Novell Ships ZENworks to Efficiently Manage Mobile Workforce

To help customers reduce the growing cost of managing employee computers both in the office and on the road, Novell today shipped Novell® ZENworks® for Desktops 4. Built to operate over the Internet as well as internal networks, ZENworks for Desktops 4 automates key network management tasks so IT professionals save time and money that can be spent on other projects or put directly to the company's bottom line.

"ZENworks for Desktops is saving us about $1.5 million a year in administrative support costs," said Dr. John Brill, acting chief information officer for Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. "Through PC standardization efforts where ZENworks is the key component, users are able to more quickly and efficiently access the data and resources they need to do their jobs, help desk calls have been reduced, and technical staff is allowed to refocus on higher-level support activities. This allows technicians and management to transition from being reactive in their support to being more proactive and strategic to the organization."

According to Brad Anderson, vice president of Novell's Content and Application Management Group, an increasingly mobile workforce is putting a strain on IT budgets as companies need to manage their desktop and laptop computers wherever they roam. "On the strength of the industry-standard Novell eDirectory™, ZENworks for Desktops lets administrators automatically tailor computer content and applications according to the needs of individual users, regardless of their location," Anderson said. "ZENworks for Desktops 4 manages workstations and user environments inside or outside the firewall, across the Internet, through dial-up or other slow connections, and even for totally disconnected users."

ZENworks for Desktops is the most widely deployed directory-enabled desktop management solution on the market. When combined with ZENworks for Servers and ZENworks for Handhelds, entire networks including desktops, laptops, PDAs and multiple server platforms such as Windows*, Linux*, Solaris* and Novell NetWare® can be managed together as one Net. No longer dependent on the Novell client to manage a workstation, ZENworks for Desktops 4 works across all leading operating systems so customers get immediate benefit without expensive infrastructure upgrades.

ZENworks for Desktops 4 includes everything a customer needs to run in a Windows-only environment. Now able to integrate with Microsoft* Active Directory and NT* domains, ZENworks for Desktops automates routine management tasks using a policy-based approach. Changes to any policy can be quickly and easily distributed throughout the Net, so users, groups or entire business units can be managed while personalized work environments are maintained for each individual. ZENworks for Desktops 4 also includes Wise InstallTailor from Wise Solutions, giving customers the ability to simplify software installations by customizing Microsoft Installer via automatically generated installation transforms (.MST files).

Pricing and Availability
Novell ZENworks for Desktops 4 is now available through Novell Authorized ResellersSM and solution providers for a suggested $69 per user license. For more information, visit http://www.novell.com/products/zenworks/desktops.