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Intel's decision to Spin Off its LANDesk desktop-management suite and the product's related software properties into a separate company isn't necessarily bad for customers, even though the Intel brand denoted stability. But Microsoft is certain to make it difficult for the new LANDesk company to thrive.

Over the past year, Intel added some useful features to LANDesk, including the zero-footprint inventory scanner and inventory service.

A separate company will let LANDesk get out from under Intel's on-again, off-again marketing. Recently, it appeared that Intel had gone silent on LANDesk -- despite the product improvements -- in the face of Microsoft's System Management Server.

Microsoft, meantime, has started previewing SMS 3. Although the update isn't likely to be available until mid-2003, its pending arrival will have a chilling effect on LANDesk sales, since companies evaluating desktop-management suites may want to wait for the new SMS before choosing. However, the wait ultimately may serve customers well, as LANDesk will have a few months to get its act together.