NetSupport DNA - New version 4.5

[Al_NetSupport]

Hi all,

 

Just wanted to share that we have started providing details and screenshots of the new version of NetSupport DNA which will be released in the next few weeks.

 

I am posting updates in the current offer thread you can find here:

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/vbcms-comments/185276-article-summer-special-edugeek-members-netsupport-dna-only-3-a.html

 

But as you can see below - extended platform support for Mac, iOS and Chrome as well as extra Network Admin features are all on the menu

 

 

 

Al.

[Al_NetSupport]

As requested by a number of our users - Preventing students logging into more than one PC has also been added, you can choose if you want to prevent them logging into a second PC before they log out of the original, or alternatively, you allow them to log into the new PC and automatically log them out of the original one.

 

[Michael]

That's fantastic news Al, as it saves schools a fortune buying third party solutions!

 

On an unrelated note, is it now possible with v4.5 to separate Report Concern contacts to a specific OU within the structure, rather than the whole structure?

[Al_NetSupport]

That's fantastic news Al, as it saves schools a fortune buying third party solutions!

 

On an unrelated note, is it now possible with v4.5 to separate Report Concern contacts to a specific OU within the structure, rather than the whole structure?

 

Thanks @Michael, we are doing a complete refresh to profiles as part of 4.5, so you'll be able to create a policy for your 2015 students that manages in one summary Metering restrictions, app control, USB restrictions etc. it will mean you can have different policies for different groups of devices or users, so much more flexibility. The Safeguarding module however is scheduled for its changes in 4.6 as we didn't want to introduce too many new elements all in one go.

 

Al.

[RTi78]

Will we be able to restrict by User as well as department? e.g. restrict Internet access for a specific user regardless of which PC they login into?

 

and not sure if the email address in the first screenshot needs to be blurred

[Al_NetSupport]

Will we be able to restrict by User as well as department? e.g. restrict Internet access for a specific user regardless of which PC they login into?

 

and not sure if the email address in the first screenshot needs to be blurred

 

Hi @RTi78 thanks for the message. I did a photoshop with the email address already, so it's missing quite a bit of the detail, but thank you for the spot

 

With the new policies in 4.5 yes you can apply restrictions for Web, App and USB use to groups of devices or users, so you can have a policy for your Students and one for your Staff, or an extra one just for a specific group of students you have concerns about.

 

Hope that helps

 

Al.

[Al_NetSupport]

Our new Activity view will also arrive in version 4.5 so as well as viewing activity in specific views ( Web activity, App use etc), you can now view activity for either a Student or any activity on one or a group of PCs - all within a single consolidated Log view.

 

View activity on a PC

 

 

View Activity by a user

 

Another nice update for DNA 4.5 - #TimeToChange

[chris_uk]

 

With the new policies in 4.5 yes you can apply restrictions for Web, App and USB use to groups of devices or users, so you can have a policy for your Students and one for your Staff, or an extra one just for a specific group of students you have concerns about.

 

Hope that helps

 

Al.

 

Yay! Thanks for this Al.

 

Can I do my usual and ask for something else to be added?! Please could you add a PDF export for when you are viewing captured phrases? We email them to the appropriate person and being able to hit a button that saves it in a set place with .pdf would be great!

[Al_NetSupport]

Yay! Thanks for this Al.

 

Can I do my usual and ask for something else to be added?! Please could you add a PDF export for when you are viewing captured phrases? We email them to the appropriate person and being able to hit a button that saves it in a set place with .pdf would be great!

 

Good feedback and customer ideas make a good product, so always happy for feedback @chris_uk . As you will see, we are moving at a fair pace with development to ensure everyone who invests in NetSupport DNA gets value for money with loads of cool updates. I can see how a save to PDF woudl be handy, so i will definitely ask the elves to take a look. Probably a bit late in the day to sneak into 4.5 but will see what we can do.

 

Al.

[lewisburgess]

Hi,

These changes look really good

 

I'm excited about some of the user policy changes coming in, but without a bit of a change to how DNA works, they might be out of reach for us.

 

At the moment, we lay PCs out in DNA very differently to the AD. Office & Teacher's PCs and IT rooms are spread out amongst colleges (like a house system but bigger) so we group them together manually in DNA, meaning we can apply a single policy to each type of group - e.g. all IT rooms, all Offices, all Teaching PCs. It works well and if we laid it out in AD view, it would be very, very cumbersome to manage.

 

Unfortunately, this breaks the user side of things - they get dumped all over the place and DNA doesn't recognise any structure for the users (meaning we can't apply different settings for staff/students/admins). Ideally we'd want to be able to organise users by AD structure and PCs in our own way.

 

I do have a change request for this open with support/devs already, but please, please consider it as part of 4.5 so we can use the new, cool stuff!

 

Thanks.

Edited June 22, 2017 by lewisburgess

[Al_NetSupport]

Yay! Thanks for this Al.

 

Can I do my usual and ask for something else to be added?! Please could you add a PDF export for when you are viewing captured phrases? We email them to the appropriate person and being able to hit a button that saves it in a set place with .pdf would be great!

 

OK, slightly embarassing but it looks like the elves have already done it ready for DNA 4.50.

 

When you are viewing a phrase alert, there is now an extra icon ( save to PDF)

 

 

And in your settings you can customise a school logo on the Pdf we produce and where it is saved too

 

 

This is the resulting output.

 

example_report.pdf

 

 

So good, we did it before you even asked

[fiza]

As requested by a number of our users - Preventing students logging into more than one PC has also been added, you can choose if you want to prevent them logging into a second PC before they log out of the original, or alternatively, you allow them to log into the new PC and automatically log them out of the original one.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44028[/ATTACH]

 

Excellent - I like the option of auto logging the user off from the previous machine. At the moment with our current system they have to come all the way to IT Support in order for us to log them off before they can login elsewhere.

[chris_uk]

OK, slightly embarassing but it looks like the elves have already done it ready for DNA 4.50.

 

When you are viewing a phrase alert, there is now an extra icon ( save to PDF)

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44055[/ATTACH]

 

And in your settings you can customise a school logo on the Pdf we produce and where it is saved too

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44056[/ATTACH]

 

This is the resulting output.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44057[/ATTACH]

 

 

So good, we did it before you even asked

 

Thanks @Al_NetSupport, when can I get a chance to play with it?!

[Al_NetSupport]

Hi,

These changes look really good

 

I'm excited about some of the user policy changes coming in, but without a bit of a change to how DNA works, they might be out of reach for us.

 

At the moment, we lay PCs out in DNA very differently to the AD. Office & Teacher's PCs and IT rooms are spread out amongst colleges (like a house system but bigger) so we group them together manually in DNA, meaning we can apply a single policy to each type of group - e.g. all IT rooms, all Offices, all Teaching PCs. It works well and if we laid it out in AD view, it would be very, very cumbersome to manage.

 

Unfortunately, this breaks the user side of things - they get dumped all over the place and DNA doesn't recognise any structure for the users (meaning we can't apply different settings for staff/students/admins). Ideally we'd want to be able to organise users by AD structure and PCs in our own way.

 

I do have a change request for this open with support/devs already, but please, please consider it as part of 4.5 so we can use the new, cool stuff!

 

Thanks.

 

PM me your contact details Chris, will ask one of the gang to have a chat so we can properly understand and see what we can do. Don't like to squeeze last minute things into releases as it compromises quality and risks bugs, but will reserve judgement until team advise on impications of a mixed view ( Hardware view in a custom tree, Users in an AD tree). At the moment you get both shown one above the other but i understand your point ref users.

 

Al.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Thanks @Al_NetSupport, when can I get a chance to play with it?!

 

Very soon

[clockend25]

Trialing NetSupport at the moment and it does look decent, although having multiple consoles and clients isn't ideal. Looks like some decent functionality being added in this release.

[fiza]

 

Very soon

 

Hopefully before the end of term?

[Al_NetSupport]

Hopefully before the end of term?

 

I always think its better to under promise and over deliver. We have seen in our space other vendors announce the release of the product and then months later it's still not "actually" released. It doesn't do anyone any favours planning updates.

 

Our aim is to release very very soon, but not until Q/A says its right to do so. Rest assured I wouldn't be sharing highlights if we weren't on the home straight .

 

Al.

[fiza]

Hi all,

 

Just wanted to share that we have started providing details and screenshots of the new version of NetSupport DNA which will be released in the next few weeks.

 

I am posting updates in the current offer thread you can find here:

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/vbcms-comments/185276-article-summer-special-edugeek-members-netsupport-dna-only-3-a.html

 

But as you can see below - extended platform support for Mac, iOS and Chrome as well as extra Network Admin features are all on the menu

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44024[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44025[/ATTACH]

 

Al.

 

Is there a list of new features you could let us know about? I can see from the screenshot there are a few new buttons on the menu. 'Activity' and 'spotlight' being 2 I noticed.

[lewisburgess]

Trialing NetSupport at the moment and it does look decent, although having multiple consoles and clients isn't ideal. Looks like some decent functionality being added in this release.

 

We use NSS too. The Tech Console is so monumentally slow to open (even with the Connectivity Server) that I use DNA to connect to PCs for tech support now.

[fiza]

I use the tech console all the time. No issues with speed here.

[Al_NetSupport]

Trialing NetSupport at the moment and it does look decent, although having multiple consoles and clients isn't ideal. Looks like some decent functionality being added in this release.

 

Thanks for the feedback, and i hope the trial goes well - feel free to PM me or @NetSupportTechSupport if you have any questions.

 

There is a change in approach with NetSupport DNA that may seem different to solutions you may have tried, as we really don't think one Console for everything always makes sense. Techies use NetSupport DNA to monitor and manage their IT estate and the history of student activity - whereas teachers utilise very different tools ( oftend on varied platforms) so we feel they require a different, dedicated interface.

 

In some solutions the classroom module is the more the "old school" classroom management - Lock Keyboard and Mouse, Watch Screens, transfer files, open web pages, control app use etc, I tend to refer to as the "lock, stop and block" features. Some of those are similar to techie features. We do offer all of those features, but NetSupport School does a huge amount more for Teachers which is why the need a separate console. Nowadays classroom management sooftware for within the ICT suite is much more Ofsted and AfL focused so we offer loads of additional and unique feaures you won't find elsewhere - all deisgned specifically for teachers :

 

Things like Digital learning journals where content and student notes + teacher notes can be added and shared outside of the classroom, visible lesson objectives and outcomes (ofsted guidance), Assessment for Learning - Assessment tools - Peer assessment, basketball questioning and lots of gamification based real-time testing to evidence progress in the lesson ( which then gets included in the journal), lesson plans for teachers, student tool bars for quick acccess to learning resources, a virtual whiteboard which all students can interact and collaborate with, Teaching Assistant apps for IOS and Android that connect to the teacher app so they can monitor screens etc. etc.

 

This set of features is all for teachers and not something the IT/network managers are going to be interested in.

 

If you then go to the next level from a cross-platform teaching perspective - in NetSupport you get a Teachers Console for Chrome, a Teachers Console for Android, one for the latest generation of Kindles, one for Mac and now a dedicated one for Windows 10 you can load from the store so already the landscape is moving into neededing a dedicated app for each core area / solution. Again our competitors ( most) tend to claim platform support, but only actually mean for the student.

 

 

I guess, my point is its different in NetSupport because we offer a lot more than other solutions on the teaching side, so that's why we have separate apps/programs for each platform just for the curriculum team and then the dedicated IT parts for the techies.

 

Occasionally staff need both and I agree, that's not ideal, but there is a method in the madness.

 

Al.

Edited June 23, 2017 by Al_NetSupport

[fiza]

@Al_NetSupport - What's the news on a release date for DNA 4.5?

[Al_NetSupport]

Hi @fiza, apologies, busy time last week of school term ( wearing my Governor hat )

 

DNA 4.5 is in the home straight, work on iOS agent is done ( and already approved in the app store), Mac all doen bar some tweaks on internet metering, Chrome similar, but a couple of niggles to iron out. Main 4.5 Windows release is looking super slick, but the new profiles we added ( so you can assigny Web restrictions to different user groups) has thrown up a bit more work than we originally expected - better to be honest. It's almost there though.

 

As a high level summary, so far we have added :

 

 

NetSupport DNA has extended its support to include Mac, Chrome and iOS

 

Chrome Agent

In addition to gathering a full hardware inventory from Chrome devices and enabling real-time monitoring (using icon, details or thumbnail views), new tools to support a school’s safeguarding policy are also included. Students using a Chrome device can now report their concerns in confidence to a trusted member of staff via the Report a Concern option. The chosen member of staff is instantly alerted when a concern is raised and can then track it and record any follow-up actions directly from within NetSupport DNA. A detailed summary of all internet activity and any triggered keywords and phrases are also provided, with alerts being sent to the appropriate safeguarding lead to review and follow up on.

 

 

iOS Browser app

The iOS Browser app within NetSupport DNA (v4.5 and above) now allows schools to monitor and manage iOS device activity. It provides IT technicians with the tools to gather a full hardware inventory from iOS devices and enables real-time monitoring – using icon, details or thumbnail views.

 

A detailed summary of all internet activity is provided, enabling technicians to monitor and control which websites students can access, by applying lists of approved and restricted URLs. Keyword and phrase monitoring are also available, with alerts being sent to the appropriate safeguarding lead to review and follow up on – further supporting a school’s safeguarding policy. To ensure students only use the monitored browser, schools can use an MDM solution to lock down other browsers being used. Students are also able to access the online safeguarding resources list, enabling them source help and advice independently.

 

 

Mac Agent – enhanced

The Mac agent now allows IT technicians to enable real-time monitoring (using icon, details or thumbnail views) and gather a full hardware and software inventory from the Agent machine, as well as receive hardware and software alerts – helping them to respond quickly and minimise any issues. To help monitor and safeguard students when using the internet, a detailed summary of all internet activity is provided and lists of approved and restricted URLs can be applied to fully manage internet usage. Keyword and phrase monitoring are also available with alerts being sent to the appropriate safeguarding lead to review and follow up on - further supporting a school’s safeguarding policy. Meanwhile, students who may have a concern are also able to report it in confidence to a trusted member of staff via the Report a Concern option. The chosen member of staff is instantly alerted when a concern is raised and can then track it and record any follow-up actions directly from within NetSupport DNA.

 

 

Safeguarding

 

New - Teacher ‘Add a concern’

In addition to students being able to report their concerns from any school PC to a trusted member of staff, teachers can now do the same in situations where they are verbally told of a student’s concern. They can now log the concern via the ‘Add concern’ button on the safeguarding navigation tab.

Just like the students, the teacher can select which member of staff they would like to report the concern to, enabling the selected staff member to track the concern, re-assign it and record any follow-up actions directly from within NetSupport DNA.

Not only does it help to stop any incidents recorded onto pieces of paper from going missing, but it helps prevent the concern being forgotten about or not being reported/recorded in the correct manner.

 

Webcam enabled

When a safeguarding keyword is copied, typed or searched for across the network, NetSupport DNA now includes an option to enable the active webcam to capture an image of the user – in addition to logging the event and providing a recording and screen shot of the incident. This helps schools to identify the person activating the keywords and enables them to react to the situation more quickly.

 

User Management

 

Activity Monitoring - Activity log

NetSupport DNA now provides a single time-based summary of all activity by a specific user, PC or department. Presented in a chronological view, it shows technicians what time the logon session began and ended, as well as exactly what applications were used and when, internet usage and any triggered safeguarding keywords – over a set time period. This time-saving feature means that technicians now don’t have to look at each area separately and can instead see the full picture of activity, at a glance in one location. For example, if there was a specific safeguarding event, a technician or safeguarding lead could review exactly what took place before and after the incident occurred.

 

Profiles

To provide maximum flexibility and to help save time, NetSupport DNA allows you to create multiple profiles for different groups of devices or users (i.e. year group or department level), each with its specific component settings. This means dedicated settings (such as internet access) can be applied to specific year groups, allowing the schools to implement age-appropriate monitoring and restrictions.

 

Logon Control

Helping to boost security, NetSupport DNA now prevent users from logging on to more than one PC at a time. The user can be prevented from logging on to a second PC while still logged on the original PC – or they can log on to the second PC and be automatically logged out of the first PC.

 

IT staff are alerted of users who are simultaneously logged into multiple PCs. Following these alerts, IT technicians are able to log the user out and follow up to ensure the login credentials are not being misused.

 

Locate a User

NetSupport DNA allows anyone with just a DNA agent installed on their machine ( if the feature is enabled) to locate another logged-on user and then send them a message. This may be useful for staff members that do not have the NetSupport DNA Console installed, but need to find and contact other users in the school, for example finding a student they are concerned about.

 

Bookmarks

NetSupport DNA allows you to create and place bookmarks within the PCs, Users and Devices Tree views. This may be useful if you have a large or complex Tree structure, as it allows you to quickly navigate to the place you want to work with.

 

Enhancements

 

Console security – enhanced

To help save time, a reset option is now available to allow the Console user to reset their password if their account has been locked out (and specific criteria are met).

 

Explorer – enhanced

 

To give technicians a more accurate overview of device activity, we’ve increased the thumbnail refresh rate speed to ensure all view modes are up-to-date.

In addition, the Explorer mode is now available from the Users Tree view, so that they are able to see data from users – as well as what profiles have been assigned.

In the details mode, Performance data such as real-time network traffic, CPU and memory uses for each PC is now displayed in real-time to help give an instant view of network health.

 

Alerting – enhanced

For even closer monitoring of devices, alerts can be set to warn technicians if CPU utilisation exceeds x% for more than a specified amount of time, helping to maintain productivity.

 

Lots of other small tweaks and enhancements - but the above are the main bits.

 

 

As you can see, we have been busy - but quality needs to match quantity, so bear with us another few weeks and it will be available for everyone.

 

Al.

[fiza]

@Al_NetSupport You guys have been busy. Looks like 4.5 is definitely worth waiting for. Thanks for the update.

[Jawloms]

Is 4.5 available yet? I downloaded from the site yesteday and got 4.4 again. I'm waiting for it before I start playing again.

 

Stuart