[January 28, 2014] |
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Dell Software Speeds Windows Migrations and Simplifies Large-Scale System Deployments with Latest Version of Dell KACE K2000 Endpoint Systems Management Solution
ROUND ROCK, Texas --(Business Wire)--
Dell Software today
announced the latest release of its flagship Dell KACE (News - Alert) K2000 Deployment
Appliance to further automate, accelerate and simplify OS and
application migrations while dramatically reducing the complexity of
large-scale system deployments. The new Dell
KACE K2000 v3.6 features advanced multicasting capabilities and a
new task engine that makes it much easier and faster to capture and
deploy system images across a range of tablets, laptops, desktops and
servers.
Growing device diversity across distributed IT environments has added
yet another layer of complexity to the task of deploying and managing
multiple systems. To ensure the highest levels of security and user
productivity, organizations must ensure that all systems are configured,
updated and patched with the latest applications and operating systems.
For many companies still scrambling to move off Microsoft Windows XP
before the April end-of-support deadline, there's an increased sense of
urgency to ease the management of systems imaging.
With the new Dell KACE K2000 v3.6, organizations can clear major
migration roadblocks while shifting system deployments into high gear
with advanced capabilities that accelerate migrations and optimize
system lifecycle management. Unlike software-only solutions that can be
complicated to set up and manage, Dell KACE integrates critical systems
deployment functionality into an easy-to-deploy physical or virtual
appliance that produces fast time to value.
"Dell KACE continues to add new functionality to its award-winning
systems management appliances to elevate IT efficiency, endpoint
security and workforce productivity," says David Kloba, general manager
of Endpoint Systems Management for Dell Software. "With the latest
release of our Dell KACE K2000 Deployment Appliance, we offer a smarter
approach to systems imaging that will help customers successfully move
off Windows XP and be better prepared to handle large-scale deployments
across multiple devices and operating systems."
Adding Intelligence and Automation for Smarter Systems Imaging
With the new Dell KACE K2000 v3.6 appliance, customers can more readily
create core images and then layer on top the unique drivers, updates,
applications, configurations and user settings that turn a basic systems
image into a viable user experience. Systems deployment enhancements
include:
-
Multicasting enables customers to deploy images on up to 250
multipl systems simultaneously, accelerating deployments by at least
40 percent.1 Additionally, bandwidth consumption is reduced
significantly because the same image data is transferred to multiple
clients only once over the network. Integration of multicasting with
the new task engine provides greater automation while providing
administrators with real-time feedback during multicast sessions.
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Task Engine automates and controls complex deployment tasks,
including multiple reboots. Tight integration with multicasting
improves migration and deployment reliability and efficiency. By
automating scheduling and sequencing, the new task engine enables true
"lights-off" operation, which lets IT administrators run deployments
after hours to reduce administrative overhead and minimize user
disruptions.
Availability:
-
Dell KACE K2000 is available now for a list price of $4,500, which
includes 100 managed nodes and supports the latest operating systems
for Microsoft Windows tablets, laptops, desktops and servers as well
as Apple laptops and desktops.
-
Existing K2000 customers can upgrade to the latest version at no
additional cost. K2000 is sold direct by Dell and through Dell channel
partners.
Quotes:
-
Ron Falkoff, system analyst, Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country
Day School
"We expect the Dell KACE K2000's new multicasting
feature to push everything we do with re-imaging into overdrive, which
we predict will shave about 25 percent off the time it will take to
re-image about 450 new and 900 existing tablets and laptops. Moreover,
we're getting great results with the task engine. We used it to find
and fix errors in an install process, which will increase performance
on that particular install by at least 10 percent going forward. We
look forward to using this latest tool in our KACE Swiss Army knife to
streamline a recent Microsoft Windows 8.1 pilot."
-
Jon Scott, desktop administrator, Salem Health
"The Dell
KACE K2000 plays an important role in our best practices approach to
migrating off Windows XP. We're using the Dell KACE K1000 to catalog
all our software and then will rely on Dell's ChangeBASE solution to
automate application remediation before using the K2000 for systems
deployment. In particular, the new multicasting feature will expedite
a move to Windows 7 over the next month by migrating 1,500 critical
kiosks that physicians and medical staff use to access electronic
medical records. We're equally excited about taking advantage of the
task engine's 'lights-off' operation to work around our 24/7 hospital
environment."
-
Robert Young, research manager, Client Device and IT Services
Management Software, IDC (News - Alert)
"In today's complex IT environments,
IT administrators increasingly are seeking system imaging solutions
that stretch far beyond the traditional creation and utilization of
static PC images. Imaging solutions that offer advanced capabilities
for centralizing and layering image files, enabling process workflows,
automating task sequencing and streamlining the deployment of images
to a wide range of device types across distributed environments can
greatly enhance the IT organization's ability to deliver up-to-date
images while also minimizing unnecessary business user downtime."
Supporting Resources:
Delivering Complete and Connected Software Solutions
Dell Software empowers companies of all sizes to experience Dell's
"Power to Do More" by delivering scalable yet simple-to-use solutions
that can increase productivity, responsiveness and efficiency. Dell
Software is uniquely positioned to address today's most pressing
business and IT challenges with holistic, connected software offerings
across five core solution areas, encompassing data center and cloud
management, information management, mobile workforce management,
security and data protection. This software, when combined with Dell
hardware and services, helps customers simplify IT, mitigate risk and
accelerate business results.
About Dell
Dell Inc. listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and
services that give them the power to do more. For more information,
visit www.dell.com.
Dell is a trademark of Dell Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary
interest in the marks and names of others.
1 Based on the K2 benchmark test performed by Dell Labs in
December 2013 comparing Multicast to Unicast deployments.

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