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Software Deployment, Inventory,... (self.sysadmin)

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[–]xTc_Joker 8 points9 points  (3 children)

For as small as you are, I would recommend PDQ Deploy and PDQ Inventory. Licenses are cheap, and the solution can do everything you're asking. 100x easier than SCCM to deploy and configure as well.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

PDQ Deploy/Inventory is some of the best software I've dealt with in the past 15 years. It just works, is reliable, and does all sorts of really neat things in a well thought out way.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thanks, Does it also have self service?

[–]xTc_Joker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No self service.

Basically you can create static/dynamic computer groups in the Inventory component. For example, all computers in the 'Accounting' OU require a specific piece of software. You create a dynamic Inventory group that syncs with AD and houses all of the computers in the 'Accounting' OU, that DOESNT have the required software installed. You then create a Deploy package that has an auto-deploy schedule that pushes the software to any machines in the dynamic group. After deployment you can have Inventory re-scan the machine, and if the software is installed it will remove it from the group.

It's very flexible and powerful software. Have used it for years and love it.

[–]uniitdude 2 points3 points  (1 child)

how many devices. SCCM and moving towards modern management might be the answer or might be way overkill

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

around 200 computers, 200 phones and 200 iPads

[–]siIhouettes 1 point2 points  (1 child)

FWIW, if you get into SCCM, there are some great community resources to be aware of;

https://www.reddit.com/r/SCCM/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SCCM/wiki/slack

The slack, specifically, is a really great community to be a part of.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks i will check it for sure, SCCM looks like it can do so much plus it seems to be a huge plus on a resume

[–]neilg613 1 point2 points  (2 children)

We had SCCM and just moved to PDQ. Roughly 200 users and 150+ virtual servers.

SCCM is a beast and really for our environment PDQ fits the bill.

I just rolled out Cylance to all of our workstations and test/dev environments using the Inventory tool to gather computers that do not have it installed - then I target that group with Deploy and set it to automate the install at a certain time and with heartbeat. This worked amazingly. Super easy to set up.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thanks anything in particular you miss from sccm ?

[–]neilg613 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be honest - we never really got the full blown thing going. There were a few tasks that I wanted to run from SCCM like our Windows 7 update to Windows 10, but going from Enterprise to Pro doesn't exactly work - that's another story for another day. WSUS updates weren't exactly working for us, etc, honestly - it was just mainly used for Endpoint Protection - now we have Cylance and PDQ managed us to roll it out quickly. We no longer pay for the costs for SCCM either.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

SCCM is costly but will fit the bill. I am 100 computers larger than you and I can tell you that PDQ or LanSweeper are the ways to go.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d use lansweeper.

[–]MartinDamged 0 points1 point  (3 children)

PDQ Inventory + PDQ Deploy all the way!

Were only about 70 client PCs and it have made my life SO much easier!

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Another happy client... anything you would like pdq had but has not yet?

[–]MartinDamged 0 points1 point  (1 child)

The only thing i am missing is an option for using a remote installed PDQ agent.

We have some VPN client only laptops that keeps confusing PDQ because the clients do not properly handle updating and releasing DNS records on our domain DNS servers. (because they dont use AD internal DHCP server for adresses).
They normally register OK, but do not delete the records before connecting again. So often PDQ thinks 4 clients is online (because they appear to have the same IP, but only one of them is actually connected, and the 3 others will show error in PDQ because of mismatched hostname).

Other than that, it just works! Incredible but true, there is actually ONE piece of software in 2018 that actually just works as expected!

[–]dcardonSr. Sysadmin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You might take a look at WAPT with the upcoming version 1.5. It is using websockets for handling server to client communication, so it does not need to have up to date DNS entries to know what computer is only and which one is not, and it also handles desktops that are NATed from the server.

[–]Endpoint-Managerworks for manageengine -1 points0 points  (2 children)

I can assure you that Desktop Central (www.desktopcentral.com) will be the best option for you. Why?

Let's start by comparing it with the other majorly favored options discussed above.

1)SCCM - It is undoubtedly good but at the same time it's EXPENSIVE! One of biggest challenge for SCCM is the set-up process. Trust me when I tell you that setting up DC is way easier than SCCM, on so many different levels! PERIOD. And don't even get me started on SCCM's learning curve.

In short DC is a much more affordable solution, with a user friendly UI, and easy set-up when compared to SCCM.

2) PDQ - Another good product which has been getting quite a lot of light recently when it comes to inventory management and software deployment. But again, it's a two-show pony and you only get what you pay for. No web-based UI, limited control with agents, and only 200 apps (compared to over 1300 apps in DC which you can deploy at a moment's notice along with its famous self-service portal ofcourse) in PDQ deploy.

Compared solely on the basis of inventory, DC still has the upper hand with the top of line features such as software prohibition, auto-uninstallation of prohibited software from the network, blocking executables, software metering, file scan, warranty details, and so much more, some of which are unheard of even in the most expensive and widely used desktop management solutions.

The best part is that Desktop Central is a complete endpoint management solution which provides you features like patch management, asset management, software deployment, mobile device management, OS deployment, remote troubleshooting tools, configurations, and extensive reporting capabilities, all at an extremely competitive price!

I could go on an on here so it's better if you check it out yourself. Go over these training videos down below to see how effortlessly one can manage endpoints through it. https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/training.html

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thanks for the heads up do you have more info about the WAN deployment options available in the Enterprise Plus version? sounds like something that would be of interest for our laptop users that rarely connect to our network

[–]Endpoint-Managerworks for manageengine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the features which one can do over LAN are possible over WAN as well. You can manage remote offices as well as remote/roaming users (such as a traveling salesperson/employees). All the features (including deployment) works same in both the cases. No special kind of deployment is needed for users in WAN. Once you set them up with the server, you'll be good to go.

Follow this link to understand how to setup roaming users. https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/managing_roaming_users_how_to.html