System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Capabilities

Configuration Manager takes a user-centric approach to application delivery that allows administrators to create one application that can be delivered to all of a user’s devices. It evaluates device and network capabilities to deliver applications in the most optimal way for the user, whether that is through a local installation, streaming through App-V, or a presentation server. The SP1 release also adds the ability to determine if a device is using a 3G or 4G wireless network connection, giving administrators a way to prevent application downloads that would result in unwanted data charges.

Configuration Manager enables users to be productive on the devices of their choice while keeping your environment secure and compliant. With the SP1 release, integration with Windows Intune provides a single administrative console for managing policies and providing comprehensive asset and compliance reporting across mobile devices, including Windows RT, Windows Phone 8, iOS, and Android. The SP1 release also includes the ability to manage and deploy thin clients, POS devices, and other Windows Embedded devices, as well as create and provision Windows To Go portable workspaces.

Configuration Manager reduces the complexity and cost of implementing virtual environments by providing a single, unified tool to manage all your client desktops, thin clients, mobile devices, and virtual desktops. It extends inventory, updating, and configuration capabilities to VDI sessions and orchestrates application delivery across multiple desktop virtualization platforms.

Configuration Manager serves as the infrastructure for Microsoft System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection, delivering a single solution for malware protection, identification, and remediation of vulnerabilities, while giving visibility into non-compliant systems. With the SP1 release, this endpoint protection capability now includes real-time operational response.

Configuration Manager allows you to create a baseline for “desired configuration state”, then ensure that all user devices comply with that baseline through either auto remediation or alerts. Configuration Manager also integrates with Microsoft System Center Service Manager to automatically create incidents on baseline drift. The SP1 release extends this policy management capability to include Windows client-side caching, roaming user profiles, and folder redirection.

Configuration Manager continues to simplify the complex task of delivering and managing updates to IT systems across the enterprise. IT administrators can deliver updates of Microsoft products, third-party applications, hardware drivers, and system BIOS to a variety of devices, including desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile devices.

Configuration Manager helps you get more out of your energy-saving hardware by providing a comprehensive set of power management tools to enable centralized client power management. It works with the power management capabilities built into your Windows operating system to enable administrators to optimize power settings at a granular level.

Configuration Manager simplifies the complex task of distributing operating systems to physical desktops, servers, laptops, and mobile devices across enterprise networks and eliminates the inefficiencies and errors associated with manually installing applications. The SP1 release provides operating system deployment for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.

Configuration Manager monitors and evaluates client health across your client environments. It displays client health evaluation results and the client activities directly in the Configuration Manager console, providing alerting and remediation capabilities should health statistics fall below established thresholds.

Configuration Manager includes asset intelligence technologies that provide administrators with continuous visibility into hardware and software assets and usage. Asset Intelligence translates inventory data into information, providing rich reports that help administrators with software purchasing decisions, upgrade plans, and license reporting.

Configuration Manager can inventory hardware and software in your organization to help give you a view into what resources you have. The new release helps you enable custom hardware inventory more easily, along with extending the inventory schema.