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SMS Integration
Overview

Afaria Frontline Extensions for Microsoft® Systems Management Server 2003

More and more workers are leaving the confines of headquarters to get closer to customers, and they are equipped with the devices and applications they need to access and capture business-critical information at the front lines of your business. Recognizing the critical role that mobile and other distributed technologies play in business today, Sybase iAnywhere andMicrosoft have partnered to make the combination of Afaria and Systems Management Server 2003 the most comprehensive solution on the market for managing frontline solutions.

Beyond Systems Management: Frontline Management
In addition to complete platform coverage, the collaboration between Microsoft and Sybase iAnywhere brings a whole new range of critical management capabilities to the table. SMS 2003 administrators have direct access to a full range of Afaria Frontline Management functions on both Windows and non-Windows platforms. Frontline Management extends traditional configuration management to address the unique challenges of the frontline environment, where users are typically out of reach and managers have limited ability to see and influence activity.

Security Management ensures that sensitive data is fully protected at all times, reducing the risk associated with extending corporate information to the field. Power-on passwords and other device authentication methods are continuously and centrally controlled. Data is encrypted during transport and on the device, and can be locked down or even wiped should the device be lost or stolen. Centrally managed data backup and restore capabilities ensure that corporate information can be recovered.

Process Automation enables the execution of tasks and enforcement of policies across widely dispersed frontline organizations. Process steps can be specified–even tailored by user or device–and assigned to enterprise users, providing central control over tasks such as: distribution of business content, enforcement of security configurations for personal firewalls and antivirus software, and direction of end user activities.

Data and Content Management recognizes the need for end user access to applications and data where network connections are unreliable or even unavailable. Application data is synchronized with corporate at the file or relational database level, providing local data for use in off-line mode. A client agent continually monitors for opportunities to connect and synchronize transparently in the background, ensuring that end users always have the most current information possible.

Connection Management reduces the complexity of connecting to corporate systems from a variety of locations and over diverse networks. Multi-step processes to connect to the network, authenticate, synchronize applications, and tear down calls are fully automated and made transparent to the end user. During the connection, advanced optimizations ensure that limited bandwidth is used in the most effective way. All activity is logged, providing full visibility to end user experience and use of the network.

Supporting Users Anywhere They Want to Work
Microsoft and Sybase iAnywhere recognize the challenges of working away from the corporate LAN. Underlying the Afaria-SMS 2003 integrated solution are frontline optimizations that enable workers to operate effectively over low-bandwidth or intermittent network connections. Network presence, throughput, and usage are monitored continuously to maximize available bandwidth while ensuring that critical user tasks take precedence and that sessions can be restarted right from the checkpoint where a network disconnect occurred.

Together, Microsoft and Sybase iAnywhere provide you with the tools you need to mobilize your enterprise. You now have the freedom to choose the best platforms possible for your users, knowing that you’ll have the ability to efficiently manage whatever you select. Further, you have the specialized capabilities needed to ensure that technology is kept simple and useful for your workers, that you’ll have visibility to activity out on your front lines, and that you’ll be able to drive the actions necessary to maximize your return on investment in technology.

Complete Platform Coverage
iAnywhere’s Microsoft .Net-based product line, integrated with SMS 2003, expands the range of devices that can be managed from the SMS console. Now SMS can be used to manage all the latest Windows platforms, as well as handheld devices.

Spanning both Windows and non- Windows platforms, these hardto- manage devices are used by key employees serving customers in the field and in retail sites and branch offices. With a seamless solution, enterprises can deploy SMS software packages to any of these devices – PCs, laptops, tablets, handhelds, and smartphones – from the SMS console. In addition, a detailed inventory of all hardware and software asset information is maintained in the SMS repository.

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