* More tools for managing Windows Group Policy
I met Darren Mar-Elia when he was CTO at Quest Software handling the company’s Windows Management products. He then went to DesktopStandard, another Windows management provider, which was recently acquired by Microsoft. There he concentrated on Group Policy management. Well, “concentrated” might be too weak a term, some might say “obsessed” on it. So much so, in fact, that he created, and still maintains, the GPOGUY site, a self-styled “Windows Group Policy information hub.” It’s a place to find out more than you ever wanted to know (but not more than you should know) about Windows Group policy.
Like many seemingly obsessed hobbyists, Mar-Elia has now decided to take the hobby and make it a commercial success, so he’s launched SDM Software, focused on providing products for managing Windows Group Policy technology.
The products will be marketed under the GPexpert name, and the first module is now available. GPhealth Reporter collects information from a variety of sources on a target system and presents it to you in a concise format, with an easily viewed “red or green” health status to quickly inform you if all is well. Any problems are highlighted and may be clicked-thru for more information on the problem.
Among the key features of GPhealth Reporter are:
* Delivers key information like Group Policy processing time, slow link and loopback status, and other computer and user details.
* Provides RSOP and Group Policy Settings reports.
* Allows status information to be sent to a printer, Excel spreadsheet or PDF file.
* Supports remote gathering against Windows XP, Windows 2003 and Windows Vista.
Priced at $75 per named administrative user (with quantity discounts available), this is a useful tool in the network manager’s toolbox. Group Policy can untangle many management headaches, but only if your system is healthy and working as you want it to. GPhealth Reporter can give you peace of mind.
You can download a free evaluation version by registering here so that you can see for yourself how your network can benefit from a healthy Group Policy implementation.
