| Product | NetSupport DNA |
|---|---|
| Type | IT Asset Management Software for Corporate and Education Enterprises |
| Current Version | 4.6 |
| Platform Support |      |
| DOWNLOAD |  |
NetSupport DNA – IT Asset Management for the Corporate enterprise
A suite of easy-to-use tools for managing and supporting IT assets across a corporate network.
NetSupport DNA features a wealth of components including: automatic discovery of devices; hardware and software inventory; change tracking; and user and software licence management. Building on the flexibility of a single solution, NetSupport DNA also includes as standard: energy monitoring; power management; USB end point security; printer monitoring; application and internet metering; a flexible alerting suite; and an easy-to-use software distribution module. NetSupport also offers optional service desk and remote control modules.
NetSupport DNA is designed first and foremost to be easy to install and use. Download a free 30-day trial and you can be operational within 30 minutes − without the need to use third-party services or send any of your data outside of your network.
Key Features (Quick Overview) :
Ease of Installation
Features a discovery and deployment tool for easy installation. Alerts when new devices are discovered over time.
Hardware Inventory
Provides one of the most comprehensive and detailed Hardware Inventory and change tracking modules available on the market today.
SNMP Discovery
NetSupport DNA can be configured to scan a range of network addresses and report on any SNMP devices discovered.
Software Licensing
Designed to help companies manage licence compliance and reduce software overspend by reporting and tracking installed software.
Software Metering
Reports application use by both user and device and provides the tools to restrict where and when applications can be used.
Internet Metering
Provides a detailed summary of internet activity on each PC, including start and finish times for each URL visited and active time.
Enterprise Alerting
A powerful and flexible Alerting Module featuring over 100 alert types provides proactive monitoring of the company network.
Software Distribution
Provides multi-delivery Software Distribution. “Push” packages instantly or publish packages for departments to “pull” down.
Power Management
Provides both a detailed summary of energy usage and the ability to schedule power management for selected office PCs.
Endpoint Security
A robust and effective solution for managing the use of USB memory sticks to help maintain the security of the network.
User Management
A range of features to support staff including AD account management, user acceptance policies and much more.
Acceptable Use Policies
Provides automated display, enforcement and tracking of Acceptable Use Policies for staff.
Print Monitoring
A simple and effective feature where individual printers across the enterprise are automatically identified and usage monitored.
Reporting
On-screen, print-optimised, query-based and “live” drill down reporting capabilities are included as standard.
Mobile Inventory
Search or scan a barcode to access inventory and alert details for any PC using the mobile app for Android and iOS devices.
Remote Control (Optional)
Integrate NetSupport Manager Remote Control to leverage full real-time remote access across the enterprise.
Service Desk (Optional)
Designed to integrate seamlessly, NetSupport ServiceDesk is a complete ITIL-based helpdesk solution.
Key Features (Full Description)
Ease of Installation
NetSupport DNA is designed to deliver a complete suite of IT administration features without the associated expensive hardware purchase, implementation and training costs of alternative solutions. After installation of the server module (used to manage and add information to the DNA database), the deployment tool provided will automatically discover and install the DNA client on targeted devices. Finally, the DNA console (installed by the IT technician) provides full DNA system control, rich on-screen information and real-time reporting. A typical 50-user PC evaluation can be up and running within 30 minutes. An additional gateway component is included as standard for linking multiple remote sites and SQL Server Express is also included so it can be used for evaluation. DNA will link with Active Directory (including single sign-on) and includes the ability to profile department access and administrative features by console user.
Hardware Inventory
NetSupport DNA provides one of the most comprehensive and detailed Hardware Inventory modules available on the market today. A wealth of information is gathered from each device, from CPU and BIOS types to network, video and storage information. Inventory reports are displayed either for a single PC, a selected department, condition-based “Dynamic Groups” or for the full enterprise.
A Contracts module is also provided to record both leases and maintenence contracts associated with any devices and peripherals, including supplier details, contract term dates and costs.
Hardware Inventory updates are configured to run at different time intervals throughout the day or at start-up and can be refreshed instantly on demand. A standalone inventory component is available to run on non-networked or mobile devices and in addition, high value peripherals can also be associated and recorded against a device.
SNMP Device Discovery
The SNMP Discovery view allows NetSupport DNA to be configured to scan a range of network addresses and report on any appropriate devices discovered, such as printers and access points. These items can then be stored within DNA and real-time data (such as ink or toner levels) can be monitored from the console.
Software Inventory and Licensing
The Software Module is designed to help organisations manage licence compliance and reduce software overspend by accurately reporting installed software and proactively identifying PCs with software that has no or low usage.
A detailed summary of all programs and applications installed on each PC is provided, including Windows 8 and 10 store apps. NetSupport DNA can display the information for a selected PC, a department or a custom group and features an extensive module for assigning and tracking licence use. The NetSupport DNA software licence module supports the ongoing management of all software licences for each department − recording suppliers, purchase and invoice details, department or cost centre allocation and the tracking of maintenance contracts as well as storing PDF copies of any supporting documents.
A file scan option is also included and can be used to identify files of a certain type installed locally on devices. This could be used to ensure work documents are not being stored locally and missing company backup routines.
Software Application Metering
The Application Metering module reports on all applications used on each PC or server, detailing the time the application was started and finished, as well as the actual time it was active.
Monitoring application use ensures software licences are assigned to the right users and aren’t renewed for users without matching application activity, thus enabling cost savings.
Application usage can also be restricted for users or departments, either fully or just by time of day. Lists of approved and restricted applications, together with times when restrictions apply, can be created and enforced centrally.
Application Metering enables the business to monitor and report current licence use levels for all installed applications and ensure that application usage complies with corporate policy. Reports can be presented by PC or logged-on user.
Internet Metering
From online collaboration and cloud-based solutions to social media and beyond, access to the internet is constant. To ensure the successful use of staff time, the effective use of company bandwidth and to support a safe environment, it is essential that companies don’t just have an internet safety policy in place, but also the right tools to enforce it.
The Internet Metering module provides a detailed summary of all internet activity on each PC by a user, including start and finish times for each URL visited and the active time spent on a page. Results can be reviewed either by activity on a specific device or for a user, no matter where they worked. Naturally, the key to supporting an effective policy is to provide effective controls. With NetSupport DNA, internet usage can be fully managed; lists of approved and restricted URLs and/or sub-URLs can be applied centrally. Once applied, NetSupport DNA can allow unrestricted access to all websites, restricted access to certain websites that have been marked as approved by the company or by blocking access to specific sites marked as inappropriate.
Access can also be controlled by time of day, perhaps only allowing access to approved gaming or social media sites at lunchtime and outside of working hours.
Enterprise Alerting
NetSupport DNA features an extremely powerful Alerting module that prompts the system to automatically notify operators when any number of changes occurs across the enterprise. Building on the DNA philosophy, the system is designed to be simple to initiate and any number of custom alerts can be added.
There are two types of alert: system and PC alerting. System alerts identify any changes within the data gathered by NetSupport DNA across the overall enterprise, including alerts for things like new PCs added, changes in hardware, a new application installed/removed and so on. PC alerts identify real-time changes or conditions that occur on a specific PC, such as CPU utilisation exceeding XX% for XX minutes, free disk space falling below XX%, when a key service stops (e.g. AntiVirus service or IIS on a server), print spooler alerts, security alerts (e.g. failed login attempts) and much more. As part of a SIEM (Security information and event management) strategy, the PC event log can also be monitored with alerts triggered for errors, warnings or selected audit outcomes.
Alert notifications can be directed to specified email recipients and/or active console users (on a per alert basis, so the nature of the alert may dictate which operators are notified). In addition, outstanding alerts are identified against matching PCs on the main company hierarchy tree view. Once alerts have been identified, notes can be added by an operator. A full history of all alerts is accessible from the History feature.
Software Distribution
NetSupport DNA provides a multi-delivery option for Software Distribution.
A software distribution package is created by either applying parameters to a collection of files or folders or by using the DNA application packager, recording the user prompts, keystrokes and mouse clicks that are used during a test installation, and then automating these on a live deployment to bypass the need for operator intervention. Once created, the application package can be automatically “pushed” to the target PCs for deployment or, alternatively, it can be “published”.
Once published, a user can check to see which applications are available for their PC, based on their departmental membership, and “pull” these on demand.
NetSupport DNA includes a Scheduling feature, allowing packages to be deployed on a specific date and time – usually out of core office hours when network traffic is at its lowest.
With remote deployments, the need to minimise network traffic congestion becomes a priority. In this case, NetSupport DNA allows a client PC, ideally local to the target machines, to be nominated as a distribution point. When the software is deployed, rather than being sent to each remote PC directly, it is just sent to the designated PC which then acts as a relay and re-distributes it to its local PCs.
Energy Monitoring and Power Management
The Energy Monitoring module provides a simple and concise high-level summary of potential energy wastage across the school by office and classroom computer systems that are left powered on out of school hours.
Energy saving is a big area of focus for schools, and NetSupport DNA helps in two ways: First of all, NetSupport DNA checks to verify the powered-on state of all computers and its local monitoring component keeps an accurate record of each time a computer is powered on, off or hibernates. Once it knows the times of day each computer was operational, an average (and customisable) “power consumption per device” calculation is used, facilitating a baseline energy usage calculation for all computers.
With this information to hand, Power Management policies can now be set. Computers in selected classrooms can be set to automatically power off at a specified time at the end of each day and then power back on – all at once, or in stages – the next morning. In addition, schools can apply “inactivity policies”, allowing rules to be set for systems to be set to sleep, log out or power down if they have been inactive over a period of time.
Endpoint Security
NetSupport DNA provides a simple and effective solution for managing the use of USB memory sticks to help maintain the security of the school network. The use of memory sticks can be controlled across the entire school or just for specific departments, staff or students. Usage can be set to allow full access, block all access, allow read-only access or prevent applications being run from an unknown memory stick. Alternatively, individual memory sticks can be “authorised” in NetSupport DNA – for the current day, a week or indefinitely – and the use of sticks in the school can then also be limited to only those authorised.
A program administrator can connect a memory stick to their local PC and then authorise its use within the DNA console for either a given department or a specific teacher. Teachers or students who connect an unauthorised memory stick to their PC can also request remote authorisation where appropriate. Not only does NetSupport DNA identify both removable (memory stick) and portable (mobile phone, tablet, camera) storage devices, it also provides similar usage controls over CD / DVD devices (including USB and virtual).
User Management
NetSupport DNA provides a range of features to locate and manage users within a networked environment. In addition to key user data (name, telephone etc), DNA provides the customer with the ability to tailor the data to be gathered and collated from each user, including tracking of user acceptance forms. DNA also keeps a history of changes to the data entered in User Data. Changes to Custom User Details are recorded, including the following fields: Employee Number, Location, Asset Tag and Owner.
Other supporting tools include real-time chat and enterprise messaging, a real-time system status view for all devices, as well as a range of system admin features.
Enforce Acceptable Use Policies
Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) form an integral part of the key information security policies used by most organisations. It is common practice for new staff to sign an AUP before using company resources for the first time, or to confirm they have read any changes to such a policy whenever it is updated.
NetSupport DNA provides a flexible module to support the delivery and tracking of AUPs across the enterprise. Policies can be applied to specific devices for display each time any user logs on, or to users for one-time display and acknowledgement. The Acceptable Use Policy feature can support multiple policies, which can then be formatted for clear presentation. Full tracking and exception reporting is also provided.
Print Monitoring
NetSupport DNA includes a high-level Print Monitoring feature. Individual printers across the enterprise are automatically identified and, from the central console view, costs for printing (black and white, colour and so on) can be assigned either globally or against each different printer. Where required, printers can also be excluded from the view. A full overview of printing activities and indicative costs across the enterprise is provided by NetSupport DNA.
Enterprise Reporting
NetSupport DNA provides both on-screen and print optimised reporting. The on-screen reports / views are provided with supporting bar and pie charts and “live” drill down capabilities on all key summary data. As well as reporting on individual devices, users and departments, NetSupport DNA also features dynamic groups. These are user-defined and are added to the main company tree. A dynamic group could, for example, be to identify which PCs are upgradeable and such a group would be created automatically from those that match the required criteria – such as “all PCs with more than ‘XX’ Gb Ram, ‘XX’ Gb free disk space and XX processor type” and so on.
Print optimised reports are designed for management reporting and can be scheduled for creation and output to a specified file location automatically. All reports include the option to print or export to PDF, DOC and XLS.
NetSupport also supports custom views for all data; the Query Tool provides users with an easy interface for defining custom views. The query tool uses a simple drag and drop field picker, supported with conditions and sum-based features.
Mobile Inventory
Provided as a supporting tool for NetSupport DNA, the Inventory app can be downloaded free from the Google Play and Apple app stores. The DNA mobile app allows a Technician, when away from their desk, to search for and view a detailed Hardware and Software Inventory for any PC on the company network. The mobile app also includes a QR code scanner to help instantly identify any PC, either from an on-screen QR code displayed by DNA, or from a label fixed to the device. NetSupport DNA also provides a QR code label creation facility, including support for custom details. Histories of all hardware changes as well as any software installs or removals are also shown on the app.
In addition to the Inventory and History views, the NetSupport DNA mobile app also highlights any new PC alerts that have triggered across the network.
Remote Control (optional)
As a natural partner to IT asset management, NetSupport DNA is fortunate to be able to offer NetSupport Manager remote control. With 25 years of awards and 13 million+ users, NetSupport Manager is recognised as the best in class for secure, high performance remote control.
Accessed from the DNA console on your desktop, tablet or smartphone, NetSupport Manager provides seamless and secure access to workstations and servers across your enterprise, both locally when in the office, and remotely when on the move.
NetSupport Manager features true multi-platform remote control: monitor and view dozens of devices in a single view; transfer of files or updates to one or multiple devices in one go; remotely view and edit the Registry; manage services and processes; conduct an audio chat; share screens or even show your screen to others; access interactive training tools; geolocation, and much more.
ServiceDesk (optional)
Designed to integrate with NetSupport DNA or operate as a standalone solution, NetSupport ServiceDesk ticks all the boxes as a fully functioning ITIL-compliant IT Service Management (ITSM) tool, supporting the key areas of ITIL’s best practice framework – Incident, Problem, Change and Service Level Management. Used with NetSupport DNA and our remote access solution, NetSupport Manager, support teams have a complete network management toolkit.
NetSupport ServiceDesk can be accessed through a web browser by any user from their desktop or mobile device and allows for the customisation of many key features within the solution. From operator functionality to the creation of specific data entry fields, it can be tailored to fit seamlessly into your organisation.
Powerful and customisable workflow rules help ensure delivery of an efficient and timely service in line with agreed service levels, automated email processing helps deliver further time savings and, with NetSupport ServiceDesk’s customer-friendly self-service portal, users are able to search for answers before even logging a support request.
Benefits
NetSupport DNA is designed to be easy to deploy and, more importantly, easy to use. The console provides an engaging welcome dashboard that presents key current statistics and ensures quick and clear access to all relevant data without the need for extensive analysis.
NetSupport DNA benefits companies by helping to:
Reduce IT Costs – by identifying hardware that can either be redeployed or upgraded rather than replaced; tracking software licence deployment and, critically, licence usage – thereby avoiding costly renewals for software no longer needed; by monitoring print usage across the enterprise and with energy monitoring and deployment of a power management policy to relevant areas of the company.
Add Security – by preventing access to unathorised websites; limiting use of key applications to only authorised users; by helping protect company data with profiled memory stick access; delivering user acceptance policies; and sending security alerts for any unauthorised activity such as hardware removal, antivirus services being stopped and more.
Save Time – with proactive warning alerts of issues across the network – from server failure, low disk space, unauthorised software installs, through to licence compliance and user help requests; with reports automatically and routinely generated for management; and by using the supporting mobile apps to ensure key data is accessible for IT staff from wherever they are.
Education version:
NetSupport DNA – IT Asset Management for Schools
A suite of easy-to-use tools for managing and supporting IT assets across a school network or campus.
NetSupport DNA contains a wealth of features designed to make School IT management so much easier. Highlights include: automatic discovery of devices; hardware and software inventory; change tracking and software licence management. Building on the flexibility of a single solution for schools, NetSupport DNA also includes energy monitoring; power management; USB endpoint security; printer monitoring; application and internet metering; a flexible alerting suite; and an easy-to-use software distribution module. NetSupport also offers optional classroom management, service desk and remote control modules.
For education environments, NetSupport DNA is designed first and foremost to be easy to install and use. Download a free 30-day trial for up to 50 devices and be operational within 30 minutes − without the need to use third-party services or send any of your data outside of your network.
Key Features (Quick Overview) :
Ease of Installation
Features a discovery and deployment tool for easy installation. Alerts when new devices are discovered over time.
Hardware Inventory
Provides one of the most comprehensive and detailed Hardware Inventory and change tracking modules available on the market today.
SNMP Discovery
NetSupport DNA can be configured to scan a range of network addresses and report on any SNMP devices discovered.
Software Licensing
Designed to help schools manage licence compliance and reduce software overspend by reporting and tracking installed software.
Software Metering
Reports application use by both user and device and provides the tools to restrict where and when applications can be used.
Internet Metering
Delivers a detailed summary of school internet activity and provides the controls to limit web access by URL and time of day.
Enterprise Alerting
A powerful and flexible Alerting module featuring over 100 alert types provides proactive monitoring of the school network.
Software Distribution
Provides multi-delivery Software Distribution. “Push” packages instantly or publish packages for departments to “pull” down.
Power Management
Provides both a detailed summary of all energy usage and the ability to schedule power management for selected school PCs.
Endpoint Security
A robust and effective solution for managing the use of USB memory sticks to help maintain the security of the school network and data.
eSafety
A range of features to support a school’s eSafety policy is included, including webcam control.
Safeguarding module
Provides a range of proactive and reactive tools to help safeguard students.
User Management
A range of features to locate and support staff and students including Account Management, User acceptance policies and much more.
Acceptable Use Policies
Provides automated display, enforcement and tracking of Acceptable Use Policies for staff and students.
Print Monitoring
An easy-to-deploy Print Monitoring feature where individual print usage across the school is automatically monitored.
School Reporting
On-screen, print-optimised, query-based and “live” drill down reporting capabilities are included as standard.
Mobile Inventory
Search or scan a barcode to access inventory and alert details for any PC using the mobile app for Android and iOS devices.
Classroom Management (optional)
NetSupport School delivers an unparalleled range of monitoring, assessment and collaboration features.
Remote Control (optional)
Integrate NetSupport Manager Remote Control to leverage full real-time remote access across the campus.
Service Desk (Optional)
Designed to integrate seamlessly, NetSupport ServiceDesk is a complete ITIL based helpdesk solution.
Key Features (Full Description)
Ease of Installation
NetSupport DNA is designed to deliver a complete suite of IT admin features for schools and colleges, without the expensive associated hardware purchases, implementation and initial training costs of alternative solutions.
After installation of the server module (used to manage and add information to the DNA database), the deployment tool provided will automatically discover and install the DNA client on targeted devices across the school. The DNA console (installed by the IT technician) provides full DNA system control, rich on-screen information and real-time reporting.
A typical 50-user PC evaluation can be up and running within 30 minutes. An additional gateway component is included as standard for linking multiple schools or campuses. DNA will also link with a school’s existing Active Directory if present (including single sign-on) and includes the ability to profile department access and administrative features by console user.
Hardware Inventory
NetSupport DNA provides one of the most comprehensive and detailed Hardware Inventory modules available on the market today. A wealth of information is gathered from each device, from CPU and BIOS types to network, video and storage information.
Inventory reports are displayed either for a single PC; a selected department; just teachers or a specific classroom PC; or condition-based “Dynamic Groups”.
A Contracts module is also provided to record both leases and maintenence contracts associated with any school devices or peripherals, including supplier details, contract expiry dates and costs.
Hardware Inventory updates are configured to run at different time intervals throughout the day or at start-up and can be refreshed instantly on demand. A standalone inventory component is available to run on non-networked or mobile devices and in addition, high value peripherals can also be associated and recorded against a device, perfect for keeping track of school assets.
SNMP Device Discovery
The SNMP Discovery view allows NetSupport DNA to be configured to scan a range of network addresses and report on any appropriate devices discovered across the school, such as printers and access points. These items can then be stored within DNA and real-time data (such as ink or toner levels) can be monitored from the console.
Software Inventory and Licensing
The Software Module is designed to help schools better manage licence compliance and reduce software overspend by accurately reporting installed software and proactively identifying PCs with software that has no or low usage.
A detailed summary of all programs and applications installed on each PC is provided, including Windows 8 & 10 store apps. NetSupport DNA can display the information for a selected PC, a department or a custom group and includes an extensive module for assigning and tracking licence use. The NetSupport DNA software license module supports the ongoing management of all software licences for each department, recording suppliers, purchase and invoice details, department or cost centre allocation and the tracking of maintenence contacts as well as storing PDF copies of any supporting documents.
A file scan option is also included and can be used to identify files of a certain type installed locally on devices. This could be used to ensure students’ coursework documents are not being stored locally and therefore being missed from the daily school backup routines.
Software Application Metering
The Application Metering module reports on all applications used on each PC or server, detailing the time the application was started and finished, as well as the actual time it was active.
Monitoring application use ensures software licences are assigned to the right staff / students and aren’t renewed without evidence of application activity, thus enabling cost savings.
Application usage can also be restricted for students, either fully or just by time of day. Lists of approved and restricted applications, together with times when restrictions apply, can be created and enforced centrally.
Application metering enables the school to monitor and report current licence usage levels for all installed applications and ensure that application usage complies with school policy. Reports can be presented by PC or logged-on user.
Internet Metering
Keeping our students safe online is paramount and access to new technology in education is constant. From online learning and digital resources to social media and beyond, the opportunities are countless. To ensure the successful use of online learning and to support a safe environment, it’s vital that schools are fully prepared with not just an internet safety policy in place, but also the right tools to enforce it.
The Internet Metering module provides a detailed summary of all internet activity on each PC by a student, including start and finish times for each URL visited and the active time spent on a page. Results can be reviewed by device or user. Naturally, the key to supporting an effective e-safety policy is providing effective controls. With NetSupport DNA, internet usage can be fully managed; lists of approved and restricted URLs and/or sub-URLs can be applied centrally. Once applied, NetSupport DNA can allow unrestricted access to all websites, restricted access to certain websites that have been marked as approved by the school or by blocking access to specific sites marked as inappropriate.
Access can also be controlled by time of day, perhaps only allowing access to approved gaming sites for school clubs outside of hours.
School Alerting
NetSupport DNA features an extremely powerful Alerting module allowing the system to automatically notify operators when any number of changes occurs across the school network. Building on the DNA philosophy, the system is designed to be simple to initiate and there is no limit to the number of custom alerts that can be added.
There are two types of alert: system and PC alerting. System alerts identify any changes within the data gathered by NetSupport DNA across the overall enterprise, including alerts for things like new PCs added, changes in hardware, a new application installed/removed and so on. PC alerts identify real-time changes or conditions that occur on a specific PC, such as: CPU utilisation exceeding XX% for XX minutes; free disk space falling below XX%; a key service stops (eg Antivirus); print spooler alerts; security alerts (eg failed login attempts on a teacher’s PC); and much more.
Alert notifications can be directed to specified email recipients and/or active console users (on a per alert basis, so the nature of the alert may dictate which operators are notified). In addition, outstanding alerts are identified against matching PCs on the main hierarchy tree view. Once alerts have been identified, notes can be added by an operator. A full history of all alerts is accessible from the History feature.
Software Distribution
NetSupport DNA provides a multi-delivery option for Software Distribution.
A software distribution package is created by either applying parameters to a collection of files or folders or by using the DNA application packager – recording the user prompts, keystrokes and mouse clicks that are used during a test installation, and then automating these on a live deployment to bypass the need for operator intervention.
Once created, the application package can be automatically “pushed” to the target PCs in the school for deployment or, alternatively, it can be “published”. Once published, a user can check to see which applications are available for their PC, based on their faculty, and “pull” these down on demand.
NetSupport DNA includes a Scheduling feature, allowing packages to be deployed on a specific date and time – usually out of core school hours when network traffic is at its lowest.
With remote deployments, such as multi-site schools, the need to minimise network traffic congestion becomes a priority. In this case, NetSupport DNA allows a client PC, ideally local to the target machines, to be nominated as a distribution point. When the software is deployed, rather than being sent to each remote PC directly, it is just sent to the designated PC which then acts as a relay and redistributes it to its local PCs.
Energy Monitoring and Power Management
The Energy Monitoring module provides a simple and concise high-level summary of potential energy wastage across the school by office and classroom computer systems that are left powered on out of school hours.
NetSupport DNA checks to verify the powered-on state of all computers and its local monitoring component keeps an accurate record of each time a computer is powered on, off or hibernates. Once it knows the times of day each computer was operational, an average (and customisable) “power consumption per device” calculation is used, facilitating a baseline energy usage calculation for all computers.
With this information to hand, computers in selected classrooms can be set to automatically power off at a specified time at the end of each day and then power back on the next morning.
Endpoint Security
NetSupport DNA provides a simple and effective solution for managing the use of USB memory sticks to help maintain the security of the school network. The use of memory sticks can be controlled across the entire school or just for specific departments, staff or students. Usage can be set to allow full access, block all access, allow read-only access or prevent applications being run from an unknown memory stick. Alternatively, individual memory sticks can be “authorised” in NetSupport DNA and the use of sticks in the school can then also be limited to only those authorised.
A program administrator can connect a memory stick to their local PC and then authorise its use within the DNA console for either a given department or a specific teacher. Teachers or students who connect an unauthorised memory stick to their PC can also request remote authorisation where appropriate. Not only does NetSupport DNA identify both removable (memory stick) and portable (mobile phone, tablet, camera) storage devices, it also provides similar usage controls over CD / DVD devices (including USB and virtual).
Desktop utilisation
NetSupport DNA is designed to ensure you have maximum visibility of your school’s assets, from the classroom to the ICT suite and the library. System reports highlight PC and application usage to ensure under-utilised PCs can be identified and then re-deployed. In addition, “dynamic groups” enable technicians to designate and track technology due for replacement or upgrade. A great feature to help support both procurement and budget planning.
User reporting ensures a school can instantly see who’s doing what and where. In addition, it reveals if software licences deployed are actually being used and, as a result, whether an annual renewal for the licence is justified. NetSupport DNA will also highlight when PCs are left on out of hours and energy is wasted.
e-safety
NetSupport DNA, together with its optional classroom management module, provides a range of features to support a school-wide e-saftey policy. Within DNA, this includes both Internet Monitoring and restrictions to prevent access to inappropriate websites; disabling webcams on classroom devices; controlling access to content on memory sticks; triggering Alerts when violations occur − through to the enforcement of acceptable usage policies.
The classroom management module, NetSupport School, adds keyword and Instant Messenger monitoring, real-time activity metering, viewing student screens in the classroom and much more.
Keyword and Phrase monitoring
The Keyword and phrase monitoring feature in NetSupport DNA is designed to provide a school with insight into and alerts from, any activity by a student that might suggest the child is engaged in activity that would place them at risk.
A database of pre-supplied keywords and phrases is used covering a range of topics from self harm, bullying and racism through to risks of radicalisation. NetSupport works with national organisations including the Internet Watch Foundation to access the latest keyword databases as well as undertakes “in-school” consulting with students across age groups to access the latest trending terms used by young people. Schools can also add their own keywords and these can later be exported for sharing with other schools, if required.
NetSupport DNA then employs advanced neurolinguistics to ensure accurate detection and matches and to avoid unnecessary “false alarms”. Keywords and phrases can have individual severity levels set which control the outcome on matching, from simple recording of the activity, through to triggering an instant alerts or screen capture. In addition to the instant alerts raised for higher severity cases, a simple word cloud is displayed for each category showing instances of all matching low level keywords and phrases over a given period, ensuring schools can monitor trending items that might subsequently warrant intervention.
DNA provides the option to monitor keywords and phrases when students type text, copy text to a clipboard or when they search on the internet. Staff can also choose whether to exclude certain applications from monitoring to reduce the occurrence of false alarms. So, for example, if students are using PowerPoint or Excel, these could be omitted from monitoring – allowing staff to focus on more high-risk areas.
Report a Concern
Ensuring children can report a concern they might have is key to an effective safeguarding policy. The concept for the “report a concern” feature in NetSupport DNA is relatively simple, namely to provide an option on each School PC where any student can discreetly report a concern that they have to someone that they trust at the school.
Within the remit of safeguarding, concerns raised could be anything from bullying, to abuse at home, emotional stress, or simply being witness to concerning behaviour by another student.
The module allows the school to define as many staff as they decide on the system, students, from any DNA enabled PC can then select which of those staff they wish to direct their concern to. The member of staff is instantly alerted when a concern is raised and can then track the concern and record any follow up actions directly from within NetSupport DNA. Senior staff and safeguarding leads at the school can be assigned rights to view all concerns raised and will be alerted if any concern is not actioned within a predefined period of time.
The key to this feature is to offer simplicity and ease of access for students with the flexibility and safeguards to ensure it is effective for use by schools.
To give students additional options to access help independently – for example, in cases of bullying or abuse – NetSupport DNA also provides a link they can access for additional online resources and helplines in their chosen country. Staff can also manage the pre-populated list and add any additional ones they feel are appropriate.
User Management
NetSupport DNA provides a range of features to locate and manage users within a networked environment. In addition to key user data (name, telephone etc) DNA provides the school with the ability to customise the data to be gathered and collated from each device owner, including tracking of user acceptance forms. DNA also keeps a history of changes to the data entered in User Data. Changes to custom user details are recorded, including the following fields: Staff Number, Location, Asset Tag and Owner.
Other supporting tools include real-time chat and messaging, a real-time system status view for all devices, as well as a range of system admin features.
Enforce Acceptable Use Policies
Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) form an integral part of the key information security policies used by most schools. It is common practice for new staff and students to sign an AUP before using school resources for the first time, or to confirm they have read any changes to such a policy whenever it is updated.
NetSupport DNA provides a flexible module to support the delivery and tracking of AUPs across a school. Policies can be applied either to specific devices (eg PCs in the library) for display each time any user logs on, or to users for one-time display and acknowledgement. The Acceptable Use Policy feature can support multiple policies (e.g. separate staff / student templates), which can then be formatted for clear presentation. Full tracking and exception reporting is also provided.
Print Monitoring
NetSupport DNA includes a high-level Print Monitoring feature. Individual printers across the school are automatically identified and, from the central console view, costs for printing (black and white, colour and so on) can be assigned either globally or against each different printer. Where required, printers can also be excluded from the view. A full overview of printing activities and indicative costs across the enterprise is provided by NetSupport DNA.
Enterprise Reporting
NetSupport DNA provides both on-screen and print-optimised reporting. The on-screen reports / views are provided with supporting bar and pie charts and “live” drill down capabilities on all key summary data. As well as reporting on individual devices, users and departments, NetSupport DNA also features dynamic groups. These are user-defined and added to the main hierarchy tree. A dynamic group could, for example, be to identify which classroom PCs are upgradeable and such a group would be created automatically from those that match the required criteria – such as “all PCs with more than ‘XX’ Gb Ram, ‘XX’ Gb free disk space and XX processor type” and so on.
Print optimised reports are designed for management reporting and can be scheduled for creation and output to a specified file location automatically. All reports include the option to print or export to PDF, DOC and XLS.
NetSupport also supports custom views for all data; the Query Tool provides users with an easy interface for defining custom views. The query tool uses a simple drag and drop field picker, supported with conditions and sum-based features.
Mobile Inventory
Provided as a supporting tool for NetSupport DNA, the Inventory app can be downloaded free from the Google Play and Apple app stores. The DNA mobile app allows a school technician, when away from their desk, to search for and view a detailed Hardware and Software Inventory for any PC on campus. The mobile app also includes a QR code scanner to help instantly identify any PC, either from an on-screen QR code displayed by DNA, or from a label fixed to the device. NetSupport DNA also provides a QR code label creation facility including displaying custom details. A history of all hardware changes as well as any software installs or removals are also shown on the app.
In addition to the Inventory and History views, the NetSupport DNA mobile app also highlights any new PC alerts that have triggered across the school network.
Classroom Management (optional)
NetSupport is recognised globally as being the leader in classroom management and orchestration software. NetSupport School is the award winning classroom solution delivering a complete range of monitoring, testing, collaboration and orchestration tools for any classroom environment.
NetSupport School helps teachers and trainers improve the efficiency of ICT teaching by delivering a suite of tailored features developed with teachers, for teachers. Teachers and assistants can instruct students centrally to all their own devices; help maintain student focus by monitoring and controlling the use of apps, web sites, printers and more; support student learning using unique digital journals; utilise the unique student toolbar to highlight lesson objectives and expected outcomes; and deliver targeted student and peer assessment with a unique Question and Answer module, surveys or pre-prepared tests.
In addition, NetSupport School features a monitoring app for teaching assistants to use in the classroom.
Remote Control (optional)
As a natural partner to IT asset management, NetSupport DNA is fortunate to be able to offer NetSupport Manager remote control. With 25 years of awards and 13 million+ users, NetSupport Manager is recognised as the best in class for secure remote control.
Accessed from the DNA console on your desktop, tablet or smartphone, NetSupport Manager provides seamless and secure access to workstations and servers across your enterprise, both locally when in the school and remotely when off site or mobile.
NetSupport Manager features true multi-platform remote control: monitor and view of dozens of devices in a single view; transfer files or updates to one or multiple devices simultaneously; remotely view and edit the Registry; manage services and processes; conduct an audio chat; share screens or even show your screen to others; access interactive training tools; and much more.
ServiceDesk (optional)
Designed to integrate with NetSupport DNA or operate as a standalone solution, NetSupport ServiceDesk ticks all the boxes as a fully functioning ITIL-compliant IT Service Management (ITSM) tool, supporting the key areas of ITIL’s best practice framework – Incident, Problem, Change and Service Level Management. Used with NetSupport DNA and our remote access solution, NetSupport Manager, support teams have a complete network management toolkit.
NetSupport ServiceDesk can be accessed through a web browser by any user from their desktop or mobile device and allows for the customisation of many key features within the solution. From operator functionality to the creation of specific data entry fields, it can be tailored to fit seamlessly into your organisation.
Powerful and customisable workflow rules help ensure delivery of an efficient and timely service in line with agreed service levels, automated email processing helps deliver further time savings and, with NetSupport ServiceDesk’s customer-friendly self-service portal, users are able to search for answers before even logging a support request.
Benefits
NetSupport DNA is designed to be easy to deploy and, more importantly, easy to use. The console provides a welcome screen with an engaging dashboard that presents key current statistics and is designed to ensure quick and clear access to all relevant data without the need for extensive user training.
NetSupport DNA benefits schools by helping to :
Reduce IT Costs – by identifying hardware that can either be redeployed or upgraded rather than replaced; tracking software licence deployment and, critically, licence usage – thereby avoiding costly renewals for software no longer needed; monitoring print usage across the school; energy monitoring and deployment of a power management policy in relevant areas of the school.
Deliver a safer environment – by monitoring and controlling internet use (set by department or user group) with approved and restricted URL lists. Control by time of day; control access to content with granular endpoint security across the school; deliver user acceptance policies; monitor students in the classroom, and much more.
Save Time – with proactive warning alerts of issues across the network – from server failure, low disk space, unauthorised software installs, through to license compliance and student help requests. Generate reports automatically and routinely for the Senior Leadership Team and use the supporting Mobile apps to ensure key data is accessible for IT staff from wherever they are.
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