What to Expect with Managed Desktop

Overview

The Managed Desktop service (MDS) lets departments centrally manage their desktop computers using automated processes. It expands on the current tools being used to manage computers at Stanford, including BigFix, Stanford Desktop Tools for Windows and Stanford Desktop Tools for Macintosh, and Desktop Configuration Management.

Managed Desktop allows changes to be made to a system without end-user intervention, essentially relieving you of maintenance responsibility. Occasionally, Managed Desktop may prompt you to perform an action to complete a configuration or upgrade process. This might include running an installer that has been downloaded to your computer by Stanford Desktop Tools, acknowledging the change in a configuration setting, or restarting your computer after a change has been made.

Indications your computer is managed by Managed Desktop

Managed Desktop uses Stanford Desktop Tools (SDT) for its user interface. The way to tell whether your computer is being managed by Managed Desktop is to launch Stanford Desktop Tools and look for the following:

• SDT icon: If your computer is managed by Managed Desktop, the SDT icon in the notification area (Windows) or dock (Mac) is gray.  The icon for the unmanaged  version of SDT is red.
   
  • Managed Icon:
     
  • Unmanaged Icon:
• Title bar: When you launch SDT, the title bar in the main window will read "Stanford Desktop Tools - Managed Mode."
• Tabs: With Managed Desktop, the main SDT window will contain two tabs: Software and Settings.
  • The Software tab lists all of the programs installed on your computer that are being kept up-to-date by Managed Desktop.
  • The Settings tab  lists all of the security settings that are maintained by Managed Desktop.
  
• View menu: A Managed Desktop command has been added to the menu.
  
  

Software management with Managed Desktop

Updating and installing software

Stanford Desktop Tools (SDT) is a subscription service that distributes software and software updates. When you launch Stanford Desktop Tools, all the programs that are installed on your computer and being managed by Managed Desktop are displayed.

Managed Desktop does not maintain all of the programs installed on your computer. It maintains only the programs that have been authorized for all of Stanford University (the programs available on the Essential Stanford Software site) and programs that have been authorized for your organization by your BigFIx Console Operator.

If an application is listed in the SDT main window, you can install or upgrade the program from there. However, it is not necessary to do so because Managed Desktop will install or upgrade the program for you in the background when it receives the installer from BigFix.

Managed Desktop will notify you if a program was installed or security setting was changed that requires restarting your computer.  You are able to delay the restart, but it is recommended that you restart as soon as possible after being notified.

Managing software subscriptions

Clicking the Manage Subscriptions link in the SDT main window opens the Preferences window. Here you can see the applications that are being managed. A red ball indicates that a program is required.

If a program is required, it cannot be uninstalled using SDT. If you manually uninstall a required program, Managed Desktop will reinstall it later.

If a program is not required, you can uninstall the program if you don't need it. However, if the program is installed on your computer, Managed Desktop will keep it up-to-date. To uninstall a program, select the program and then click Uninstall.

If a program is listed in Available Applications, you can click Subscribe and Managed Desktop will install the application the next time it runs updates and will keep the program up-to-date.

Assistance

Your BigFix Console Operator can help customize Managed Desktop for the needs of your department. For example:

• If a security setting is inappropriate for you or inhibits your ability to do your job, contact your local BigFix Console Operator. Request that the setting be overridden for your BigFix Group/Subgroup. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and can easily be accommodated.
• If you want to add more software to the list of managed software for your group, contact your local BigFix Console Operator. Request that additional software be maintained for your group by Managed Desktop. Keep in mind that some software must be licensed for use.
• If you want to request that a particular required application be removed from the list of managed software, contact your BigFix Console Operator. 

If you want to remove your computer from the Managed Desktop service, please submit a HelpSU request.