Impero vs GoverLan vs Senso vs LanSchool etc

[BistTech]

Hey All,

 

1 - Any opinions on the best value for money Network Management Software? It would ideally support reimaging machines remotely, deploying software to specific machines, logging of use. The free versions dont seem to provide such features - but if I am wrong, please let me know!

 

2 - it would be great if it included Classroom Management features similar to Netop, Veyon etc.

If not, has anyone had any joy with using Veyon? If so, paired with which NMS?

 

3 - Any ideas how to secure the network and manage different user groups without setting up an AD server?! I'm struggling to secure the funds from the boss...who thinks Google is a solve-all... I'll post this separately too.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Courtney_Impero]

Hi @BistTech,

 

Just thought I’d provide some info on our solutions in response to your questions. Impero Education Pro provides a host of network management features, including deploying software to Windows devices through MSI and command prompts. Other features such as power, print and license management and computer usage monitoring will be great to prove to the boss that you’re saving money! As Education Pro is a consolidated suite of network management, classroom management and online safety, it pairs effortlessly with the variety of tools and features provided.

 

In terms of classroom management features, Education Pro allows staff to lock machines, broadcast screens to the class, send messages, create quizzes and polls and more! Education Pro also provides that crucial live thumbnail view of all student devices to keep them on task. Entwined with online safety functionality, the software gives the ability to block and allow specific apps and websites on the fly, whilst detecting students who are at risk/acting inappropriately through our comprehensive keyword libraries and detection functionality.

 

Impero Education Pro allows for CSV import and Google Classroom integration to support the managing of user groups without setting up an AD server.

 

Happy to put you in touch with one of our education consultants if you have any other questions. And you can read how other schools are using our software here https://www.imperosoftware.com/uk/resources/case-studies/

 

Many Thanks,

 

Courtney @ Impero

[steveg]

We are in the process of making the move from Impero to Netsupport this summer, having been with Impero for just under 5 years now. So far initial impressions of netsupport have been very good, and dealings with their support team have been positive, it was also very competitively priced, with the features of both pretty similar.

 

Around 18 months ago Impero went quite dramatically downhill, they discovered some security issues, rushed out new releases, and didn't have adequate levels of support available, all of which made for a pretty poor customer experience. In fairness to them, they don't hide away from this, and have openly admitted things weren't right. Over the last 6 months things have improved - they appear to have stable software, and dealings with support have been positive and efficient again. Was just a little too late to keep me as a customer this time, but I would certainly look again in the future.

 

Steve

[Steven_Cleaver]

Although moved out of the Education sector recently take a look at Burconix Management tools think you can use these on free trial now found these to be excellent and used ABtutor for Classroom Management, used these for about 8 years and found them to be great and reliable products for managing the Network.

[karldenton]

Following on from steveg I’d definitely +100 for Netsupport DNA. PM me or one of the Netsupport guys on here if you require more info.

[sparkeh]

Following on from steveg I’d definitely +100 for Netsupport DNA. PM me or one of the Netsupport guys on here if you require more info.

 

Ditto, moved to DNA couple of years ago and wouldn’t be without it.

[abaxter2]

+1 for DNA, moved from impero a year ago and have not looked back. I have also heard that impero has improved over the last 6 months, but again was to late for me. Very happy with Netsupport and would easily recommend.

[elsiegee40]

Moved into appropriate forum

[maark]

Another one who moved from Impero to net support - find it pretty good.

Depends what you want to do - net support dna will let you monitor and flag up keywords/do screenshots for safeguarding requirements as well as all other network monitoring/management.

You can also get a password change tool for staff.

Net support school/manager does the classroom management side for teachers viewing/controlling screens etc.

[LanSchoolUK_Adam]

@BistTech I've already PM'd you personally, but I would encourage anyone looking for a decent third option to get in touch regarding LanSchool.

 

The product has come a long way in the past couple of years with regards to Network Management (control, deployment tools, inventorying, remote scripting etc), eSafety (keywords, PREVENT, auto-screenshot, keystroke audit logs etc), iPad, VDI and Chromebook support, and web-based Reporting on things like website access, login history and resource utilisation.

 

The cloud / SaaS version (LanSchool Air) will be launching in the UK shortly soon as well, for those who are leaning more towards hosted solutions or unmanaged BYOD. Hopefully we'll be able to show it at BETT.

 

There are video links in my signature for the curious, or feel free to drop me a message to set up a demo if you're interested in looking at alternatives - thanks

[Ellie364IT]

We currently use AB Tutor - would be worth having a free trial. They released a version 9 in May and it is very good and we find it the most cost - effective compared to impero. https://www.abtutor.com/key_features

[sonofsanta]

I've never much been in the market for network management, more for classroom management, but we've used LanSchool for about 5 years for that latter purpose now and always found the product reliable, light on resources and the least interfering when it comes to other software (e.g. Impero was breaking Edge for us, Securus broke IE for us once...). Easy to install via MSI and easy to configure via GPO.

 

It's also the cheapest option per year from what I've seen; we actually ran for a few years without support because it was working, and just picked it up again (at only a few hundred quid) to get an updated version that'd work on Win10. Support have always been fast, helpful and knowledgeable, and sales don't pester me which is always bonus points as far as I'm concerned

 

With the new stuff being added in as well (e.g. safeguarding keywords with screenshots), I'm getting tempted to let a couple of other contracts run out and consolidate onto LanSchool alone soon.

[mavhc]

Out of all the options, which lets a teacher block/allow all windows with a url or title of multiple games, manually for their class, or on a timer each week?

 

Shared list of *slither.io*, *surviv.io*, *agar.io*, turn on/off blocks for a user security group, or machine ou, on the fly, and be able to unblock every monday at 1500-1515, and tuesday 1445-1515

[LanSchoolUK_Adam]

Hi mavhc - not on a timer, but it's easy enough to create a list of domains or website URL's that you want to block and then reduce it to a single-click action to turn it on/off.

 

You might find this post from the sticky useful; http://www.edugeek.net/forums/network-classroom-management/4-disabling-internet-one-room-11.html#post1629758