Software License Management

[Raj]

I've recently started as "IT Coordinator" at this place. Things are ridiculously inefficient here, and its my
job to clean it up.

right now we have about 80 machines on the local network, and all computers are purchased through dell.
Whenever there is any kind of problem with any computer, the associated software and discs that came with that pc are usually lost or incomplete. In some instances, people have used other peoples software on multiple machines.

What I want to do is be able to manage all the different machines from one administrative location. I want to be able to do the following things.

1. install windows and office through a network, and not have to worry about lost discs and software.
2. somehow create a list of software licenses that we own. and be able to list which ones are in use and which ones are available.
3. do windows updates to all machines at once rather then having to physically move from machine to machine.

Is there some kind of managing solution/software that is available to help me do this?


Please advise.

Thanks,

Raj

 

[Raj]

ANYONE?

 

[amdskip]

Wow, that sounds like that place is a real mess. I'm no expert in this area but how are these machines all networked together? Are they using a novell network or what? You can install software over the network but having individual software titles like they are using now frankly sucks. You need like a site license package from Microsoft so you don't have to worry about who has which license.

 

[MrChad]

Systems Management Server can accomplish a great deal of what you want.