* Taking a look at ENGL Imaging Toolkit
ZENworks, in general, and Martin Buckley in particular (he’s director, product management of Novell’s Identity Products Business Team but best known as the “ZENworks guru”) seem to be playing an inordinate role in this newsletter lately. But as I was searching for some information on Buckley (well, OK, I was trying to dig up some dirt) I came across this quote from him:
ZENworks, in general, and Martin Buckley in particular (he’s director, product management of Novell’s Identity Products Business Team but best known as the “ZENworks guru”) seem to be playing an inordinate role in this newsletter lately. But as I was searching for some information on Buckley (well, OK, I was trying to dig up some dirt) I came across this quote from him:
“ENGL Imaging Toolkit provides tight integration into ZENworks Desktop Management and enhances ZENworks Imaging by adding additional security, flexibility and control; it really helps organizations minimize the risks, time and the costs associated with Windows 2000 and XP deployments.”
Now I wasn’t familiar with the ENGL Imaging Toolkit, didn’t know what ENGL was in fact, but if Buckley likes it then it deserves attention. Turns out ENGL stands for Expert Networking Group Limited, a U.K. organization, which in its own words: “[specializes] in implementing Novell’s market leading Directory Services.” It sounds as if ENGL is worth investigating.
Another British friend (who’s been named in these august pages before but wishes to be anonymous now) also spoke up and said that he used ENGL’s products and worked with its consultants and found them to be very good at what they do. So what does the ENGL Imaging Toolkit do?
It’s self-described as “a turnkey solution that enhances ZENworks imaging and the automated deployment of Windows 2000/XP Professional desktops and laptops,” and actually consists of three separate ENGL products bundled together: ENGL Zim 4.0, ENGL Ztoolkit 4.0 and ENGL Zwake 2.5. So what do they do?
ENGL Zim 4.0 extends ZENworks for Desktops imaging by simplifying selection, creation and restoration of images leveraged through eDirectory security. This can simplify ZENworks imaging – and reduce training costs. Complex scripting can be hidden behind user-friendly imaging menus. Additionally, the imaging environment can be secured by an eDirectory login panel and imaging menus can be displayed based on eDirectory identity and group membership.
ENGL Ztoolkit 4.0 simplifies and automates the deployment of a customized Windows 2000 (or XP) Professional build while leveraging ZENworks’ imaging and application distribution. Using Ztoolkit 4.0 you can create customizable, automated and easily maintainable images without advanced Windows deployment experience.
ENGL Zwake 2.5 includes multiple schedules that can be defined with a set of configurable tasks, multiple targets using Workstation and Workstation Group object association, and multiple tasks that can be performed on all workstation targets with a configurable task and target interval.
Put them together and you’ve really got an easy to use but more secure way of deploying Windows desktops across your organization. Check out ENGL for yourself, register for a free evaluation version and see if easier deployment is something you can use.
