What About Location-Aware Laptops? Just Ask Absolute Software
The other day, Web Worker Daily pondered the existence of a location-aware laptop, and posited the AnyTrack GPS tracking device as a possible laptop add-on as a solution to this proposition. It looks like the Absolute Software Corporation is looking along the same lines with the announcement of geolocation tracking for their Computrace tracking software which previously functioned by tracking IP addresses. Any GPS-enabled laptop with Computrace can now be pinpointed to within 10 meters, viewable on Google Maps. Of course, Computrace is more of a business solution. If you’re looking to track a single laptop without spending an arm and a leg, AnyTrack is probably a better solution. Take a look at the full release after the jump.
Absolute Adds GPS Tracking to Industry-Leading Mobile IT Asset Management Suite
Absolute’s laptop management solution maps remote laptop location
VANCOUVER, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Absolute(R) Software
Corporation (”Absolute” or the “Company”) (TSX: ABT), the leading provider
of firmware-based, patented, Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and
Secure Asset Tracking(TM) solutions announced today the availability of
geolocation tracking for Computrace(R). The solution complements Absolute’s
IP tracking capabilities by allowing IT asset managers to track GPS-enabled
laptops in the field to within 10 meters (33 feet) and view reports on
their location using Google(TM) Maps technology.
“Thanks to companies like Qualcomm and their industry leading Gobi
initiative, GPS tracking information is becoming more prevalent in
computing devices. Adding geolocation tracking to Computrace bolsters the
value we deliver to our customers in two major ways,” said John Livingston,
Chairman and CEO of Absolute. “Absolute’s customers can now see where their
assets are, find them more easily and assist in the earlier detection of
missing computers. This capability is further enhanced by the visual nature
of the reports that allow users to view computers plotted on a map.
Secondly, when a computer goes missing GPS tracking information becomes a
powerful forensic tool in the hands of our experienced Theft Recovery
Team.”
How It Works
Geolocation tracking complements Absolute’s core Internet-based
tracking and reporting capabilities. Using embedded GPS receivers from
popular manufacturers, Computrace acquires latitude and longitude location
information from remote computers for display in Absolute’s Web-based IT
asset management portal. With this information, Computrace can plot the
current location of all supported GPS-enabled computers in a customer’s
account. Alternatively, the location history of an individual asset can be
viewed.
Securing and Managing Mobile Computers
Computrace’s geolocation tracking is the latest addition to the product
suite of mobile computer security and management tools from Absolute. Using
Absolute’s SaaS-delivered products, IT asset managers and compliance
personnel can:
- Track and manage computers on the LAN or in the field
- Remotely delete sensitive information for regulatory compliance
- Easily inventory all computers regardless of their location
- Remotely inventory software licenses
- Detect hardware changes or prohibited software installations
In addition, Absolute’s investigative team can deploy forensic tools to
compromised assets to physically recover lost or stolen computers and to
conduct post-theft forensic investigations into computer use.
How Computrace Solutions Work
Computrace(R) software is embedded in the firmware of computers from
the world’s leading computer manufacturers right at the factory for extreme
tamper-resistance.(1) The stealthy Computrace Agent is capable of surviving
operating system re-installations, as well as hard-drive reformats,
replacements and re-imaging. It can be activated by customers when they
purchase a subscription with terms ranging from one to four years.
When a computer is stolen, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team uses
information sent via Computrace to investigate computer thefts, document
evidence and work with local law enforcement to physically recover missing
computers and prosecute computer thieves. To augment their investigation,
the team deploys a powerful set of theft recovery tools developed by
Absolute, which include capabilities such as keystroke loggers, cameras,
location tracking (Wi-Fi triangulation, GPS) and remote access terminals.
These tools are only employed post-theft with express customer
authorization and consent and are used exclusively by Absolute’s trained
professionals in order to protect privacy.
Geolocation tracking is available immediately with Computrace at no
additional cost to Absolute customers.(2)
A complete list of supported GPS receivers can be found at
http://www.absolute.com/geolocation. For more information about Absolute and its
line of Computrace solutions visit http://www.absolute.com.
(1) For a complete list of BIOS-supported computers visit
http://www.absolute.com/BIOS.
(2) Customer computers must be fitted with a supported GPS receiver.
About Absolute Software
Absolute Software Corporation (TSX: ABT) is the leader in computer
theft recovery, data protection and Secure Asset Tracking(TM) solutions.
Absolute Software provides organizations and consumers with solutions in
the areas of regulatory compliance, data protection and theft recovery. The
Company’s Computrace(R) software is embedded in the firmware of computers
by global leaders, including Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, MPC, General Dynamics
Itronix, HP, Lenovo, Motion, Panasonic and Toshiba, and the Company has
reselling partnerships with these OEMs and others, including Apple. For
more information about Absolute Software and Computrace, visit
http://www.absolute.com.
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