Vintela Community :

Quest Launches Beta for Quest Management Xtensions for Configuration Manager 2007!

The System Center Division of Quest Software has released its beta version of Quest Management Xtensions for Configuration Manager 2007 (“QMX for Configuration Manager”).

With a comprehensive set of solutions that extend the powerful capabilities of System Center to heterogeneous environments, Quest enables System Center to be the single, end-to-end platform for managing desktops, servers, and devices in both physical and virtual environments. Quest announced its System Center strategy in November, 2007 at ITForum in Barcelona, Spain.

To learn more about our Quest System Center offerings, please visit us at: http://www.quest.com/system-center.

NOTE: The "Inside Vintela" community is a temporary location for QMX for Configuration Manager 2007. The Quest System Center Division is nearing completion of a Community Site where this and other System Center-related information will be available on a more permanent basis.

Join Our Beta Program

Be one of the first to try out the Beta version of Quest Management Xtensions for Configuration Manager 2007. Become a Beta tester and help improve Quest's products for your company. By working together we can build a better product. Quest values getting feedback from a customer's specific environment to verify the quality of our release. We are also interested in your suggestions and ideas to shape the product so that it can better meet your requirements. We are ready to listen to what you have to say! Reporting any problems that you encounter during the BETA will help ensure a higher quality product.

What is Quest Management Xtensions for Configuration Manager 2007?

Microsoft® System Center Configuration Manager 2007 is the next version of Microsoft's Systems Management Server (SMS) and is a significant upgrade with many new user interface and productivity features. Quest Management Xtensions 2.0 for Configuration Manager 2007 (QMX for Configuration Manager) is keeping pace by providing an upgrade to our QMX for SMS solution. Both QMX solutions extend SMS/ConfigMgr to Unix, Linux, and Mac OS X systems. The goal of our first release of QMX for Configuration Manager is to provide near feature parity with the features provided in QMX for SMS v1.6. We are pleased to welcome you to the Beta program and are eager to hear your feedback.

How to Join

The QMX for Configuration Manager 2.0 Beta is a public Beta.

Become a Quest Online Community Member.
Review Beta Technical and Program Testing requirements as well as Beta Benefits (see bottom of page).
Fill out a brief survey.
Review the Beta-related documentation.
Download the Beta software.
Test the product.
Give us feedback.

You will need to create a community account with Quest Software. Once your account is created, you become a member of Quest Online communities and can choose to take part in the Beta testing.

We ask all community members who wish to participate in the Beta to kindly fill out a very brief survey so we can better understand you as a Beta customer. Upon completing the survey, you are registered as a Beta participant.

Once you have completed the survey, click on the Download Beta button below to review related documentation and download the Beta software. As you download the Beta software, you will need to read and agree to the Beta Legal Agreement before you proceed.

Beta Support and Feedback

If you experience any difficulties using the product, or if you have questions regarding the functionality, please do not call Quest Support for issues related to the Beta software. The Quest Software Customer Support team does NOT provide any support to the Beta.

The Beta for the Quest Management Xtensions for Configuration Manager 2007 is supported ONLY through this community, directly by our Development and Product Management teams. All your questions and suggestions should be published in our discussion forums:

Submit any bugs you find in the Beta product to the Bug Discussion Forum.
Submit Enhancement Requests.

Beta Technical Requirements

Install System Center Configuration Manager 2007 in your lab. (See the Beta Release Notes)
Install the supported versions of Unix, Linux, or Mac OS X clients that can be used for Beta Agent installations.
Ensure that you have the required hardware to adequately test the product. (See the Beta Release Notes for System Requirements and the Beta Testing Program Guide for instructions for Beta testing.)
Allocate time for Beta installation and testing within your environment.
Have knowledge of previous versions of QMX for SMS (helpful).

Beta Program Testing Requirements

Actively test the product throughout the Beta period.
Report defects found during Beta testing.
Retest defects with updated Beta versions, where available.
Submit any suggested enhancement requests.
Provide overall feedback to development on reliability, stability, and readiness of product for marketplace.
Provide feedback regarding usability and quality of product documentation and help systems.

What are the benefits of being a QMX for Configuration Manager Beta test site?

Early access to product code.
Involvement in development cycle, including the ability to influence the final code and submit enhancement requests prior to release.
Free technical support throughout the duration of the Beta test period.
More stable code due to multiple individuals testing in many environments.
One-on-one contact with the Development and Quality Assurance teams, Product Management, Marketing, etc., through regular conference calls.
Relationship-building opportunities with other Beta sites around the world.
Product training sessions during conference calls.
Improved documentation.
The ability to roll out the product in your production environment immediately upon official customer release.
Resulting knowledge gained from participating in the Beta test program.

Thanks for taking part in the Beta program. With your help, we can build a better product! We look forward to receiving your posts!!

The QMX for Configuration Manager 2007 Team