Below are answers to general questions about CentraStage.
For more information, including answers to technical questions, please register for the CentraStage Forum by sending an email to support@centrastage.com.
What is CentraStage?
CentraStage software is a hosted web services framework for the delivery of managed IT services, focused on enhancing support for remote devices.
CentraStage is simple, affordable and flexible, and designed from the ground up with IT service providers in mind. Priced to allow management of previously 'un-manageable' devices, via any web browser, in running CentraStage on every device service providers can extend their reach, reduce their costs and enhance their SLA.
How does CentraStage work?
The small footprint CentraStage agent, installed on all supported devices, regularly establishes a secure outbound connection to the web service (the Community Server), regardless of device location or network. The agent on the remote device not only sends back audit and other information to the central database, but also waits for instructions to execute jobs and tasks designated for the device by the Administrator.
Administrators access the management interface (the Community Server Manager) through any web browser, allowing access to the management console from anywhere.
What can CentraStage do for me?
The CentraStage technology has been designed for Service Providers. Whether you are a Local Authority providing IT services to schools, or a company providing managed IT services to Small/Medium-sized Enterprises, CentraStage delivers key functionality:
- Centralised Software Deployment - whether patches for the operating system, or a complete Microsoft Office upgrade or rollout, the technology allows you to automate these tasks to hundreds of devices simultaneously, over any network.
- Device Auditing and Monitoring - the technology constantly updates the central database with real-time device information, both hardware and software.
- Scripting - CentraStage enables the automated delivery and execution of scripts, whether to one device or thousands, allowing you to add your own functionality to the framework. Whether it is joining devices to an Active Directory Domain, setting a Proxy Server, changing the DNS or network settings for all devices, checking for software versions or simply shutting down a PC at night, CentraStage enables you to harness the power of scripts.
- Remote Support - remote screen control, remote shell and file transfer for any device, allowing any engineer simple and quick access to any device.
- Advanced Monitoring - manage your environment by exception. Tailored monitoring views can be set up to suit your environment - monitor low disk space, database integrity, processor usage, software versions and much more.
What operating systems does the Agent support?
Servers - Microsoft Windows 2000 and 2003.
PCs - Microsoft Windows 2000, XP and Vista.
What are the requirements for CentraStage?
CentraStage is a hosted, browser-based solution, so there is no software to install and support. However if you want to host the central Community Server yourself, this is an option. Please email info@centrastage.com for more information.
Is CentraStage secure?
Yes. All communications are encrypted with 128-bit encryption.
Do I need to make changes to the firewall?
Not unless the firewall is currently restricting outgoing communications - by default, ports 80 and 443 need to be opened outbound to the CentraStage server. These default ports can be changed prior to installation.
How complicated is CentraStage to use and manage?
CentraStage has been designed based on direct input from Service Providers. A key driver is to enable the management of thousands of devices with minimal resources, and this is achieved by managing by exception - you only want to know about those devices that have gone wrong.
How much does CentraStage cost?
CentraStage is a low-cost company. We strive to minimise our own costs at every opportunity, so in turn we can keep your costs low.
CentraStage is priced to be affordable for every device. For more information on pricing please log in to the CentraStage Forum and see the General FAQs section.
Do I have to visit every machine to install and upgrade CentraStage?
The CentraStage agent is only 350k so it can easily be distributed by email, via a web download, as an MSI or distributed automatically over a LAN. All CentraStage agent updates and upgrades are done automatically from the Community Server.
Where can I get more information?
CentraStage believe in the power and creativity of its users, therefore we put great store in our (new) Forum. Not only does this enable our development team to stay close to the customer and deliver a roadmap which matches customer requirements, but it encourages CentraStage users to share best practice and new functionality (via scripts) with each other. It also keeps our costs low, so we can keep your costs low.
See the link to the Forum on the main toolbar above.To register you will need to send and email to support@centrastage.com