Alternatives to Impero

[timbo343]

I'd be interested to know alternatives to impero, for cost reasons. I have heard impero renewals costing just over £3000 for 12 months for 30 machines and around the same £££ for 800 machines. Something doesn't add up somehow!!

[Markopolo]

We are on 5.103

 

here are some of the issues of the top of my head

 

Log on users - This feature has never worked since we have had this (Workaround was to use MIMIC script)

MIMIC script - since v5105 the CAD! operator does not work on Login Screens so now need to manually log each computer in for exam set-ups

Server fails - at least 3 times a week the server service will stop with no useful information in the Event logs.

Corrupt log file - Not always but when the server service fails it will not start again until the current log file is deleted so a new one can be created. Very annoying as logs are lost especially when SLT require reports on web history etc

Lost configuration settings - This has happened a number of times when opening the Impero Server app and all the settings have defaulted back. (log location, groups, permissions etc all lost so need to be reconfigured again)

Lost licence. Often after the server has been restarted due to windows updates the registration information is lost so need to have the licence code reset.

Client service - On a number of teacher computers the impero client fails to start correctly.

 

Thank you,

William

 

We have most of those issues too (log on users works okay here) - and the same response from Impero. It's always going to be "the next version". Every month I have to go and sort the .ilog file out otherwise we will lose log data.

 

If you find a suitable alternative would you mind letting us know on here so we can check it out?

[ImperoMatt]

Hi All,

 

I'd just like to address a couple of the issues that have been raised in this thread.

 

I'd be interested to know alternatives to impero, for cost reasons. I have heard impero renewals costing just over £3000 for 12 months for 30 machines and around the same £££ for 800 machines. Something doesn't add up somehow!!

 

We have a couple of pricing models. There is a perpetual model where you buy the software outright and pay an amount each year for support, or subscription where you pay for the software on a yearly basis. Having said that £3000 for 30 machine on a 12 month contract doesn't sound right, we wouldn't be charging £100 per device.

 

 

We have most of those issues too (log on users works okay here) - and the same response from Impero. It's always going to be "the next version". Every month I have to go and sort the .ilog file out otherwise we will lose log data.

 

If you find a suitable alternative would you mind letting us know on here so we can check it out?

 

With regards to the iLog issue, we are working to address this in our 52xx release which is going through internal testing now. We also have an updated version of 51xx which is currently in closed beta, the feedback from the beta schools has been very positive so far and this release should resolve the stability issues which some customers were experiencing in 5105.

[timbo343]

Hi All,

 

I'd just like to address a couple of the issues that have been raised in this thread.

 

 

 

We have a couple of pricing models. There is a perpetual model where you buy the software outright and pay an amount each year for support, or subscription where you pay for the software on a yearly basis. Having said that £3000 for 30 machine on a 12 month contract doesn't sound right, we wouldn't be charging £100 per device.

 

 

 

 

With regards to the iLog issue, we are working to address this in our 52xx release which is going through internal testing now. We also have an updated version of 51xx which is currently in closed beta, the feedback from the beta schools has been very positive so far and this release should resolve the stability issues which some customers were experiencing in 5105.

 

Matt, theres a typo, sorry it should be 330 instead of 30. My bad. How does a school know if they are on perpetual or subscription based?

[ImperoMatt]

Matt, theres a typo, sorry it should be 330 instead of 30. My bad. How does a school know if they are on perpetual or subscription based?

 

If you open up the server application and check the "Licence Type" field it should say either "Full Version" or "Full Version (Leased)".

 

Full Version = Perpetual

Full Version (Leased) = Subscription

[timbo343]

so in terms of price difference, what are we talking?

 

I've just checked - I'm leased. What does this mean if i don't renew in June?

Edited November 23, 2015 by timbo343

[RichCowell]

so in terms of price difference, what are we talking?

 

I've just checked - I'm leased. What does this mean if i don't renew in June?

 

I think you start saving in about the 4th year if perpetual licences are bought - though don't quote me on that...

 

If you don't renew with leased licences you won't be able to use the software any more - never used it leased, but I'd assume as it knows how its licensed it'll just stop running...

[MrPstv]

NetSupport DNA for Education - Features summary

 

Stumbled upon the above...

I am looking for an an all in one solution if that's possible!!

We have not chewed the bullet yet as what ever we decide to purchase has to fit in with our budget and solution requirements.

[timbo343]

I think you start saving in about the 4th year if perpetual licences are bought - though don't quote me on that...

 

If you don't renew with leased licences you won't be able to use the software any more - never used it leased, but I'd assume as it knows how its licensed it'll just stop running...

 

I always thought i was perpetual, news and a shock to me that its leased!! I wonder how much it is to go back to perpetual??

[RichCowell]

I always thought i was perpetual, news and a shock to me that its leased!! I wonder how much it is to go back to perpetual??

 

Wouldn't like to comment on that - if it was me I'd ask them to take pity on me for not realising, and ask for a price to buy the licences, hoping that they wouldn't just charge the normal rate as you've been leasing already... (If you don't ask, you don't get)

[ImperoMatt]

so in terms of price difference, what are we talking?

 

I've just checked - I'm leased. What does this mean if i don't renew in June?

 

If you PM me your details I'll get your account manager to contact you.

[Roberto]

Can't comment on other solutions but I'll second the people speaking up for AB Tutor. It works fell for us...

[RichCowell]

Can't comment on other solutions but I'll second the people speaking up for AB Tutor. It works fell for us...

 

Though if you're looking for an actual e-safety solution, AB Tutor isn't the one to go for - it's classroom management with very basic keyword monitoring...

[the_quick]

We use Lanschool and it work quite well for monitoring students and remote controls for teachers. And I would probably never take over teachers machine without notification, so that is not needed.

We had impero trial few years back and it was impressive but the cost was very high, they were talking about breaking impero into modules - as we really need just the class management part.

Teachers like it and got used to it, it does crashes sometimes and if someone is already logged in, teacher app has to be closed on their account before other user can use it.

 

Tech console is very useful as well, we use it to sometime install software that would not easily go through GPO or have to be installed "now".

 

Works well for us, have not used support as yet, so can't comment on that. Cost wise, much cheaper than impero but it does not have lots of functions that impero offers. But again we would not need those.