Apple updates Apple Remote Desktop

Apple today announced Apple Remote Desktop version 1.2, the easiest way to manage and support networks of Mac desktops and portables.

With Apple Remote Desktop software, network administrators can efficiently distribute and install software, copy files, gather asset management information and remotely control system settings overthe network. Teachers can remotely control and interact with a student’s computer and easily provide personalized assistance directly to a student’s screen. Apple Remote Desktop v.1.2 includespowerful new features such as Remote Software Installation and Remote Network Startup Disk. Apple Remote Desktop simplifies desktop administration, enabling classroom teachers and networkadministrators to maximize the use of their Macs and minimize administration costs.

“With two full time staff we support 2,200 users and manage a combination of approximately 600 wired and wireless Macs located across five buildings with Apple Remote Desktop,” said Eric Hackl, network manager for the Winnetka Public Schools in Winnetka, Illinois. “We install software on our Macs across town without having to leave our office, and network-wide installs that used to take days or weeks are now done in minutes, saving us time and our district money.”

New features in Apple Remote Desktop v.1.2 include:

• Remote Software Installation to remotely install new software to groups of Macs simultaneously over a network;
• Remote Network Startup Disk to set any number of Mac® OS X clients to start up from specified NetBoot or Network Install disk images on a remote server;
• Automatic Update for upgrading Apple Remote Desktop clients automatically over the network; and
• enhanced security including encrypted control and KeyChain® support to protect passwords and private data.

Pricing & Availability
Apple Remote Desktop v.1.2 is available now through The Apple Store® (http://www.apple.com/), at Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $299 (US) for the 10-client edition and $499 (US) for the unlimited client version. Education pricing begins at $149 (US) for the 10-client edition and $299 (US) for the unlimited client version. Apple Remote Desktop v.1.2 is available as a free update to existing Apple Remote Desktop customers via Software Update. The administration and client system for Apple Remote Desktop is designed to run on all Power Mac® G4 and Power Macintosh G3 computers, including PowerBook G4, PowerBook® G3, eMacâ„¢, iMac®, Xserveâ„¢ and iBook® and requires either an Ethernet, AirPort® or AirPort Extreme network connection. The administration system runs on Mac OS X version 10.1, or later, and the client version supports Mac OS 8.1 through Mac OS 9.2, and Mac OS X v10.1 and later.