PC-Duo Enterprise is a well presented application that effectively steers users through all major functions via well-considered dialogs. This "learn-as-you-go" approach will suit the busy network administrator with limited previous experience.
However, this is not a lightweight product. The functionality on offer is comprehensive and should suit many organizations.
The familiar concept of running agents on client machines is echoed here, within an architecture which supports an intermediary area for collecting data which is used, in turn, by both clients, the main console and the scheduler. A site database further acts as a repository and can be based on Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle databases.
In PC-Duo speak, "operations" may be run against clients, either all clients, or those manually selected for the task. These include the expected hardware and software scans, the setting up of software metering tasks in order to monitor software usage, and also software distribution to automatically distribute or update software to clients and other utilities.
Such operations can be enhanced by the creation of package policies to specify which software is allowed where and monitor accordingly. Clients can be grouped together logically as either fixed or dynamic groups, the latter subject to SQL filtering.
The reports section of PC-Duo is easy to use and based on a comprehensive set of pre-configured reports. Using the Crystal Reports run-time, these reports are attractive, quite fast in their execution, and customizable.
PC-Duo Enterprise additionally features a separately installed HelpDesk module, providing a means of tracking support issues and calls via a straightforward web-based architecture, enabling client web browsers to be used as the interface.
In conclusion, this is a capable product, well-presented, easy-to-use and offering very good value.
