Overview

• Summary
• Installation Narration
• Running the Program
• Setting up the System
• Ongoing Administration
• OS/Device/Software Support
• Auditing and Reporting
• Support and Pricing
• Key Strengths - Technical
• Key Weaknesses - Technical
• Key Strengths - Commercial
• Key Weaknesses - Commercial

Summary

Lanboss has created a feature rich SAM product that allows the management of just about every auditing process a business requires. In addition to the normal auditing and management functionality it includes many features that enable organisations to transition from one infrastructure to another. A unique UNC mapping system allows real-time remapping of UNC paths that facilitate a smooth transition between servers, applications and data. For consultants and executives, the Console and database files can be copied to a local machines for off-line use, again very simple to achieve and doesn’t require installation or other complications.

On the application monitoring front it provides some extra bells and whistles. Whilst providing real-time application control, using known license thresholds, it adds detail by enabling the operator to provide bespoke messages to staff using applications that are being monitored thus hand holding them through any important message(s) and even asking for feedback.

The company has developed the system in a modular fashion. For the review we have only detailed the SAM core (Workstation Manager). Other options including removable device management and Datacop; a centralised approach to optical disk access and control are available as modular plugins to the core product.

The Workstation Auditor version is available for free. This flexible approach allows organisations to both trial this component and build a picture of the software usage and license count prior to embarking on a full scale implementation of the Lanboss software.

Finally, the company pitches the product from 250 through 10,000 seats and above and can provide consulting and audit management services either directly or via its channel. Any organisation that requires SAM now with the potential to easily add device management and other options later, should consider the Lanboss solution.

Installation Narration

The Lanboss software is delivered via a single 88MB installer file. A very simple installer is used and asks no difficult questions throughout the process. It takes less than a minute to install the software. On starting the application for the first time the system creates the database tables it requires, this is a one-off process and is completed within a few minutes. The product gets top marks for the ease of installation process.

Running the Program

The system is comprised of several components including a proxy server, file server, discovery console and the main Lanboss console used for management and reporting. The system is inherently flexible and also installs a small version of the main database on each client PC. This is used for a unique delta process that enables the clients to gather data quickly without constant communication with the central server processes. Most of the components, other than the Lanboss console, run on a central server and once operational can be left to run. The console itself uses a proprietary interface, however, it is easy to use, although because of its thoroughness, will take some time to get to the bottom of all of the features available to the operator.

Setting up the System

All of the components are installed from a single setup installer. It is well devised and easy to install. Quite a few separate components need to run in the back end of the server though Lanboss provide a useful one click service manager application to fire them all up in the correct order, this can be automated from the start-up process of course. Installing a client is easy and the payload is small, amongst the smallest of any of the products reviewed, and this sets it up well for a low impact on the local area network and more importantly the wide area network if one is use across the business. Once the agents are installed they’ll take up to 30 minutes (depending on the drives and file volumes on the PC) to report back to the server. In the test the server had received hardware information with 2 minutes.

Ongoing Administration

Rolling out client agents is a snap. A powerful scanning feature of the Agent Distributor is the ability to segment scanning of devices, either individually or by subnet, range, computer name. It also provides a useful ability to sync agents at the click of a button. As with all of the products reviewed, it will take time to get used to the Lanboss way of doing things. The UI is well set out and after some hands on experience it is easy to use. The solution offers some really interesting abilities; being able to see what a user on a particular machine is running is a particular feature that sets it apart from others.

OS/Device/Software Support

At present Microsoft operating systems are supported but there are plans to expand this to others including Linux and OSX in the future. Lanboss offers a very granular level of detail when reporting peripheral devices and ports attached to a PC. The product also does well in the detail stakes providing a level of detail on applications in use and which user is logged in beyond many others in the market.

Auditing and Reporting

Lanboss have spent some time with the reporting functionality. A plethora of canned reports are available out of the box but not content with the stock reports the company has thrown in a full scripting language that enables the operator to construct almost limitless combinations of management and operational reports.

Support and Pricing

Purchasing product maintenance provides 90 days of direct telephonic and remote KVM support to users, limited to 3 incidents during that time. Thereafter, Lanboss provides email and client forum support.
For specialised requirements, additional incidents can be purchased. First year maintenance is included in full license purchase, the 2nd year onward is 33% for maintenance. The Lanboss definition of maintenance includes product support, with minor and major upgrade protection, which means that all maintained users automatically have rights to the latest version.

Workstation Auditor is free for any seat count, but this does not include any direct support or maintenance.
When purchasing maintenance for Auditor, a client becomes eligible to upgrade their license to Workstation Manager, which works out to be an extremely cost effective way for users to a) get the picture of what's going on out there and b) to be able to take action and do remediation (for a modest upgrade fee). At 1,000 seats, end user pricing is a little under £12.50 per seat for the Workstation Manager following the upgrade route.

Key Strengths – Technical

• Slick interface and easy to learn and then use.
• Uses own licensed database.

Key Weaknesses – Technical

• Only manages Windows OS based machines at present.
• Although the interface is nicely constructed it will require more time to get used to as opposed to an MMC interface.

Key Strengths – Commercial

• Very cost effective when it comes to 3rd party requirements due to the use of its own SQL database which can support up to 10,000 users on a single system where the standard MS SQL approach stops at about 1500 thus saving on hardware costs.
• One stop shop that can be enhanced with additional modules to provide a true single point solution.

Key Weaknesses – Commercial

• At present only manages Windows OS based machines.

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