The solution - InterJigsaw

To assist in the administration of complex networks Akhter have developed InterJigsaw which is a powerful yet simple to use network management solution. Designed with a user-friendly interface both technicians and less skilled staff benefit from efficient procedures. Implementing InterJigsaw enables many administration tasks to be delegated to less technical staff.

The current version of InterJigsaw has been designed for use on Active Directory networks using Windows 2000 or 2003 server and Windows XP clients.

Why is Akhter InterJigsaw XP special?
During the development of InterJigsaw Akhter engineers researched the requirements of System Administrators and developed a product that increased efficiency in carrying out day-to-day tasks. Within major organisations skilled technicians are often frustrated at the amount of time consumed by repetitive administration, when using the native Windows environment. Implementing InterJigsaw cuts the time spent on such tasks, enabling IT people to concentrate on issues that demand their

Policy management
Windows XP uses policies to control many aspects of the workstation configuration.
This allows an administrator to centrally manage a large number of workstations and users without having to visit each individual workstation. Although the policy system is very powerful it is also complex and requires a high level of skill to implement correctly. InterJigsaw manages many common XP policies through a simple to use front end. When a new user group is created a policy is automatically created with certain operating system features locked down by default.
The InterJigsaw console can modify these policy settings through it's user-friendly interface.

Secure data management
When creating user accounts InterJigsaw creates home directories on a specified domain controller or member server. The User's 'my documents' folder is redirected to this server based folder so that data is stored on the server rather than on individual workstations. User's data is backed up regularly and available from any workstation. InterJigsaw automatically sets permissions on home folders to prevent unauthorised access to user data. Storing data on a central file server rather than on a workstation makes it much easier to rebuild or replace the workstation in the event of a system corruption or hardware problem.

InterJigsaw also creates a shared folder that allows group users to exchange and share common files.

Creating groups is simple
Creating a User Group can be time consuming using the native Windows environment. InterJigsaw makes this process as simple as entering a Group name and pressing the return key. InterJigsaw creates everything necessary including a default policy for the Group, data areas for the user home folders and logon scripts. User groups can be created on any domain controller or member server in the domain and InterJigsaw provides a single consistent view of the data.

Creating user accounts is simple too
Creating a new user account takes just seconds to do. Just tell InterJigsaw, which group the user belongs to and it will automatically create the necessary system objects, home folder, profile folder and set the appropriate access permissions. The account is immediately ready for the user to log-on.

Bulk importer system
The InterJigsaw importer system allows a large number of user accounts to be imported in seconds from an existing CSV (Comma Separated Values) data file. This CSV files can often be created from accounting systems, Microsoft Excel or even Notepad. The importer performs a wide range of checks to ensure that the CSV file is valid before the accounts are created. A logon can be generated from any characters in the user's full name. You can also include random numbers or letters in these calculated fields to generate random passwords.

Central printer control
In a large network where users log on to any workstation (e.g. in a school or college) managing printers can become a nightmare. InterJigsaw can automatically connect users to the correct shared network printers when they logon to a workstation. The printer connections are based on the defined location of the workstation. For example, within InterJigsaw you specify that a particular workstation is located in Room 72, then configure one or more printers also to be in this location. It is not necessary for the user to run the printer connection wizard or for an administrator to install the printer locally on the workstation.

Disk quotas
Windows Server 2000 and 2003 have a Disk Quota System built into the NTFS filing system. The problem with using this via Windows is that the Disk Quota entries have to be managed separately from the user accounts and also managed on each specific server. This makes it very difficult to perform such tasks as updating the quota settings for all users in a specific group. InterJigsaw fully integrates with the Windows Disk Quota System to provide a much easy to use system with additional functionality. For example disk quotas are automatically updated when a user is moved between groups and disk quota entries are automatically deleted when the user account is deleted.

Exchange integration
InterJigsaw now has the ability to create Exchange mailboxes when user accounts are created.

Teacher console
InterJigsaw can operate in a reduced functionality mode called the teacher console. This provides teachers with a method for changing user passwords, accessing the group shared area or home folders, etc.

File publisher
Using InterJigsaw you can deploy one or more files directly into the home folders of selected Users. This is very useful for distributing project files, homework or other resources.

Control safe surfing module
You can use InterJigsaw to control the optional Akhter InterGenie module that allows safe surfing, providing access to over 10,000 pre-approved websites. The number of sites is growing all the time. Details of InterGenie are featured on page 10.

InterJigsaw - major features at a glance

User account administration
• Automatic creation and maintenance of active directory structure
• Complete user account lifecycle management
• Rapid creation and deletion of user groups and user accounts
• Move user accounts/data across servers
• Bulk user account importer
• Quick search facility
• Simple integrated view of user accounts and user data
• Automatic creation of logon scripts
• Automatic creation of exchange mail boxes
• List home folder/profile usage

Ruggedised user environment
• Control desktops and start menus by group
• Drag and drop desktop/start menu editor
• Simplified management of XP policies
• Automatic XP policy creation
• Hide/restrict access to specific drive letters
• My documents redirected to server based home folder
• Control Akhter InterGenie Internet access levels
• Control access to Internet Explorer settings
• Workstation locking

Printer control
• Defined locations list
• Automatic printer mapping
• Handles roaming laptops

Miscellaneous
• Profile deletion feature
• Automatic workstation ping utility
• Scan/repair diagnostics
• Integration with virtual CD
• Publish files to users home folder
• Integration with Windows Disk Quota system

InterJigsaw Console
Unlike many other network administration tools, InterJigsaw leverages existing Microsoft technologies to get the job done. Unlike many other third party management tools, InterJigsaw fully integrates with the existing Windows Disk Quota system to provide an enhanced and easier method to control disk space usage.

As InterJigsaw integrates with the Windows operating system it allows skilled administrators to adjust the network settings using the native Windows environment without breaking the functionality of InterJigsaw. With competitive tools administrators are often barred from changing system settings and by doing so affect the level of support provided by the vendor.

Akhter continue to review and develop its products in response to customer needs and technology changes. Updates are provided to existing customers as part of the support agreement.

InterJigsaw Management functions
InterJigsaw has a number of primary network management functions:

User Account Management
InterJigsaw's template system ensures that account management is easy. Accounts are rapidly created, maintained, moved and deleted. Using a simple drag and drop operation InterJigsaw can move user accounts and the associated data between different file servers.

Desktop and start menu management
InterJigsaw creates a desktop and start menu for each group of users. This desktop/start menu is stored on a central server so that the user will obtain the correct group desktop/start menu wherever they logon to the network. A system administrator can select which application shortcuts are available on the desktop and start menu for each user group ensuring that users within the group can only run permitted applications. Where required this feature can be switched off for a group allowing the user to access the local workstation desktop and start menu.

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