Manage-IT is a powerful tool designed to automate several time-consuming session configuration and security lockdown tasks under Terminal Server. Configurable resources include:

• Shortcuts (Desktop, Start menu, Start/Programs menu , Startup folder, Quick Launch area)
• Color schemes
• Wallpaper
• Registry-based policy settings (lockdown)
• HKCU registry keys and values (create, modify, delete)
• Network drive mappings
• Network printer connections
• Environment variables
• Logon scripts

Manage-IT assignments are made using the Provision Management Console (PMC). Managed resources may be assigned to users, groups, OU’s and physical devices specified by name or IP address (figure 1).

Figure 1 – The Provision Management Console.

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Benefits

Manage-IT is designed to benefit all server-based deployment scenarios. Whether deploying full-featured desktops or published applications, Manage-IT can play a vital role in configuring and locking down the user’s server-based environment (figure 2).

Organizations leverage the benefits of Server-Based Computing to deliver business applications to their employees and partners in one of several ways:

Server-Based Desktops - in this scenario, a user connects to a Terminal Server and receives a full-featured desktop session. Applications are then executed by clicking on shortcuts residing on the Desktop, Start and Start-Programs menus, and Quick Launch bar.

Published Applications - in this scenario, a user authenticates and receives a list of authorized applications. The user then launches an application by clicking on its corresponding icon.

TaskStations - These connectivity methods are seldom implemented and are only practical in small-scale environments consisting of a limited number of task-oriented users. In this scenario, the program’s full path is hard-coded into the ICA or RDP client on the user’s PC or thin client. As a result, the application is started automatically when the user logs on.

Figure 2. Manage-IT is designed to benefit all server-based deployment scenarios.

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Manage-IT vs. The Competition

Other configuration and lockdown products for Server-Based Computing are available from other vendors. Unlike Manage-IT, these products suffer from many drawbacks including:

• Architectures that substitute a proprietary shell for the native shell (Windows Explorer). In the absence of the Explorer shell, many applications that are written as Explorer shell extensions will fail to launch. Proprietary shells also deny users the many rich benefits of the native Explorer shell 
• Significant increases in CPU and memory requirements.
  
• Some of these products start their proprietary shell alongside the native shell (Windows Explorer). In the event that the vendor’s shell crashes (as has been often reported), the native (unsecured) shell is automatically exposed to the user. 
• False claims to the effect that their products obviate the need to implement roaming (or mandatory) profiles and policies. In contrast, we believe that the use of policies and profiles is indispensable in a Terminal Server environment in order to ensure a consistent and reliable experience across a multi-server farm.  
• Cost-prohibitive price models (per-server, per-user, or both) that undermine the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) promise of Server-Based Computing.

High recurring annual maintenance (subscription) costs.

Licensing

• Standalone per-server license
• Per concurrent user - Part of the vWorkspace Power Tools Edition
• Per concurrent user - Part of the vWorkspace (Enterprise Edition)