It's a given that mobile users will run into configuration problems when connecting their notebook PCs to different networks as they travel to different locations. What isn't a given, however, is that even the capable features of Symantec Corp.'s Mobile Essentials 2.0 will fix those problems. Mobile Essentials 2.0's features will work very well for companies that have technically savvy users or complete control of the networks to which their mobile employees are connecting. But if the mobile user visits clients or business partners or connects to any other third-party network, the product could be as much of a hindrance as an aid if the configuration of that network changes. For companies already dealing with the high cost of system management suites, this product will likely be too costly.
Users then select the appropriate profile during boot-up to match their location.
In testing we found the software worked well on systems running Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0. Furthermore, administrators have control over users' ability to modify Mobile Essentials' settings during the install process. For example, we set up Mobile Essentials in a way that allowed users to change dialing settings and the default printer, but users could not access networking settings through the Mobile Essentials application. Users still have the ability to change network settings through other means, including the Windows Networking application. However, because Mobile Essentials saves profile settings, users can fall back to those settings.