Microsoft updates desktop management tools

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New version released

By John Fontana | Framingham | Monday, 13 October, 2008

Microsoft has released Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) 2008 R2, the next version of its desktop management toolset for IT.

MDOP is designed specifically to help IT administrators manage collections of Windows desktops, including Vista SP1.

Early next year, Microsoft will add to MDOP its Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualisation (MED-V) software, which is the first Microsoft-branded release of the recently acquired Kidaro technology.

MED-V runs multiple versions of Windows or applications concurrently without having to open multiple virtual machine sessions. The software complements another MDOP tool called App-V.

The R2 release includes App-V 4.5 (formerly Softgrid), which introduces integration with System Center management tools, including the System Center Operations Manager 2007 Management Pack for App-V 4.5.

In addition, Advanced Group Policy Management 3.0 (AGPM) also has been updated to include new settings to enforce the use of the Group Policy change management tool.

MDOP includes AIS; App-V; Enterprise Desktop Virtualisation for managing and deploying virtual PCs; System Center Desktop Error Monitoring; Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM) for change management via group policy objects; and the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset, which helps in recovering a crashed PC.

MDOP is composed of software from Microsoft's purchases of Softricity, Kidaro, AssetMetrix, Winternals Software and DesktopStandard.

MDOP is a big part of Microsoft's Optimised Desktop, which addresses centralised management and deployment of physical and virtual resources.