Introduction
In this blog I will review a recent advance in support systems technology. These would be impero, netsupport and netOp. I would be talking about the advantages and disadvantages and comparing them.
Control software is software that is made for controlling what content is acceptable to users, particularly when it’s restricted to do certain things on the internet. It decides what content are going to be available. There are a variety of levels that the restrictions can be applied these are by the government e.g. applied by an ISP to customers. Then it’s by employer to staffs, school to its students, librarians to their visitors, parents to a child computer/laptop or it could be an individual to their own computers. The reason for this is to stop a person from viewing content something that might not be appropriate, without the consent of the user.
Advantages
Advantage of IT support use control software is that when students are working on the computers, teachers has an idea of the all the websites that the students are on. This is good so teachers will be able to see if they are on appropriate websites. IT support use control software is good because teachers can put on the screens what is on the teachers. The reason why this is good because it is a way to know that all students are listening and watching, also if it is a big class then the people at the back won’t need to strain their eyes. Another advantage of IT support use control software is that if there are students on websites that their not supposed to be then the teachers can easily block the HTTPS sites or lock their computers. By the teachers doing this will increase their confidence that the children are doing their work. An advantage is it works with proxies using NTLM authentication.
Disadvantages
A disadvantage of IT support use control software is that the students have no privacy when on the computers, which all students should be allowed to have. Another disadvantage is that students can’t take control of the computer when the teachers do. This could be frustrating as they might need to quickly do something on the computer, therefore the students are powerless. Another disadvantage is that private information such as emails could get leaked, as teachers could read something they aren’t supposed to. This could put students into trouble as the teachers could tell another staff and students could get in trouble depending on what the information is.
Options
Impero is software that allows teachers to recognise the need to stop students from doing things that they are not supposed to, which supports the modern learning environment. It helps keeps children on task without getting distracted. It is also made to protect students on the internet. As schools are using technology it’s hard to keep the students engaged especially when there is online distractions. With being online as well there are risks that come with it and the cost with the latest technology.
NetSupport is a solution for managing the computers in classrooms for teachers. They have tools to make sure that the computers in schools are maintained and managed that so it can available for teaching. It’s created for network managers, which it provides a view and control of all computers within an organisation. On the software it shows the activities for a chosen class, the technicians provide a console view of a school by grouping the computers to classrooms. With this software technicians can monitor all computers on the school network, transfer files and folders to children, group all computers by classrooms, and control the applications, processes and services running on each PC and many more.
NetOps is a worldwide company that remotely supports users, it securely access IT assets, manage external vendors and many more. This supports all device like work stations, mobile devices, servers etc. The vision offers tools for teachers that are straight forward to use. It makes student achieve more, and integrating technology in the classrooms, this tool is very powerful. With this software teachers can watch individual’s computer, which means they can see what everyone doing. Therefore teachers can notice when a student is not on their task.
Netstar is an IT support company for London.
The fully management makes sure that businesses are able to focus on their work, as they look after all the problems you would have. The benefits of this is that there are less IT related cost, they start working with the IT problems within 20mintues and they offer 24/7 onsite support. They also give companies expert advice like strategic support. There’s ongoing monitoring and maintenance. However, there is a disadvantage to this; this is that data protection can be comprised. Another disadvantage is companies might reliable on them too much.
IT Project manages the entire project for a company which is good as they can concentrate on other things. They also give additional and local IT Support when you need it. Also they can do comprehensive assessment and a project plan. The disadvantages for this are they have to stick to the deadlines when there is a project and follow the plans.
Helpdesk support benefits are that it is opened 24/7; day and night, there service is good and always guaranteed. Another disadvantage is that there always in the loop as in clients are always update when there is a problem. The disadvantages of this is that helpdesk could get people from aboard to help the companies out, however, they might not know the company’s well, therefore the problems might not be solved.
All of this software is similar as they all make teachers be able to control students monitor which stops them from getting distracted. It also can make teachers start the lesson on time as they can put the lesson on student’s computers and they can notice when an individual needs help. This software can also help teachers to know when a child needs help etc. However, there are some bad things about doing this; these are that they might block sites that children actually need. The students are not getting the privacy that they should be getting as young adults. Impero is the cheapest one out of all the software’s, it is also easy to setup and use. Impero is better for blocking and seeing the transgressions, with Netsupport it’s good for demonstrating and remote control.
I believe that control software is good software to have in schools and organisation as it is very useful. The software is worth having in an organisation because it can monitor people when there on the internet and also keep them safe. Although it is a lot of money its good as children can get a better education as they would be learning and not getting distracted. Another thing is that there are some shy children that won’t ask for help if they need it, so having these software allows teachers to know needs help, which is a great advantage.
Conclusion
Overall, I believe that control software is important to have because it helps teachers know what students are doing on their computers, as them knowing they can put a stop to it. This way the teachers can be more confident to know that the children’s are paying attention to them and listening. There is number of things why the software is good, however it does have its disadvantages but nothing major.
References
http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Content-control_software.html
http://www.netsupportschool.com/pdf/NetSupport_School-Technician_Console.pdf
http://www.imperosoftware.com/products/education-pro-classroom-management-software/computer-lab-management/
http://www.imperosoftware.com/products/education-pro-classroom-management-software/e-safety/
http://www.netop.com/classroom-management-software/products/netop-vision.htm
