6 replies to this topic

[AllToga]

I'd like an add-in to manage software. This would be an add-in with client pc software used to manage the collection of software, but the client application would store the software install packs on the server (probably in a sub directory of the Software share). Also, software could be browsed from the add-in on the console or from the client PC software. This would be a manual app, where if an update for the software is available, the user would download it and drop it into the client application and then add meta data about it.

This would allow the management of the install programs from one or more PCs, while installing the software could be performed from any PC that has the console installed.

Some ideas include:
1. Integrate into the Client Inventory add-in to show which software is installed on what machines
2. Allow for comments on each version of the software added to the database
3. Allow for license key information for software
4. Provide searching functionality
5. Provide a way to download the install file to the desktop from within the console.
6. Allow for metadata for each program (some for each version) so that the home webpage could be saved, notes about the program, what the program is used for, etc.
7. Have the ability to default to the most recent version, but allow for downloading of older versions in the database.


I have a bunch of software all in different directories, and I haven't found a good way to keep track of it. I have software that I've downloaded for one purpose, but I've forgotten the name or where to find it. (For example, I used Macrium Reflect (free) to create an image of my new PC so that I could swap out the OS hard drive and still have the recovery partition)

[diehard]

Where did I see a post by you on this and using Belarc Advisor ?

Here is something along those lines http://www.homeserve...est-friend.aspx An addin that can grab some info from these types of apps would be interesting.

[AllToga]

Where did I see a post by you on this and using Belarc Advisor ?

I posted it as an idea for an add-in to perform a client inventory.

http://homeserversho...ient-inventory/

The software manager add-in would be similar, but would manage software application packages and information about them and not necessarily check if they're installed on the different PCs.

...Here is something along those lines http://www.homeserve...est-friend.aspx An addin that can grab some info from these types of apps would be interesting.

That does look good. It seems there are a lot of apps out there that can get the information for the Client Inventory (http://homeserversho...ient-inventory/) but few that will provide a neat collection of all of the PCs in the home.

[simone]

I recommend you to take a look at this file management software. You can set up your own file server for managing and sharing files through web browser. It's like DropBox but self-hosted so that you can keep all your confidential files on your own server. The web based UI looks and feels like Windows 7 Explorer. It offers features that are not possible with a FTP server such as zipping files, downloading multiple files and folders in single download etc. It's also easier to set up and administrate than a FTP server.

Edited by simone, 26 April 2012 - 01:44 PM.

[jmwills]

WHS 2011 will do everything you just described.

[JerryW]

Zoho's Desktop Management Software (Desktop Central 8) is what I use. It is web-based and not an "add-in" but you can install a fully-functional free version that will handle up to 25 computers. http://www.manageeng...esktop-central/

Edited by JerryW, 26 April 2012 - 04:59 PM.

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

Zoho's Desktop Management Software (Desktop Central 8) is what I use. It is web-based and not an "add-in" but you can install a fully-functional free version that will handle up to 25 computers. http://www.manageeng...esktop-central/

That looks pretty slick. Thanks for the link.