WebEx Launches SMB-Focused System Management Services

WebEx Communications today announced the WebEx System Management Service, an on-demand solution for managing remote PC assets.

WebEx System Management Service provides on-demand remote access, support, and maintenance capabilities designed to help small business owners better manage, protect, and secure software and hardware investments. The offering is especially targeted for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) who need a cost-effective way to apply proactive system management, according to the company. The new service delivers rapid access to all remote systems; patch management; online backup; streamlined software distribution and licensing compliance; asset management; virus protection, regardless of physical location.

One of the chief reasons SMBs need an on-demand solution for managing system infrastructure is an increasingly mobile workforce, according to the company. However, most existing on-premises legacy solutions are complex and difficult to integrate with existing applications.

The WebEx System Management Service has $5 to $15 per computer monthly fixed pricing, depending on the services desired (remote access, asset management, software distribution, patch management, virus protection, and/or backup management).

An automated asset discovery feature helps SMBs lower IT administration costs by automatically discovering all IP-based network devices, and identifies all changes to the network environment by scheduling recurring network scans. SMBs can also optimize their IT investments by automatically tracking all installed software and hardware. They can ensure compliance by flagging unauthorized software, and lower software license costs by tracking usage frequency and reallocating unused software licenses.The software distribution aspect of the service helps SMBs reduce the cost of deploying software with automated software updates, allowing them to reach all users, no matter where they are located, by distributing custom executables and MSI files to targeted assets.

The patch management service reduces the burden on IT administrators with centralized monitoring of new patch releases and related security risks. Patches can be automatically deployed immediately or at a schedule time, depending on what will minimize disruption to operations. This eliminates the need for small businesses to build and manage costly SUS servers.

Finally, automated backup eliminates the need for end-user action by deploying an automatic data backup across all WAN and remote users. Backups can be scheduled at any time, at any interval, after hours or at power down. Complete backups are ensured with data compression and by resuming partially completed backups.