Novell as a corporation still clearly has issues, but its ZENWorks technology isn t one of them. This is welcome news for corporations that are chagrined over the limitations in the existing Windows 2000 embedded management facilities. Within the year, Novell plans to phase out the need for a Novell client as well. It s accurate to say that ZENWorks version 3 extends and enhances the core Windows 2000 management facilities. Advanced policy-based imaging capabilities that enable administrators to create policies based on granular workstation configuration items including IP address, size of hard disk, etc.
Businesses can also modify images after they have been created.
Improved integration with Windows 2000 IntelliMirror. ZENWorks can customize up to 90 percent of desktop administration tasks and obviate the need for manual intervention. Anecdotal customer evidence suggests this can reduce the time needed for routine tasks by as much as 30 percent. Giga urges customers not to be put off by the Novell brand name. ZENWorks for Desktops and ZENWorks for Servers version 3 are definitely worth a look-see for any NT or Windows 2000 business looking for an advanced management package that is tried and proven in production environments.