Alternatives to PCE

[CapnPugwash]

we are currently using PCE (from Future Digital) to monitor computer mis/use.

 

We are developing an RDS server farm so that we can utilise thin clients AND provide at-home network access to staff/students.

 

Our RDS farm is all Server 2012, PCE doesn't support Server 2012 - can anyone recommend similar products for monitoring?

[Michael]

I've started to use NetSupport DNA and it should work fine on 2012 Server.

[CapnPugwash]

I've started to use NetSupport DNA and it should work fine on 2012 Server.

 

Are your child welfare / e-safety people happy with it? Any idea how it compares to PCE functionality wise?

[karldenton]

We use NetSupport DNA and can highly recommend it. Provides excellent e-safety management of keywords, and e-safety alerts / reports. Easy to setup and support from the team is excellent. Runs fine on Server 2012.

[itwasntme]

We were using impero for quite a while but have recently switched over to NetSupport DNA which has been a vast improvement. karldenton, above, pretty much nailed it

[RichCowell]

we are currently using PCE (from Future Digital) to monitor computer mis/use.

 

We are developing an RDS server farm so that we can utilise thin clients AND provide at-home network access to staff/students.

 

Our RDS farm is all Server 2012, PCE doesn't support Server 2012 - can anyone recommend similar products for monitoring?

 

I've used Impero for 5+ years now, including on our Terminal Servers for remote access, and can't fault it... Don't know anything about PCE really, and never seen it so can't compare, but more than happy with Impero here...

[CHR1S]

Just moved from PCE to Impero, much much better experience for us. PCE was a dog!

[Michael]

Are your child welfare / e-safety people happy with it? Any idea how it compares to PCE functionality wise?

 

Yes the interface is well designed and it gives lots of useful information. Obviously with any new system there's a learning curve, but it does a lot more than PCE and doesn't have ridiculous prerequisites - install the MSI on any compatible OS and you're good to go.

[Michael]

I should also note it's vastly cheaper than PCE in your subsequent years - Year 2, Year 3 onwards. PCE was a high static price every year.

 

I am kind of surprised PCE doesn't work on 2012 Server, yet it sort of works on Windows 10. Doesn't really make any sense!? The ultimate advantage is your can kiss Java goodbye!

[CapnPugwash]

I should also note it's vastly cheaper than PCE in your subsequent years - Year 2, Year 3 onwards. PCE was a high static price every year.

 

I am kind of surprised PCE doesn't work on 2012 Server, yet it sort of works on Windows 10. Doesn't really make any sense!? The ultimate advantage is your can kiss Java goodbye!

 

Personally I do find PCE to be a bit weird. I don't like the prerequisites. If we didn't use PCE, Java would be on *almost* no machines on our network.

 

The child welfare people do like it but... they always go about it being the ONLY monitoring software that ticks every Ofsted box for monitoring.

 

That sounds a bit far fetched to me but I could be wrong & am happy to be corrected. NOTE : No one from PCE (or anywhere else) has ever made this claim for PCE, it is our staff who have expressed this opinion. Are they misguide / misinformed? Or is there some truth to it?

[LukeC]

We too have just moved from PCE to Netsupport DNA. I have to say the team the supports the product are fantastic and problems are resolved we have had a few since installed but a fix has been available with in a day or 2. It is capturing more genuine esafety incidents as well which PCE hasnt detected.

[Michael]

In summary, they're mis-guided. I'm pretty sure if you contact NetSupport, they'll give you all the details as to what standards/requirements they're adhering to, most likely guidance provided from the DfE.

 

You'll find it's some LAs who have 'recommended' PCE, but as we all know, it doesn't mean the LA are right it's just their recommendation. As an LA based school, an Academy or a MAT, the onus is on the school to decide what system(s) you use for Safeguarding. No where does it say in Ofsted material you must use PCE, but you must demonstrate you're implementing Safeguarding measures as required by the DfE.

[CapnPugwash]

We too have just moved from PCE to Netsupport DNA. I have to say the team the supports the product are fantastic and problems are resolved we have had a few since installed but a fix has been available with in a day or 2. It is capturing more genuine esafety incidents as well which PCE hasnt detected.

 

Without getting too specific, could you give a little more explanation for " It is capturing more genuine esafety incidents as well which PCE hasnt detected" ?

[LukeC]

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