Odyssey Software this week unveiled the latest console extensions for Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 and Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 to its Athena mobile management solution. The update, version 3.0, adds feature packs to further extend the remote Windows Mobile and Windows Embedded CE device management capabilities for these platforms in the enterprise.

Here's what the new console extensions bring to the table:

 

Phone Feature Pack - By exposing phone and text, multi-media and email-messaging statistics as well cell tower association, this enhanced Feature Pack allows better management of the quality of service from carriers, according to Odyssey. These statistics also provide management with information helpful in managing productivity as well as assistance in communication compliance requirements.

 

Positioning Feature Pack - To improve logistics and security for devices with an onboard GPS receiver, this new Feature Pack exposes location based information and allows the information to be captured to show breadcrumb trails of the devices current position using mapping applications such as Google Maps and Bing Maps. It also provides logging based upon specified time intervals or distance changes enabling devices to be highlighted that are not moving or which travel outside a specific range.

 

Security Feature Pack - If a device is lost or stolen, this upgraded Feature Pack provides management with enhanced security of devices by providing the ability to lock, and if necessary, completely wipe data from devices.

 

Help Desk Utility - This tool will allow Help Desk personnel to take action on Athena managed devices without requiring an IT administrator to provide administration rights to Help Desk personnel via the Configuration Manager 2007 or SMS 2003 console.

 

Software Patches and Hot Fixes - Improved support for enabling software patches and hot fixes to previous installations of Athena will make it easier for existing Athena customers to make the most out of their Athena installations.

See the links below and here for more on Odyssey's Athena platform.