Application Settings Management
Today's Plan: Do we have to fight more fires?
In Greg Shields' "5 Rules for Managing Users Desktops" (REDMOND Magazine, full article here) Greg outlines five "Laws" to ensure that the IT department (not the end user) is really running the show. While we want to empower the user to be productive, we don't want the user to be able to make decisions where they can shoot themselves in the foot. PolicyPak Software is uniquely equipped to address all five of these rules. Let's examine them now.
Rule No. 1: If you leave any component of desktop management to the user, you're no longer managing that machine.
Are you simply leaving the final configuration state "up to the user?" This is what most IT managers are happy doing. But what they don't know can really hurt their organization. Is the end user supposed to be responsible for the same level of knowledge that the application owner or IT department has? Should users really be put in charge of manipulating desktops and laptop security, configuration and application management? If users should fend for themselves, why do they need the IT department? As Greg states in his article, "By assigning responsibilities for desktop management back to these users, you effectively rescind proactive control over the environment you are chartered to control and manage."
Rule No. 2: Never interrupt the user's workflow.
PolicyPak works with the workflow your users already have. When they log on, Group Policy automatically delivers and retracts applications and settings from the desktop. And, Group Policy will automatically refresh the application's settings while the user is logged on -- without interruption throughout the day. As Greg state, "When you have applications and patches installed in ways that cause your users to see pop-up windows or splash screens, you often get user irritation and a spike in help desk calls in return." With PolicyPak, there are never any pop-ups or splash screens. The applications settings are simply updated if need be, and ready to use the next time the application is launched.
Rule No. 3: With desktop management, never ask for the user's opinion.
Greg states, "Providing options in core desktop configurations is a lot like giving your users just enough rope to hang themselves. They'll enjoy the freedom, at least until they start experiencing problems and application conflicts." We couldn't agree more. PolicyPak was born out of the desire to ensure that users get a consistent application experience, even if they try to go off and make changes to desktop applications that cannot be "locked out." With PolicyPak, the application state you want is the application state you get.
Rule No. 4: Computing equipment belongs to the business, not to IT and not to the user. Manage it as such.
Who's computer is it anyway? As Greg states "Users who gain a sense of ownership over their desktop systems often end up forgetting that point. Desktop personality elements are necessary for bringing a sense of familiarity to a machine used every day by its user, but the customization stops there." With PolicyPak you get to choose which elements are addressed by the IT staff, and which elements are still able to be managed by a user -- if you want to. For instance, in a home-grown application, you might want to allow the user to change the font color, but ensure that everyone is using the same server to save document.s With PolicyPak, you're in charge of managing specific application's settings.
Rule No. 5: Moving desktop management from reactive to proactive will initially involve more work than less...
Greg wraps up his rules with good advice. "The first [way to get more proactive] is a proper systems-management toolset that helps you with automating common and otherwise manual tasks." That's PolicyPak. PolicyPak doesn't deliver applications to the desktop. PolicyPak manages the applications that you put on your desktops. We work alongside whatever desktop deployment tool you use: Group Policy, SMS / SCCM, LanDesk and more. You get the application on the desktop, we'll configure the settings.
How will you take charge?
Are you ready to manage dozens or even hundreds of applications from one location? Are you positioned to tweak each user's application settings without leaving your desk?
Application Settings Management Next Steps
Now that you know the rules, take charge. First read the whole "Windows Insider" article in REDMOND Magazine, click here.
Then get cost-effective, simple, and manageable solutions to configure your applications today.
You can sign up for a free live demo. Just click the DEMO button on the right.
Or, you can contact PolicyPak directly at 1-800-883-8002 or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
