OfficeScan gives the administrator some real choices when it comes to network deployment, from centralized roll out to imaging, remote installation and an uninstall of other anti-virus products to facilitate an OfficeScan install. These are not options that many of the other solutions are offering, and for the larger SME or it may prove a real boon.
Updates are automatic and software can be updated across the network without the user having to be involved.
Offering centralized management from a dedicated console, OfficeScan also offers mobile support, and while laptops are not connected to the network, they log actions and events until connections are restored. Every time a user logs on, any new updates are pushed down to the client.
Installation is again fairly straightforward with a good level of documentation that is easy to follow. If time is an issue, it is worth considering that your server will be fully scanned at the beginning of your installation procedure.
With a small to medium-sized business running an average network without dedicated security IT personnel, pre-planning should be considered very carefully. The method of installation and client roll out should be the method most suited to your particular system. The documentation provides ways of testing your installation to ensure that it is running as required.
Trend OfficeScan has continued to provide good results over the years and our 2003 anti-virus tests didn't seem to hamper it one bit. It presented a perfect score on the first two tests, and went on to deliver all 1,012 polymorphics for another 100 percent return.
Our macro test, which gave some of the other solutions a hard time, proved too easy for this solution as it again passed with flying colors. Even the speed test presented little challenge and OfficeScan scanned the directory in 2 seconds to equal the highest score, ensuring that this solution ended on the perfect note.
Certainly in the detection and disinfection wars this solution is strong on all counts, offering great protection with first class delivery and several different deployment routes on offer.
