Your IT system is an ever changing landscape: computer asset upgrades and management, operating system and application licensing, updates and migrations, security patches, disaster recovery, user management, help desk support, and more. Budget constraints can lead to system failures and downtime in any of these areas, affecting top line revenue.
The solution to resource constraints? Provide the IT support team tools that automate repetitive tasks so they can cover more ground with less effort!
IT Works dramatically improves the efficiency and the reduction of costs for deployment, maintenance, support, and migration for your servers and end point computers. IT Works enables you to do all this and more:
Quickly and efficiently deploy and migrate hardware, OS and applications
Fully automate builds, software distribution and disaster recovery
Enhanced remote support and management
Automated patch deployment and maintenance
Bulletproof security and disaster recovery
Increase efficiency and reduce variability across all control platforms
At the core of IT Works sits the Hierarchical Inheritance Model, making it easier to manage computers and deploy software. Administrators can deploy operating systems, applications, configuration updates simply by dragging and dropping the software or customization package on the desired branch of the tree. All computers within the branch will automatically inherit the change unless otherwise noted. The administrator has instant visibility into the equipment configurations and software installed on each system.
Schedule software deployments for nighttime hours and end worker downtime
Optimize configurations and settings on desktops for peak performance
Reduce the time required to complete installation or migration
Migration of Operating Systems & Applications
Get the flexibility and simplicity you need to immediately deploy or migrate to new OS and other new technologies
Save administrator's time and focus so that they can invest it elsewhere
Eliminate end user downtime and inconvenience normally associated with migrations
Asset Inventory Management
Reduce planning, audit, and management of service agreements and software licensing with accurate asset inventories
Reduce the time needed to inventory and analyze IT assets
Improve the accuracy of asset inventories
Gain environment stability
Eliminate the risk of dependence on one or two key individuals
Automated Hardware Additions & Replacements
Quickly and easily bring new computers online by using the Inheritance Model to replicate the desired software and configurations already in use
Add user specific menus
Reduce administrative time and cost for initial setup and installation
Ramp up end users to productivity quickly and with a process familiar throughout the organization
Remote Control & Remote Management
Reduce desktop problems with IT Works desktop Lockdown and Remote Management
Troubleshoot problems from any point on the network
Reduce or eliminate administrative travel time and costs
Eliminate interruption to end users for problem identification and resolution
Smart Packaging
An IT Works Package is a complete set of instructions, including the software installation executable file, and all necessary configuration settings required to install software on a computer unattended
Packaged software can be deployed on a variety of systems
Smart packaging is superior to “disk imaging” which only copies a static image but does not provide a customized installation
"Walk Up & Use" Desktops
Gain flexibility when end users can work from any point on the network, without taking their computers with them
Ensure consistent services and behavior from all network computers regardless of physical location
Enhanced Security administration
Automate the installation of operating systems, hardware components, and software applications to stay current with patches and enhancements
Grant only “Read and Execute” access to the file system and computer registry
Create a consistent user environment throughout the organization with embedded policies and permissions
Policies can add additional features including the ability to limit access to certain system areas like the control panel, and how application settings have been configured, e.g., default user path for saving documents
Disaster Recovery
Enhance end user confidence in the integrity of their applications and data
Eliminate end user downtime due to desktop repair or replacement
Save administrators time troubleshooting or rebuilding failed desktops
Integrated Help Desk
Greatly reduce the time spent to document and track end user calls and requests
Improve IT service to end users when problems do occur
Improve IT communications with end users for a more satisfied user community
Improve productivity of administrators and end users for reduced costs
Interface with popular help desk systems
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is an IT Works “package”?
An IT Works Package
is a complete set of instructions, including
the software installation executable and all
necessary configuration settings, required to install software on a
computer.
Should I “package” all
my software for IT Works?
Yes. Packaging software will enable you
to deploy software to a variety of computers
and ensure that all software installations are configured properly.
Who creates the “packages”?
SMT has a portfolio of software applications that are already packaged. For software
that is not pre-packaged, packages can be created either by the IT Works administrator
or SMT.
What Technical certifications are
required?
IT Works does not require certification.
IT Works is designed so that users
with varying degrees of experience can be productive
team members. The integrated nature of IT
Works allows new IT staff members
to add value to the organization sooner and
with less training.
Is IT Works only for large companies?
IT Works delivers value to any size company.
The ability to streamline the support operations is always useful.
In either a large or small organization, the IT support staff always
seem to have more than enough to do.
How many computers can be managed?
IT Works will support any
number of networked computers. Both large and
small deployments will realize a significant
ROI.
Will IT Works save
me money or time?
IT Works allows the IT support staff
to perform more tasks efficiently and significantly reduce support
requests from end users saving both time and money. Less problems to
resolve and the problems that do occur are resolved more quickly.
What operating systems are supported
by IT Works?
Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows 8.1/8, Microsoft
7. IT Works supports Microsoft Active Directory,
Network Operating System (NOS), Microsoft Windows .NET.
What software applications are supported
by IT Works?
Any windows based software including operating system
drivers.
Why does SMT suggest a “lockdown” security
model?
To restrict end users from making unintentional system
changes or installing software and unknowingly create a support call.
How do I deploy a single application
to one or many computers?
Using the ManagER interface, the IT Works administrator,
right clicks on a computer, drag the software package(s) to the desired
computer and select Deploy. In minutes the software will be deployed
to the selected computer or groups of computers.
Why is the inheritance feature beneficial?
Software can be deployed to a group, e.g., Active Directory
Organizational Unit (OU) and all member computers of the OU will be
configured with the specific software. With IT Works, building
and deploying a Common Operating Environment (COE) is as simple as
dragging and dropping application packages.
Is disaster recovery important?
What will you do when a hard disk fails? Replace the
drive and rebuild the system? But what software was installed on the
failed disk drive? With IT Works simply boot the system using PXE or
a boot CD, IT Works will recognize the system and rebuild in a matter
of minutes to the exact configuration as before the failure.
Can a remote helpdesk center use IT
Works to support our users?
Yes, your remote Help Desk staff can do many of the
routine support tasks including deployment of software to remote locations.
Why is IT Works better
than a disk image or cloning technologies?
IT Works is a complete solution for system
deployments, software delivery, disaster recovery, remote management,
system lock-down and more - in one single software solution. IT Works
installs the software “native” to a machine so the software
is configured specifically for that hardware and that user. Image technology
will deploy a single snapshot or image of a system configuration and
copy that same image to multiple computers. A disk image that is copied
onto another computer does not allow for any hardware or configuration
difference so the system will not deliver optimum performance. If changes
are made to the configuration, then a new disk image must be deployed.
How many computers can be managed
by a single management station?
IT Works can manage an unlimited number of computers.
Can users change the system configuration
or install software?
We recommend that all customers use the lock-down security
model so that a user has only user access to the system. Lock-down
eliminates users from installing software or making system changes
that require a support call.
How are updates applied to computers?
How about remote computers?
IT Works uses an internal process called SystemSync.
On a scheduled (by the administrator) or ad hoc basis each computer
will connect to the IT Works database and automatically self-update
with any newly authorized software or system configuration.
Are mobile users supported with IT
Works?
Yes, IT Works support mobile users, servers, and desktop
systems. Bandwidth constrained computers can be managed with a CD-ROM/DVD/USB
drive. Many choices are available and IT Works can adapt to meet your
specific requirements.
Product Demonstration Videos
Please note these videos show the some of the capabilities of the IT Works suite, namely the automated build of a sample system. They are presented at 10x normal speed.
WAN (Remotely Managed) builds are performed securely over the Internet by using HTTPS/SSL and OpenVPN.
Windows 10 Remote Build
IT Works is used to perform a complete build of a Windows 10 Workstation, remotely over the internet using HTTPS and OpenVPN. The computer is booted into a custom WinPE environment which will validate the computer build via HTTPS and build the computer over OpenVPN. This video shows the Windows install, Installing Office 2013 from a customer DVD, Office 2013 SP1 via HTTP download from Microsoft, all customer applications, and customizing for the customer.
Computer is configured in Architecter for Windows 10, Office 2013 and Other Applications.
Identified by the MAC Address
License Keys for software are assigned
Computer state is set to Build
Booting from DVD.
The WinPE Boot environment determines the State of the computers and starts the build process if instructed by the State value.
Starting the Build Process
Initiate the Build
Formatting the drive
Install Operating System from DVD
Reboot
First Logon Phase
Load the IT Works client agent and local tools
Setup the Auto Logon Account
Add Auto Run for the System Build and other processes (OpenVPN, MSRA, etc.).
Reboot
Build Phase
Scan through the assigned application and management processes and execute the items designated for the selected computer based on a variety of indicators.
User is prompted for source (CD/DVD, etc) for Microsoft Office and other software as needed.
Software is copied from IT Works Servers as needed.
Software is downloaded via HTTP from vendor web sites as needed.
Clean Up Phase
Remove all the Auto Run entries.
Remove the Auto Logon entries.
Remove build scripts.
Reboot for final settings implementation.
Complete
Windows 7 Remote Build
IT Works is used to perform a complete build of a Windows 7 Workstation, remotely over the internet using HTTPS and OpenVPN. The computer is booted into a custom WinPE environment which will validate the computer build via HTTPS and build the computer over OpenVPN. This video shows the Windows install, Installing Office 2013 from a customer DVD, Office 2013 SP1 via HTTP download from Microsoft, all customer applications, and customizing for the customer.
Computer is configured in Architecter for Windows 7, Office 2013 and Other Applications.
Identified by the MAC Address
License Keys for software are assigned
Computer state is set to Build
Booting from DVD.
The WinPE Boot environment determines the State of the computers and starts the build process if instructed by the State value.
Starting the Build Process
Initiate the Build
Formatting the drive
Install Operating System from DVD
Reboot
First Logon Phase
Load the IT Works client agent and local tools
Setup the Auto Logon Account
Add Auto Run for the System Build and other processes (OpenVPN, MSRA, etc.).
Reboot
Build Phase
Scan through the assigned application and management processes and execute the items designated for the selected computer based on a variety of indicators.
User is prompted for source (CD/DVD, etc) for Microsoft Office and other software as needed.
Software is copied from IT Works Servers as needed.
Software is downloaded via HTTP from vendor web sites as needed.
Clean Up Phase
Remove all the Auto Run entries.
Remove the Auto Logon entries.
Remove build scripts.
Reboot for final settings implementation.
Complete
Windows 8.1 Remote Build
IT Works is used to perform a complete build of a Windows 8.1 Workstation, remotely over the internet using HTTPS and OpenVPN. The computer is booted into a custom WinPE environment which will validate the computer build via HTTPS and build the computer over OpenVPN. This video shows the Windows install, Installing Office 2013 from a customer DVD, Office 2013 SP1 via HTTP download from Microsoft, all customer applications, and customizing for the customer.
Computer is configured in Architecter for Windows 8.1, Office 2013 and Other Applications.
Identified by the MAC Address
License Keys for software are assigned
Computer state is set to Build
Booting from DVD.
The WinPE Boot environment determines the State of the computers and starts the build process if instructed by the State value.
Starting the Build Process
Initiate the Build
Formatting the drive
Install Operating System from DVD
Reboot
First Logon Phase
Load the IT Works client agent and local tools
Setup the Auto Logon Account
Add Auto Run for the System Build and other processes (OpenVPN, MSRA, etc.).
Reboot
Build Phase
Scan through the assigned application and management processes and execute the items designated for the selected computer based on a variety of indicators.
User is prompted for source (CD/DVD, etc) for Microsoft Office and other software as needed.
Software is copied from IT Works Servers as needed.
Software is downloaded via HTTP from vendor web sites as needed.
Clean Up Phase
Remove all the Auto Run entries.
Remove the Auto Logon entries.
Remove build scripts.
Reboot for final settings implementation.
Complete
LAN builds are performed over the Local Area Networks.
Windows 10 LAN Build (PXE Boot)
IT Works is used to perform a complete build of a Windows 10 Workstation. The computer is booted into a custom WinPE environment which will validate the computer build and build the computer. This video shows the Windows install, Installing Office 2013, Office 2013 SP1, all customer applications, and customizing for the customer.
Computer is configured in Architecter for Windows 10, Office 2013 and Other Applications.
Identified by the MAC Address
License Keys for software are assigned
Computer state is set to Build
Booting from PXE: The PXE Service communicates with our server to determine the state.
The WinPE Boot environment determines the State of the computers and starts the build process if instructed by the State value.
Starting the Build Process
Initiate the Build
Formatting the drive
Install Operating System from a local server
Reboot
First Logon Phase
Load the IT Works client agent and local tools
Setup the Auto Logon Account
Add Auto Run for the System Build and other processes (MSRA, etc.).
Reboot
Build Phase
Scan through the assigned application and management processes and execute the items designated for the selected computer based on a variety of indicators.
User is NEVER prompted for source (CD/DVD, etc).
Software is copied from IT Works Servers Only.
Clean Up Phase
Remove all the Auto Run entries.
Remove the Auto Logon entries.
Remove build scripts.
Reboot for final settings implementation.
Complete
Windows 7 LAN Build (PXE Boot)
IT Works is used to perform a complete build of a Windows 7 Workstation. The computer is booted into a custom WinPE environment, via PXE, which will validate the computer build and build the computer. This video shows the Windows install, Installing Office 2013, Office 2013 SP1, all customer applications, and customizing for the customer.
Computer is configured in Architecter for Windows 7, Office 2013 and Other Applications.
Identified by the MAC Address
License Keys for software are assigned
Computer state is set to Build
Booting from PXE: The PXE Service communicates with our server to determine the state.
The WinPE Boot environment determines the State of the computers and starts the build process if instructed by the State value.
Starting the Build Process
Initiate the Build
Formatting the drive
Install Operating System from a local server
Reboot
First Logon Phase
Load the IT Works client agent and local tools
Setup the Auto Logon Account
Add Auto Run for the System Build and other processes (MSRA, etc.).
Reboot
Build Phase
Scan through the assigned application and management processes and execute the items designated for the selected computer based on a variety of indicators.
User is NEVER prompted for source (CD/DVD, etc).
Software is copied from IT Works Servers Only.
Clean Up Phase
Remove all the Auto Run entries.
Remove the Auto Logon entries.
Remove build scripts.
Reboot for final settings implementation.
Complete
Windows 8.1 LAN Build
IT Works is used to perform a complete build of a Windows 8.1 Workstation. The computer is booted into a custom WinPE environment which will validate the computer build and build the computer. This video shows the Windows install, Installing Office 2013, Office 2013 SP1, all customer applications, and customizing for the customer.
Computer is configured in Architecter for Windows 8.1, Office 2013 and Other Applications.
Identified by the MAC Address
License Keys for software are assigned
Computer state is set to Build
Booting from PXE: The PXE Service communicates with our server to determine the state.
The WinPE Boot environment determines the State of the computers and starts the build process if instructed by the State value.
Starting the Build Process
Initiate the Build
Formatting the drive
Install Operating System from a local server
Reboot
First Logon Phase
Load the IT Works client agent and local tools
Setup the Auto Logon Account
Add Auto Run for the System Build and other processes (MSRA, etc.).
Reboot
Build Phase
Scan through the assigned application and management processes and execute the items designated for the selected computer based on a variety of indicators.
User is NEVER prompted for source (CD/DVD, etc).
Software is copied from IT Works Servers Only.
Clean Up Phase
Remove all the Auto Run entries.
Remove the Auto Logon entries.
Remove build scripts.
Reboot for final settings implementation.
Complete
Windows Server Custom Automated Builds
Windows Server 2008
LAN Build (PXE Boot)
IT Works is used to perform a complete build of a Windows Server 2008. The computer is booted into a custom WinPE environment which will validate the computer build and build the computer. This video shows the Windows Server install, Component Installation, all customer applications, and customizing for the customer.
Server is configured in Architecter for Windows 2012 R2, Components and Other Applications.
Identified by the MAC Address
License Keys for software are assigned
Computer state is set to Build
Booting from PXE: The PXE Service communicates with our server to determine the state.
The WinPE Boot environment determines the State of the computers and starts the build process if instructed by the State value.
Starting the Build Process
Initiate the Build
Formatting the drive
Install Operating System from a local server
Reboot
First Logon Phase
Load the IT Works client agent and local tools
Setup the Auto Logon Account
Add Auto Run for the System Build and other processes (MSRA, etc.).
Reboot
Build Phase
Scan through the assigned application and management processes and execute the items designated for the selected computer based on a variety of indicators.
User is NEVER prompted for source (CD/DVD, etc).
Software is copied from IT Works Servers Only.
Software ...
.NET Runtime 3.5
.NET Runtime 4.0
Internet Information Server (IIS)
Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP4
WinZip
Beyond Compare
Clean Up Phase
Remove all the Auto Run entries.
Remove the Auto Logon entries.
Remove build scripts.
Reboot for final settings implementation.
Complete
Windows Server 2012 R2
LAN Build (PXE Boot)
IT Works is used to perform a complete build of a Windows Server 2012 R2. The computer is booted into a custom WinPE environment which will validate the computer build and build the computer. This video shows the Windows Server install, Component Installation, all customer applications, and customizing for the customer.
Server is configured in Architecter for Windows 2012 R2, Components and Other Applications.
Identified by the MAC Address
License Keys for software are assigned
Computer state is set to Build
Booting from PXE: The PXE Service communicates with our server to determine the state.
The WinPE Boot environment determines the State of the computers and starts the build process if instructed by the State value.
Starting the Build Process
Initiate the Build
Formatting the drive
Install Operating System from a local server
Reboot
First Logon Phase
Load the IT Works client agent and local tools
Setup the Auto Logon Account
Add Auto Run for the System Build and other processes (MSRA, etc.).
Reboot
Build Phase
Scan through the assigned application and management processes and execute the items designated for the selected computer based on a variety of indicators.
Your IT system is an ever changing landscape: computer asset upgrades and management, operating system and application licensing, updates and migrations, security patches, disaster recovery, user management, help desk support, and more. Budget constraints can lead to system failures and downtime in any of these areas, affecting top line revenue.
