Hello Folks,
This is the last beta of Enterprise Remote Control. We are on track to release the final version on June 1st.
If you don’t know what the heck I am talking about, check out the this article…it will explain more.
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Here are the latest download links:
The viewer:
http://www.intelliadmin.com/reflector_client5.exe
The Enterprise Agent: (You install it on computers you want to control)
http://www.intelliadmin.com/reflector_agent5.exe
The Enterprise Server: (Manages all the connections)
http://www.intelliadmin.com/reflector_server5.exe
At the same time we are going to release the standard edition 5.0. If you are not interested in the Enterprise server, and just want to try out computer to computer remote control, then use this agent (Same viewer for both versions):
http://www.intelliadmin.com/setupex5.exe
Enterprise edition setup instructions can be found here:
What was fixed
We fixed many bugs. Here are some of the highlights:
-Windows 2008 TS issue that would cause a lockup at logoff
-Viewer does not respond to maximize, restore, or minimize
-Agents staying offline, when they are actually online
-Multiple monitors on the x64 version caused the screen to get scrambled.
-Agent tray icon not showing when it should
There were lots of little annoyances, and issues that have been resolved.
During the last month we have completed more work on the capture engine in the agent. Back in December we did many things to improve performance. We added a mirror driver, included remote cursor support, and re-worked the code that detects changes on the screen.
This time around we focused on those customers that need to view remote machines without detection.
With Windows 7, and Vista end users could easily see that you were connected. Why? Because the agent would disable those translucent glass effects to improve performance.
The problem with that is the translucent glass effects are very hard to capture properly, and make the remote control experience very annoying.
Our solution? Custom craft code that would detect, and work around the glass effects.
If you notice in this screen shot:
A ‘ghost’ image of the browser was left behind (It was minimized when this shot was taken, and the background should have been shown.
With this new agent, you can still connect with glass enabled, and have a smooth connection.
Keep in mind it will be slower because of the additional graphics – but the option is there when you need it.
If you want to setup your viewer for ‘observation mode’ these are the settings you would use:
On the other side, if you are worried someone will use the product to illegally spy on people, there is a solution for that too.
Go to the user account settings in the Enterprise server. Pick the settings that make it obvious that someone is connected, or even force them to ask permission first:
When this is done, the viewer cannot override them.
Viewer Update
We have changed the layout of the command bar at the top of the viewer:
It is simple change, but I know you will be much happier with this. One click to send CTRL-ALT-DEL was a constant request – Done
Enterprise Server Change
We changed the permissions for users in the Enterprise Server:
The screen shot above shows that you can create a user that *only* has permission to add new computers, and has no permission to control computers.
This allows you to use a “zero remote access” account for agent setup – important if you want others to install the software.
Even more important if you want to generate a zero configuration (User can run setup without typing in any settings at all) agent install from our website:
You can include the username and password in the install, and the setup builder will encrypt and package it with the setup file. Still, if by some chance it is compromised you don’t need to worry since you used a “Add Computer Only” account.
It can also create custom MSI files that can be used for group policy deployments.
The web based setup generator is in final review, and we will publish a link to it next week. Sorry for so many delays on this one – it was much tougher than we originally thought.
Agent Settings App Changes
We have updated the agent settings application to display the connection status to the Enterprise server:
What is next?
This is it. What you see now will be the final version. Any changes from now until June 1st will be bug fixes.
If you find a bug let us know right away (Send it to support@intelliadmin.com) – we want to get any bugs resolved before the June 1st release date. .
Thanks again to all of the beta testers that have worked hard with us to resolve these bugs.
Give it a spin, and let us know what you think – Thanks!
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello Steve,
I have a question. We have been using this since beta 1, and it is fantastic – will the final version allow us to create a silent install we can have people download to add the agent to their computer?
Yes. I know my article was long so you probably missed it – We have a special web service designed that will allow you to pick all of the options for the setup package, and build it. It can be in EXE or MSI format. The MSI is “Group Policy Friendly” This means we have tested it over and over to make sure it will deploy when used in GP situations.
This builder will be available early next week. Still running it through final tests. Keep an eye on the blog for it.
Steve,
Just want to congratulate you and your team. I remember last June when I emailed you and you told me intelliadmin was working on this enterprise product. Your hard work has really paid off. Thanks a ton for making me look like a hero.
Case in point:
Last week one of our sales guys was across the country. He had an issue getting his Citrix connection working over the Hotel wireless. Within moments I was able to get to his computer and resolve the issue. In the old days we would have spent 20 minutes just getting the connection setup. I had it fixed before we would have connected in the past.
Thanks a ton!
I remember that email Dave – at that time I think we had an alpha version running. You kept begging us to let you try it out 🙂
Good thing you waited until we got it to beta status, it was pretty crude back then!
What about your regular remote control? Is it going to get an update. or is this replacing it?
Yes Mike,
We call this the “Standard Edition”. It is here to stay. In fact, we are merging all of the updates with it. On June 1st 5.0 of the standard edition will be released. This includes the new mirror driver (Much improved speed), remote cursor support, etc. Plus if you have a VNC client on your iPhone, Android, Etc – you will be pleased to know we beefed up the VNC support to work well with these.
If you just want to install the standard edition agent, get it from here:
http://www.intelliadmin.com/setupex5.exe
What about the agents I already have across my network. Will you be pushing an automatic update soon?
Re: Automatic Updates
Yes we will be pushing the update out next week. Just want to make sure there are no last minute changes we need to make.
Steve. I bought the standard edition of 4.0 back in december. What will the upgrade to 5.0 cost?
Hello Andrew. Good question. It will be a free upgrade for all 4.0 customers.
Is the MSI builder out yet. I am kind of holding off on deploying until I get my hands on it. Thanks.
– Tim
Yes. Was waiting to write the article, but if you want to give it a try…we just finished the last fixes. We have tested it on our virtual network, and all looks good.
Here is the link:
http://www.intelliadmin.com/index.php/remote-control-agent-setup-builder-msi/
Please report back here your experiences with it.
Also…the MSI *is* group policy friendly.
Oh, and one more thing..here is the builder for creating an EXE based setup:
http://www.intelliadmin.com/index.php/remote-control-agent-setup-builder-ex/
The EXE can be run silently by calling it with the /verysilent option.
Also…give the agent about 2 to 3 minutes to register. It purposely pauses for a random interval to prevent overload of the Enterprise server.
Wow! Can’t believe how cool the setup builder is guys. This thing makes it a breeze to deploy via GP
Glad you like it Josh. This was a tough one to implement, but it was worth the trouble…now that we have this technology we are going to use it for some other cool ideas.
Steve,
We’re looking for a new Remote Administration software at our organization. We have a much older version of Remote Control from IntelliAdmin and in looking at your site the Enterprise Remote Control caught our eye. Could you please contact me directly? I would love to talk to you about this product.
Sure. I will send you an email right away.
Thanks!