Dell KACE K1000 appliance delivers ‘anypoint’ systems management

Dell has announced the newest version of its award-winning Dell KACE K1000 Systems Management Appliance, which includes new and enhanced functionality to further transform how organisations discover, configure, secure and manage computers and devices in multi-platform environments. Dell KACE K1000 version 6.3 features first-to-market systems management support of Chromebook, with seamless integration of inventory integrated directly into the K1000’s asset management, reporting and service desk capabilities.

This latest release also gives IT greater insight and control with new agentless inventory of Windows servers and PCs, as well as an option to integrate server monitoring logs and alerts for Windows, Linux and Unix servers. Additionally, enhanced agentless device discovery and asset management of any connected device offer a wealth of actionable data to help customers better manage their “Enterprise of Things.”

The Dell KACE K1000 v6.3 is a major step forward in providing “anypoint” management under a single pane of glass. “With the proliferation of mobile and smart devices connected to corporate networks, it is imperative for organisations to make systems management a top priority,” said David Kloba, vice president and general manager of Endpoint Systems Management for Dell.
“We’re redefining systems management by delivering a comprehensive, easy-to-deploy anypoint management solution for hundreds to tens of thousands of computers and devices, helping IT to significantly reduce costs.”

To help organisations address the surge of mobile devices, BYOD and Internet of Things (IoT) in the workplace, Dell Software sponsored a Dimensional Research survey in December 2014. More than 700 IT professionals worldwide assessed the biggest challenges companies face in managing a never-ending onslaught of network-connected devices.

Key findings include:
· In addition to traditional computing devices, 96 percent of those surveyed had printing devices, 84 percent had mobile devices, 78 percent had telephonic devices and 53 percent had audio-visual devices connected to their networks.
· Nearly 90 percent of the respondents expect the total number or the total types of devices requiring management to increase in the next three years.
· More than half of the survey respondents had three or more systems management tools; 67 percent of those polled wanted to use fewer systems.
· Security, the ability to monitor device/application performance, and asset management were the top three concerns for addressing increased types and numbers of devices.
· More than 60 percent of the survey participants were sure, or suspected, that there were unknown devices or applications connected to their networks.

Securely Manage Anypoint Systems and Devices with Dell KACE Systems Management
The Dell KACE K1000 v6.3 helps customers clear major obstacles caused by the sharp rise in the number and types of devices connected to corporate networks. With Dell KACE, organisations can alleviate security and compliance concerns while replacing multiple point solutions or manual processes with a single appliance that automates and integrates critical systems management functionality.

Benefits of the new Dell KACE K1000 include:
· Integration of Chromebook data greatly simplifies daily administrative, security and systems management of Chrome devices.
· Agentless asset management of Windows systems enables companies to easily manage server hardware and software without worrying about agent-based performance concerns.
· Integrated server log monitoring offers greater oversight without requiring extensive training or special expertise.
· Greater visibility through enhanced agentless technology produces actionable insights into a broad spectrum of non-computer devices such as printers, projectors, network routers and switches—all from a single console.

The Dell KACE K1000 v6.3 also streamlines patch management with real-time and roll-up status reporting. Additional enhancements include service desk improvements, greater integration with Dell Enterprise Mobility Management via single sign-on, and software asset management extensions for supporting more license types as well as an inventory of applications installed within Microsoft App-V.