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Configure Netscape Communicator for the Enterprise
By using Mission Control Desktop, IT managers can maintain a consistent configuration across the enterprise by setting or locking client preferences. This prevents end users from misconfiguring their client, thereby decreasing help desk calls and desktop visits.
With Configuration Editor, IT managers can default or lock hundreds of Communicator preferences. Among other things, managers can:
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Configure helper applications
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Configure multiple IMAP mail servers
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Customize the directory search list
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Configure digital certificates
Deploy Communicator Within the Intranet
After configuring Communicator preferences, IT managers can use Install Builder to easily create a customized Communicator installer to be distributed to end users. IT managers can make the following enterprise customizations:
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Preload installs with the configuration file created by Configuration Editor, bookmarks specific to the business, an address book preloaded with contact information, and mail messages welcoming new employees.
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Run Communicator and user profiles locally on a user’s computer or with a network install in a shared network environment.
Centrally Manage Communicator
Once Communicator is installed on desktops, IT managers need to be able to adapt to the changing needs of the business. With Netscape Console, Netscape provides a single point of administration for intranet and extranet software. With Messenger Control and Roaming Access Control (Mission Control Desktop applications for Netscape Console), an IT organization can leverage its directory server infrastructure to centrally manage Communicator at a user or group level. IT managers can also centrally manage Communicator’s global settings from a single server-side configuration file.
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Messenger Control enables IT managers to easily store user and group configurations in a directory server.
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Roaming Access Control enables IT managers to easily deploy and manage roaming users. IT managers can quickly set up roaming HTTP or LDAP servers, decide which users require roaming access, and decide which files roam with the user to manage security and bandwidth issues.
Automatically Distribute Updates to Communicator
With Mission Control Desktop, IT managers can distribute software to end user desktops. Using the SmartUpdate feature of Communicator, managers can automatically install and upgrade Communicator and other desktop applications. This feature works across 12 supported platforms and 21 other platforms on which Communicator is available.
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SmartUpdate packages in Netscape Communicator have the ability to patch, replace, or install new files, reducing the size of Communicator upgrades by 50 to 80 percent.
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Communicator upgrades contain step-by-step documentation on how to roll out a SmartUpdate package to end user desktops.
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All software installed using a SmartUpdate package can be uninstalled. The preferences dialog box contains an option that allows software installed with SmartUpdate packages to be selectively uninstalled.
Use SmartUpdate to Distribute Software
In addition to upgrading Communicator, SmartUpdate packages can be used to distribute other software. With SmartUpdate Builder and Netscape Signing Tool, IT managers can easily create SmartUpdate packages for securely distributing software across the enterprise. This software may include things such as documents, Java applications, Communicator plug-ins, or native applications. With uninstall, IT managers can centrally remove software from desktops as well.
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