Why is using Desktop Authority so much quicker than writing logon scripts?
Desktop Authority’s easy to use graphical interface replaces the work accomplished by even the most complicated scripts. This is done by presenting the administrator with a GUI representation of all the key areas involved in desktop configuration. Desktop Authority’s patented Validation Logic makes it infinitely easier to select when and where those configuration are applied, at an extremely granular level. Additionally, testing scripts for different OS versions, debugging code, and beta testing in a test lab environment are eliminated with Desktop Authority.

What desktop platforms does it support? I still have too many Windows 9x boxes on my network. What about server versions? I am still running a Windows NT domain!
Almost all of Desktop Authority’s desktop configuration abilities cover from Windows 95 through Windows XP. Desktop Authority can be installed on a Windows domain running on servers from Windows NT through Windows 2003. While Active Directory is not a requirement, some of the Validation Logic options will not work without it.

How much of my logon script will it replace? How long will it take?
Desktop Authority covers every aspect of desktop configuration: from drive mappings to registry changes to application rollouts. Anything Desktop Authority cannot do natively can be accomplished using a small amount of custom scripting applied with the control of Validation Logic to determine exactly for whom and when it is run. Configuring all your desktops is quick and easy, with huge time savings over the ordeal of writing and maintaining traditional scripts.

How long does it take to set up? Does it require me to install software on my desktops?
Setup takes only a few minutes using the Desktop Authority Installation Wizard. Clients do not need to install any software to utilise Desktop Authority; the user only needs to have SLogic.bat specified as their Logon Script - a task automated by Desktop Authority.

I need a desktop management solution with full reporting. Does
Desktop Authority have that?
Yes. Desktop Authority maintains two SQL databases (stored in either MSDE or SQL server) – one for the configurations and one for reporting. The configuration database contains all of the profiles, elements, and settings. The Reporting database contains collected hardware and software inventory, user activity, and data related to patch deployment and spyware removal. Desktop Authority has built-in and custom reporting on all of the information found in both databases.

We use Group Policies for all our desktop configurations – does
Desktop Authority replace Group Policies?
While administrators can choose to continue to use Group Policies for various aspects of desktop configuration, Desktop Authority can be used to either complement or to some extent replace Group Policies. In the critical areas which Group Policies do not address, such as Drives, Printers, Outlook Profiles, Inactivity, Patch Management and Spyware Removal, Desktop Authority is the ideal solution.

Desktop Authority supports import of the settings found in Administrative Templates. This gives administrators the ability to not only push out those settings, but to utilize Desktop Authority's patented Validation Logic to graphically select the level of granularity to determine who will get the configuration. Instead of being limited to just 5 levels of granularity with native Group Policies (user, group, computer, OU, AD site), Validation logic uses over 30 different validation criteria, supporting multiple values with Boolean logic to create exponentially more granular selections when pushing out settings. For more information on Desktop Authority and Group Policies, see the ScriptLogic Whitepaper, Desktop Authority And AD Group Policy Objects.

Does this mean I can't use Group Policies any more?
Absolutely not! If you wish, you can continue to use Group Policies in conjunction with Desktop Authority. See the Desktop Authority and AD Group Policy Objects comparison white paper for a comprehensive list of configuration abilities of each solution.

I have several administrators that need to manage the configuration of our desktops. Can I limit what and where they can administer?
Absolutely! Desktop Authority's Role-Based Administration allows you to define the administrative roles (such as Profile Admin and Email-Only Admin) and then apply those roles to users and groups at the profile level.

Can I manage Power Settings with Desktop Authority?
Yes. Desktop Authority maintains two SQL databases (stored in either MSDE or SQL server) – one for the configurations and one for reporting. The configuration database contains all of the profiles, elements, and settings. The Reporting database contains collected hardware and software inventory, user activity, and data related to patch deployment and spyware removal. Desktop Authority has built-in and custom reporting on all of the information found in both databases.

What about my Citrix or Terminal Server environment – will this help me with my roaming profile problems?
Desktop Authority is the perfect answer for roaming profile issues, since it eliminates the need to store user configurations in a user profile. It eases the task of redirecting all of the folders containing the user’s environment which are traditionally stored in the profile. For example, Desktop Authority makes it easy to redirect the user’s desktop folder, My Documents, web cookies, favorites, etc. to a central location such as the user’s home directory. With this arrangement, the user’s environment always “follows” them, without the need for a roaming profile. For more details, please review the Citrix MetaFrame Whitepaper that covers the management of Citrix/Terminal Server environments with Desktop Authority.

I currently use ScriptLogic Enterprise Edition. How can I migrate to Desktop Authority?
ScriptLogic Enterprise has been rolled up into Desktop Authority in version 7. If your maintenance is current, you can simply download the latest version of Desktop Authority and upgrade your ScriptLogic Enterprise to Desktop Authority.