Installing this tool is easy and only takes a few minutes after launching the initial setup wizard. At the completion of the wizard, all configuration and management is done via an intuitive management console application. The console itself is not only easy to navigate and use, but has a large amount of configurable options. The tab-top design of the application also enables administrators to easily navigate between scanning and remediation tasks, as well as providing a dashboard that provides an overview of information, including trends, missing patches and asset details.
We find this solution to combine a lot of powerful tools and information in one nicely designed application. We really like that all tasks, information, reporting and remediation information was all there and well-organized at the click of the mouse. This product is also not burdened by IP limitations. As long as the license supports it, this product can scan and manage up to 5,000 machines - all from a single console - and then provide automated patch management and remediation. Beyond simple patch management and vulnerability scanning, this offering also can perform many asset management tasks, including scanning for and removing unauthorized applications, checking for anti-virus applications and making sure they are up to date, and performing full software inventory throughout the environment.
Documentation includes several PDF guides. Among these are installation, administration and supplemental scripting guides. Additionally, a SmartGuide provides some basic information on deployment and planning. The scripting guide provides scripting information for advanced installations. The installation guide and administration guide, however, are the bulk of the documentation. These both provide in-depth installation, configuration and management information. We find all documentation to be easy to follow.
GFI provides the first year of technical support as part of the initial license cost of the product. After the first year, customers can purchase additional assistance as part of an ongoing agreement. Support offered by GFI includes both phone and email based technical help, downloadable bug fixes and patches, web-based chat and access to downloadable "dot" releases. Customers also get full access to an online knowledge base and a user forum.
At a price starting at around $10 per seat for 100-249 seats, we find this product to be an excellent value for the money. GFI LanGuard combines features from vulnerability assessment, patch management and remediation, inventory management and asset management all in one easy-to-use application that can be installed on almost any already existing machine in the network.