LANDesk integrates anti-virus tools

The latest edition of the LANDesk network management suite, version 8.7, features integrated antivirus tools for the first time, and is designed to support any large-scale migration to the forthcoming Windows Vista operating system.

Microsoft is due to integrate its own antivirus tools into Vista, due for release later this year. Meanwhile, low-cost antivirus clients are already widely available from various software vendors.

However, the ability to use a single central console to scan for and remove viruses from PCs attached to the network can save administrators time and money by getting rid of multiple security clients, LANDesk said.

“The antivirus engine market has largely become commoditised and our customers are asking us to use our management expertise and build it into our suite solution,” said Dave R Taylor, vice-president of worldwide marketing for LANDesk Software.

Version 8.7 of the network management suite can also quarantine and encrypt suspicious files that cannot be cleaned, and supports the new Microsoft WIM Ximage disk imaging technology designed to assist the deployment of Windows clients over the network.

New platforms supported include Windows Mobile 5, Wyse S30, 3125 SE, Neoware e100, e500, Capio One, HP T5520, and Teklogix 753.