Faronics Corporation is a privately held software company with offices in Vancouver, BC, Canada, Pleasanton, CA, United States, Singapore and Bracknell, UK. Faronics develops computer software for multi-user IT environments. Faronics products are predominantly used in educational institutions, libraries, healthcare facilities, government agencies.
The company employs over 100 people.
Faronics was founded in 1993 by Farid Ali, the company's present CEO, and was incorporated in 1996. Faronics first sold computer hardware and shifted to software in 1999 with the advent of Deep Freeze, a kernel-level software utility that instantly restores a computer back to its original configuration with every reboot. Deep Freeze has since-garnered a strong presence in K-12 education and is now part of Faronics "Layered Security" suite of products.
Video Faronics
Products
Faronics develops nine software products which run on Windows and Mac OS X operating systems:
Deep Freeze
A software utility, released in 1999, that restores a computer back to its original configuration each time the computer restarts. Deep Freeze comes in two versions for Windows (Standard for standalone computers and Enterprise for networked computers) and a version for Mac OS X (a version for SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) by Novell was discontinued in 2010). Deep Freeze for Windows can be managed remotely via its Enterprise Console or via Faronics Core. Deep Freeze Mac can be centrally-managed in multiple computer settings via Apple Remote Desktop.
The principle of operation
Deep Freeze is a kernel-level driver that runs at a low system level to protect drive integrity. Running at this low system level allows the driver to redirect information which is being written to the drive, leaving the original data intact. This redirected information is no longer referenced once the computer is restarted, thus restoring the system to its original state at the disk sector level. To the computer user, the computing experience is unaffected when Deep Freeze is active.
For Deep Freeze to protect a computer's configuration, a computer must have its BIOS password-protected and have its hard disk as the first boot device.
Anti-Executable
Originally released in 2005 as FreezeX, Anti-Executable is an application whitelisting software that, when first installed, creates a "whitelist" of executable files which exists on a computer. When Anti-Executable is active, unwanted executables which do not appear on the whitelist will not run. Anti-Executable comes in two versions for Windows (Standard for standalone computers and Enterprise for networked computers). Anti-Executable Enterprise can be managed remotely via Faronics Core.
Faronics Anti-Virus
Released in 2010, this anti-virus software for Windows combines anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-rootkit technologies. Faronics Anti-Virus works with Deep Freeze so that program updates can be performed without turning Deep Freeze protection off. Faronics Anti-Virus is managed remotely via Faronics Core.
Power Save
Released in 2007, Power Save provides PC power management to aid in green computing initiatives and to help reduce power expenses. Power Save monitors computer activity to avoid interfering with computers in use and produces reports which show power consumption savings. Power Save comes in versions for Windows and Mac OS X. Power Save for Windows can be managed remotely via Faronics Core. Power Save Mac can be monitored remotely via Faronics Core and centrally-managed via Apple Remote Desktop.
Insight
A classroom computer management and collaboration tool, released in 2007, that allows instructors to educate, assist, monitor, test and communicate with an entire class from one central computer. Insight also allows for control of applications and web activity on user workstations. Insight runs on Windows and Mac OS X computers and is managed remotely from its central teacher console.
WINSelect
Released in 1997, WINSelect is a user environment management software that allows IT administrators to customize the operating system and application functionality of computers in public access, kiosk, library, educational, and corporate environments. WINSelect comes in two versions for Windows (Standard for standalone computers and Enterprise for networked computers). WINSelect Enterprise is managed remotely via Faronics Core.
System Profiler
System Profiler is an IT asset management software that can generate a detailed inventory of a computer workstation's hardware configuration and software installed in both a summary or report format. System Profiler comes in two versions for Windows (Standard for standalone computers and Enterprise for networked computers). System Profiler Enterprise is managed remotely via Faronics Core.
Faronics Core
A management tool, released in 2008, that centrally administers computer workstation deployments of certain Faronics software products. Faronics Core utilizes MMC3 (Microsoft Management Console) technology which can create customized groups of computer workstations, schedule software-related tasks, and create reports. Faronics Core manages Faronics Anti-Virus, the Enterprise versions of WINSelect, Anti-Executable, and System Profiler, and the Windows editions of Deep Freeze and Power Save. Computers with Power Save Mac installed can be monitored by Faronics Core for reporting purposes.
Device Filter Mac
A software security utility, released in 2007, that regulates peripheral devices connecting to Mac OS X desktop computers to prevent unauthorized data transfers or connections. Device Filter Mac can be centrally-managed in multiple computer settings via Apple Remote Desktop.
Maps Faronics
Awards
2011
Government Computer News - 2011 Best of FOSE Award: Security Software - Deep Freeze
2010
Technology & Learning - 2010 Awards of Excellence, Best Upgrade - Deep Freeze, Power Save & Faronics Insight
2009
Technology & Learning - 2009 Awards of Excellence, Best Upgrade - Anti-Executable, Power Save & WINSelect
Scholastic Administer@tor - Best in Tech for Network Security, 2009 - WINSelect.
2008
District Administration - Readers' Choice Top 100 Products of 2008 - Deep Freeze.
Technology & Learning - 2008 Awards of Excellence, Faronics Insight and Deep Freeze (Legacy Winner).
2007
Technology & Learning - 2007 Awards of Excellence, Legacy Winner - Deep Freeze.
2006
Macworld - 22nd Annual Editors' Choice Awards - Deep Freeze Mac.
Technology & Learning - 2006 Awards of Excellence, Legacy Winner - Deep Freeze.
eSchool News - Readers' Choice Awards 2006 Winner, Network and Administration Software - Deep Freeze (Windows & Mac).
2005
Media and Methods Magazine - Awards Portfolio 2005 Winner, Computer Security - Deep Freeze Enterprise.
2004
Technology & Learning - 2004 Awards of Excellence - Deep Freeze Enterprise.
2003
Technology & Learning - 2003 Awards of Excellence, Management and Security - Deep Freeze Professional.
Affiliations and memberships
Faronics has been recognized by Energy Star and the Climate Savers Computing Initiative, the LANDesk Solutions Alliance and is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.
Faronics is also a member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), EDUCAUSE, British Columbia Technology Industry Association (BCTIA), the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA).
See also
- Antivirus software
- Comparison of antivirus software
- Comparison of computer viruses
References
- Lalonde, Theresa (July 13, 2010). "Controlling the Class" (video). CBC News. CBC Television. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
- "California district saves power and $350,000". School CIO. New Bay Media. July 9, 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2010-07-09.
- Chernecki, Ted (July 8, 2010). "Limitless Possibilities" (video). Global News. Global TV. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
- Clancy, Heather (June 25, 2010). "Config wizards added to Faronics power management software". ZDNet.com. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
- Sarrel, Matthew (April 23, 2010). "Faronics Anti-Executable Enterprise 3.5 Protects Against Unauthorized Applications". eWeek.com. Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
- "Back-Office Business: How Schools Get it Done". Tech & Learning. Tech & Learning. September 1, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- Clancy, Heather (August 18, 2009). "U.K. security firm slashes power consumption with Faronics Power Save". ZDNet.com. CBS Interactive Inc. Archived from the original on August 20, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- Jim, Harris (August 13, 2009). "Powering down the PC would be big cost-saver". The National Post. The National Post Company. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- Michael, Kaufmann (June 22, 2009). "The how and why of IT lockdown". Blast Magazine. B Media Ventures LLC. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- Gowan, Michael (April 23, 2009). "Tips for greener computing". Macworld.com. Mac Publishing, LLC. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- Schluting, Charlie (March 30, 2009). "Keep It Real When You Go Green". Enterprise Networking Planet. WebMediaBrands Inc. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- Moon, Peter (March 10, 2009). "PCs protected by the Freeze". The Australian Financial Review. Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- Huber, Joe (February 21, 2009). "Put to the Test: Insight from Faronics". Tech & Learning. Tech & Learning. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- Millard, Elizabeth (October 2008). "Stop, Thief!". University Business. Professional Media Group. Archived from the original on 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- Williams, Kandy (August 2008). "Power management software is a little to no cost way to go green and save green". Enterprise Management Quarterly. Boston Hannah International. Archived from the original on 2008-09-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
- Niccolai, James (August 1, 2008). "PC owners urged to manage power use and save money". NetworkWorld. NetworkWorld. Archived from the original on 2008-08-09. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
- Bemowski, Karen (July 21, 2008). "Power Management Software Helps Slash Energy Costs". Windows IT Pro. Penton Media Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-11-23. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
- "Canadian IT company places Japan at forefront of localization efforts". World Eye Report. Japan. March 26, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- "Surviving A Crash". Processor. December 8, 2006. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- MacKinnon, Tessa (November 1, 2006). "Security Issues in Education Computer Labs". California Educational Technology Professionals Association. Archived from the original on June 23, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- Cohen, Peter (May 17, 2006). "Faronics offers Power Save Mac utility". Macworld. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- "Faronics releases new security program". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. September 20, 2004. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- Wheaton Shorr, Pamela (April 2003). "Tech-Support Success Stories". Scholastic. Scholastic. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
External links
- (in English) Official website
- (in French) Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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