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Tracking assets is a pain in the distribution and a surefire way to tie up your network bandwidth. We found relief in Microsoft Corp.'s Systems Management Server (SMS), Hewlett-Packard Co.'s OpenView Desktop Administrator and Intel Corp.'s LANDesk.

SMS piles on good inventory, full-featured software installation and smart use of bandwidth. Focusing on Windows management, installation and inventory are enhanced with protocol analysis and outstanding bandwidth reservation. Software distribution to Windows workstations is SMS' strongest suit. Integration with inventory for the creation of targets, software installation using a scripted or delta-based install, and drivers that are aware of specific protocols squeezed SMS into the lead.

Honorable mention HP bought Desktop Administrator from Symantec Corp., but that didn't end the development of this application. We were impressed by its detailed hardware and software inventory.

Intel's LANDesk Management Suite has a strong Windows heritage, and it uses a file manager-like interface to navigate the software-distribution components of inventory.

Systems Management Server 1.2, $695 per server, $54 per client,
Microsoft Corp.,
(800) 426-9400,
www.microsoft.com/smsmgmt.