Netsupport Protect

[FN-GM]

Hello

Just been looking at Netsupport Protect at http://www.netsupportprotect.com/ & http://www.netsupportsoftware.com/re...uk_bro_web.pdf Is this product the same as ranger becuase Netsupport own them don't they? Also there isnt much that it does that grop policy can't do. So why buy it?

[Ric_]

erm no, no and no. Dunno?

[rdhawkins]

There is some overlap with group policy's but not everyone uses them and there is also some things that Protect offers that group policy's don't. One of the nice things with Protect is that it integrates with NetSupport School. You can turn off the restrictions on the fly when the Tutor views the Student. Handy if you want to make changes or show them something which would otherwise be restricted by group policy settings.

We don't 'own' Sentinel (developers of the Ranger suite) RM do, they OEM NetSupport School to use as part of their product.

Rob

[FN-GM]

ok at the CLC we used to use a product called ranger to monitor the kids, why does it have the same logo as netsupport and why does netsupport pickup ranger clients?

[rdhawkins]

One of the components of the Ranger Suite is their Range Remote Control which is what you must have been using to monitor the kids.

Sentinel buy this from us and stick their own branding and name on it (refered to as an 'OEM'). Thats why NetSupport picks up Ranger clients as its own.

Just to add to the confusion RM also OEM our NetSupport School and sell it as part of their Community Connect product as RM Tutor3. RM now own Sentinel but keep the two products seperate.

[FN-GM]

right i think i get it

[ChrisP]

Throw in application level activity logging; ala Winsuite and I would buy it!

[rdhawkins]

Ahh, ChrisP, you want NetSupport DNA for that

[ChrisP]

err, I thought that was a helpdesk ?

In the winsuite logs you can see a timeline of exactly what the little buggers were up to.

9:01 - log on
9:02 - Open Excel ( to fake the teacher )
9:02 - Open Explorer
9:02 - Open Word Document "z:\dont delete me\secret-list-of-games-sites.doc"
9:02 - Surf for "games"
9:02 - Surf for "mebo"
9:03 - Surf for "bebo"
9:03 - Surf for "proxy"
9:03 - Surf for "50 cent"
9:03 - Surf for "lolball"
9:04 - Surf for "bypass scool filter"
9:05 - Surf for "kill network manager"
9:06 - Pick keys off keyboard.
9:06 - Pull powercord from PC.
9:06 - Chew through mouse cable.

ETC, till the end of a lesson.

[rdhawkins]

NetSupport DNA is a enterprise management package along the lines of Microsoft's SMS. It does application and internet metering to a central database so you can produce reports like you listed.

It isn't typically used in education but I know some people on here are using it.

We do also have a Helpdesk product called NetSupport HelpDesk (surprise, surprise) this is a web based system for logging support calls.

However NSS does keep (and now automatically saves) application and internet history but it doesn't combine the information to give you a single log.

[snrweb]

@rdhawkins

What's the cheapest method for a secondary school to buy NSS?

1. as NSS
2. as Ranger Remote Control
3. as RM Tutor 3

Somehow i doubt it's option 3 lol!

[russdev]

lol all you want but if got RM CC3 network then option 3 is cheapest solution as I did look into it got quotes from nss and from rm. RM came out cheaper.

But on serious note to get option two need an ranger network and to get option 3 guess what need rm network.

Hence why they are called OEM's so your only option is option 1.


Russ

[rdhawkins]

Although not involved in sales and pricing personally it makes sense that option 1 would be cheaper as all you are buying is NSS.

Best bet would be to call one of sales people to get a quote.

[snrweb]

You don't need to be on a Ranger network to buy/use Ranger Remote Control. I know many sites that just use Ranger Remote Control and not the other Ranger products.

I stand corrected on the RM 'lol' comment. Looking at the websites:

RM

Tutor 3 'tutor' program is £26
Tutor 3 client licence is £19

This is how they used to sell NETop (Tutor 2) with separate tutor/client prices.

Ranger Remote Control (Sentinel)

100 PC licence (any mixture of tutor/clients) = £2400

This is £24 per licence.

So, assuming 3 IT Rooms with 30 PCs each + some spare licences


RM Tutor 3 = 3 * £26 + 97 * £19 would be £1921

Ranger Remote Control would be £2400 , albeit with some flexibility on amount of Tutors/Clients.
.
Therefore, RM is £479 cheaper. Which i have to say, i am amazed at and apologise profusely.

I think also you don't have to be running a CC3 network either, although it clearly helps with deployment etc.

NETsupport don't publish a retail price on their web site so I am guessing they would not want to upset their OEM partner RM (who of course own Sentinel) and their price would be at least identical.

Whoever you buy it from, its a great product and i am glad RM saw sense and ditched NETop for it.

[russdev]

Hi

Ranger I stand corrected on as not a ranger expert....

Unfortunately you do have to rm network to buy rm version (I am lead to believe it is due to licensing deal that netsupport and rm struck so it dosn't hurt netsupports sales etc etc)

Regards

Russell