DesktopStandard purchased by Microsoft
Is it good or bad that DesktopStandard was purchased by Microsoft?
Now, before we go into the ANALYSIS of what's happened, I encourage you to read this, which does a pretty good job explaining WHAT happened.
http://www.networkworld.com/article/2307686/software/microsoft-acquires-policy-based-management-vendor-desktopstandard.html
Well, I picked one heck of a day to start my blog. Today's topic: Microsoft's purchase of DesktopStandard. Now, before we go into the ANALYSIS of what's happened, I encourage you to read this, which does a pretty good job explaining WHAT happened. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/100206-ms-desktopstandard.html?page=1 Okay. Now that that's out of the way, let's analyze WHAT we're going to get: The Good -------- - 21 new Client Side Extensions: You want to zap Outlook configuration down? Zaaap. You want to zap shortcuts on the desktop? Zaaap. You want to zap Printer settings? Zaaap. In all, 21 new things to Zap. -GPOVault: This is a "Check-in / Check-out" GP management system which is built right into the GPMC. I like this tool because, well, it's just built right in to the GPMC, which means I don't have to load ANOTHER console to do the dirty work. So, the idea is the Sally creates the GPO, Fred makes sure it's Kosher and Kirk puts it in play. All around a welcome addition. The unknown ----------- -PolicyMaker Registry Extension: This was a great free CSE which could be used to zap down registry changes. Who knows what the status will be of this great free tool. -Share Manager: Another CSE available for purchase which managed shares on servers. Honestly, I don't know if this tool sold well or not. The ugly -------- -PolicyManger Software Update: Imagine WSUS that actually worked with GPOs and that understood Active Directory. Now imagine it dead. Yep, this very cool product will likely not see the light of day as a Microsoft product. Microsoft already has a free patch strategy system, WSUS (again, even though it has no tie ins to AD and very little tie ins to GPOs) and SMS for industrial-strength patch management. This product kind of fit in the middle, and well, now it's dead. Analysis -------- In the end analysis -- it's great. More stuff for GPO admins to know and love. And more power to do what they love to do. Stay tuned for more info as it comes up. You bet I'll be all over this when I have more to share.
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