, it is necessary to carry out a complex set of operations on the server and client side and establish a secure "relationship" between them.
Devices equipped with Agile, however, can receive third-party software installation packages through a simple procedure coordinated by the ThinMan management console, taking advantage of the secure connections between the console and Praim clients. In this way a complex procedure becomes an immediate and elementary action for the IT admin or his help-desk team.
"Reducing complexity to offer ever greater efficiency and security is the underlying objective of our product innovations. In an industrial context where digital is a constant and human resources in the IT sector are precious and often overloaded, it is essential for Praim to support customers with solutions that allow them to optimize time, guarantee efficiency and uniformity, and therefore reduce the costs of managing corporate IT infrastructures", he explains Vescove Michele, R&D Manager of Praim.
