desktop management

Traditional desktop management tasks include installing and maintaining hardware and software, spam filtering, and administering user permissions. In recent years, however, security-related tasks have become an increasingly large part of desktop management. As a result, an increasingly large proportion of administrative resources have been devoted to security-related tasks, such as patch management, fighting viruses and spyware, and controlling greynet applications (programs installed without corporate approval, such as instant messaging, file sharing programs, and RSS readers).

Desktop Management Interface (DMI) is an industry framework for managing and keeping track of hardware and software components in a system of personal computers from a central location. DMI was created by the Desktop Management Task Force (DMTF) to automate system management and is particularly beneficial in a network computing environment where dozens or more computers are managed.

Read more about desktop management: - Windows server expert Serdar Yegulalp answers questions about desktop management. - SearchNetworking.com offers the "Top 10 ways to improve desktop management." - Bernie Klinder offers this tip for how to change the Windows XP Product Activation Key code - Mark Minasi writes about 'Vista's little surprises.'

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know. Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT Windows Vista management tutorial Managing Windows Vista systems comes with several challenging issues. With our Vista management tutorial, you'll learn how to ease the pain caused by... Windows operating system management for the IT pro Managing Windows operating systems is a difficult task for any IT admin, but with our top 10 tips of the year, you can learn how to improve OS... Managing Windows Vista: Top 10 tips of the year Learn how to manage Windows Vista in your organization with tips on Windows service pack decisions, improving Vista security, the newest features of...

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary Vista  (SearchEnterpriseDesktop.com) Vista, formerly code named Longhorn, is the most recent of Microsoft's Windows desktop operating systems.... (Continued) Vista glossary  (SearchEnterpriseDesktop.com) Vista glossary: definitions of technology terms about the Vista operating system, associated software, versions and related elements.