Getting a Grasp onComputer Assets To Deliver MaximumCost Efficiency

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Our Guests:Our Guests:Kirk LangerDirector of technology, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Neb.

Peter FranklVice president of asset management sales, Absolute Software.

Kirk Langer

Director of Technology

Lincoln Public Schools

Asset Management: The Knowing-Doing Loop

Lincoln Public Schools Overview

Lincoln Public Schools is the second largest public school district in Nebraska, located in the heart of the Plains, renowned for its long-standing legacy of educational excellence and tradition of rigorous academic achievement. The school district is growing and thriving, serving:

• People35,000 students3,000 teachers4,000 support staff

• Facilities6 High Schools1 Alternative High School4 Focus Programs3 Special Services10 Middle Schools37 Elementary Schools4 District Support Buildings

Lincoln Public Schools Technology Infrastructure

• Network ConnectivityMetropolitan Area Network (MAN)

• Fiber ring with 8 “core” sites

• Fiber connections from each core site to additional locationsLocal Area Networks

• Switched 100Mb over copper

• Wireless 802.11 a/b/g

• Computers – 17,543Macintosh OS X

• 9,292 desktops

• 4,796 laptopsWindows XP and 7

• 2,377 desktops

• 1,078 laptops

Lincoln Public Schools – Computing Services

• Computing Services Department (established 09/2003)Information Systems

• Development

• Server Infrastructure

• Enterprise Software

• District and School Office computers (primarily Windows OS)Instructional Technology

• Instructional Computers (primarily Macintosh OS)

• Instructional Software and Curriculum

• Internet ServicesAsset Management

• OS specific

• Primarily location specific

Computing Services – Enterprise Asset Management

• PerspectiveTechnicians

• Managing the hardware/software

• Focus is “doing”Leadership

• Manage budget and strategic plan

• Focus is “knowing”

• Guiding PrincipalWe must close the knowing-doing loopWhat we measure, we manage - What we don’t measure, manages us

Functional Requirements for “Doing”

• Manage the assets not the asset management systemTrue Cross-Platform

• Feature equivalence not a simple accommodationCentralized Server Infrastructure

• Reduce cost by capitalizing on robust network infrastructure

• Operating system and deployment optionsSimple implementation and on-going deployment

• Increase support agility – reduce imaging and on-site supportPatch ManagementSoftware UpdatesInstall/”push” new software

• Role-based access to asset information• School-based access (technicians) and enterprise access (managers)

Functional Requirements for “Knowing”

• Detailed profile of hardware inventoryLifecycle ManagementInform the budget processAnnual state reporting (E-Rate)Readiness and capacity planningReconciling hardware deployment with application requirements

• Detailed profile of software deploymentLicense ComplianceStandards and Security Assurance

• Patch Management

• Prohibit the use of software not necessary to meet objectivesLifecycle Management

• Utilization

• Compatibility

Functional Requirements – Flexibility/Extensibility

One size doesn’t fit all but we need to provision for all sizes

Feeding the System – Update Business Processes

• ProcurementRequire computer profile formECM Workflow

• DeploymentPopulate custom fields

• MaintenanceAutomated data re-population

following imaging

LPS’ Many Sizes – “Could you just tell me…”

Capacity Planning and Life-Cycle Management

Software Compliance – Hammer or Gavel?

What We’ve Done and What We Know

• Proof-of-ConceptDeployed server software in a virtualized environmentDeployed agent to all computersCompleted deployment in approximately 3 weeks

• Concept-to-PracticeServer Infrastructure

• Inventory Server, Software Distribution Server, License Monitoring Server (Windows Blades)

• Software Data Warehouse (Mac Pro)Installed on 1,700 laptops over the last two yearsProvided departments/buildings with fleet profilesPrepared for new state test (NeSA)Tracking utilization of new computersTracking compliance with guidelines for staff mobile computers

Due Respect to Thomas Friedman…the World Isn’t Flat

Now that we know the world is round…We have reconciled software licensing with deploymentWe understand the capacity of our fleet in the context of changing

functional requirements and changes in OS landscapeWe have removed the burden of asset management from our instructional

technology leaders, recovering 250+ hours of instructional time annuallyWe are saving over 200 hours of annual Computing Services staff time

associated with compiling asset reports Auditable reports to LPS departments, executive management, Board of

Education and the Nebraska Department of Education We spend our time analyzing data rather than gathering it or wishing that

we could

Thank you

Kirk Langer

Director of Technology

Lincoln Public Schools

Peter Frankl

Vice President, Asset Management Sales

Absolute Software

Getting a Grasp on Computer Assets to Deliver Maximum Cost Efficiency

Using Absolute Manage

Absolute Software: Products

BIOS-embedded computer tracking, data protection and managed theft recovery

Cross-platform computer lifecycle management

Managed computer theft recovery and data protection for home computers

Absolute Manage: The Power of Enterprise

Intelligent.Track installed applications and licenses, and redeploy under-used licenses to maximize inventory and avoid non-compliance fines. Find, terminate, and remove unlicensed and unauthorized software.

Automated.Efficiently manage all of your assets by automating time-consuming IT processes such as software distribution, patch management, and imaging.

Cross Platform.Enjoy ease of use and full cross-platform capabilities using a single console to manage all PC and Mac devices in your deployment.

Absolute Manage: Feature Categories

Absolute Manage: Features

Applications & LicensesTrack and intelligently manage applications and licenses. Remove unlicensed and unauthorized software. Repackage software installations and deploy software in native installer formats.

Change & ConfigurationRemotely monitor and control devices. Filter and group systems and configurations based on OS and business function. Security Content Automation Protocol report.

Automated PatchCentrally manage and install patches. Track and report on patch status for all managed systems. Execute a single OS install.

Computer ImagingSingle automated process to install a complete OS plus all standard apps onto Mac devices. Deploy a disk image to a computer while it’s in use. Easily edit the disk images created.

Power ManagementCustomized power management policies based on user behavior and work schedules. Leverage existing rebates and tax savings. Run detailed reports and analyze data generated by the policy.

Asset InventoryGather hundreds of hardware and software data points for analysis. Display data with custom views, searches and reports. Integrate data into third-party applications.

Absolute Manage: Installed Software

Absolute Manage: Automated Patch

Absolute Manage: Power Management

Absolute Manage: Power Usage Reports

InternetInternet

HeadquartersHeadquarters

Building 2Building 2

Home office / Home office / Traveling employeeTraveling employee

BuildingBuilding11

Building 3Building 3

Absolute Manage in the Distributed Enterprise

Third Party Integrations

29

Export Mac inventory data into Microsoft SMS / SCCM

Enhance trouble tickets with:• Asset information• One-click remote control

Thanks!

For more information on how to track, manage & protect your digital world, contact Absolute Software

Toll-Free: 1 800 220 0733 (US & Canada)Website: www.absolute.comEvaluate Absolute Manage: www.absolute.com/products/evaluate

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