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JSR Micro had difficulty ensuring that software on the desktops and laptops of remote users was adequately patched and correctly licensed. The IT department could not be sure that all users were applying critical operating system patches on time, and computers kept offsite often had outdated versions of software installed.

In addition, most computers had licences for several pieces of software that were rarely used, representing a significant waste of capital investment. JSR Micro wanted to deliver the relevant applications to each user in a stable, centrally managed desktop environment, to enable better security and licensing compliance.

JSR Micro chose a thin-client desktop architecture, delivering all applications through Citrix* Metaframe*. The company trialled Microsoft* Active Directory* to control user access but found the performance to be inadequate. Integration with other components of the infrastructure was difficult, and the need for a separate physical server to run the domain controller made this option both costly and complex.

JSR Micro engaged QualIT (www.qualit.be), a specialist systems integrator for heterogeneous environments, to enable seamless authentication for Citrix. QualIT deployed Novell ZENworks on Novell Open Enterprise Server to manage the standardised Citrix desktops, interfacing with Novell eDirectory™ for authentication. The company used policies in ZENworks to "lock down" the desktops and protect them from accidental damage by users.

JSR Micro now uses Novell ZENworks for both office-based and remote computers, to upgrade applications, deliver operating system security patches and distribute the Citrix client. JSR Micro also implemented Novell SecureLogin to power a single sign-on solution for its core business applications, including an SAP ERP solution and a document management system.

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It was contributed by a community member and is published "as is." It seems to have worked for at least one person, and might work for you. But please be sure to test, test, test before you do anything drastic with it.