WAPT Self Service: Allow users to install software

User with administrative rights [insert dramatic music].

It’s actually a problem that suggests another one. Indeed, one can easily ask oneself: “How to offer flexibility to users without administrative rights?” Here’s a great topic for this article! Besides, stay until the end, in addition to providing you with the usual solutions and advice, we have a nice surprise to show you! “What can stop me from scrolling to discover the surprise?” you might say? Well, nothing, but don’t do it, I promise you it’ll be interesting!

The eternal battle between administrators and users

As you know, at Tranquil IT, there are two things we particularly like:

• Designing innovative and practical tools.
• Simplifying the life of system and network administrators.

With WAPT, for example, you can create and deploy a software package in 2 minutes. In fact, I’m going to tell you a little something! Within our team, there is a phrase that we love to use: Simplicity; Efficiency; Tranquility

Beyond a funny pun, this expression really reflects the state of mind in which we work. Indeed, simplifying the life of system administrators also means simplifying the life of users. It is true that we rarely talk about the “user” on this blog, but we are committed to ensuring them a healthy and safe working environment. I will take advantage of this article to correct the situation. I take off my Systemadmin apprentice cap (yes, some items have been a real challenge) to become a communication manager again, or a normal user. This is an excellent opportunity to write an article that reconciles the two points of view!

Why restrict user administration rights?

The answer seems obvious but a reminder never hurts! It is common for the user to feel that they need administrative privileges on their workstation, whether to install software, access the system configuration or even install a new font (this may be a detail for you but for me it means a lot). Unfortunately, most users are not aware of the good security practices to adopt on their workstations. This is why the user is more likely to execute malicious code or be a gateway to the network for a hacker. It is also worth recalling that the hierarchical position does not define administrative rights.

Preventing users from installing anything they want is good! That’s why I’m writing this article rather than watching the latest Netflix series on my computer (as an example, of course). Therefore, it is up to the administrator (you) to ensure that the user (me) can work with the software they need. In theory it’s obvious, in practice, I guarantee you it’s more complex!

And now you think you can trick me into thinking, “It’s okay, I can deploy software on multiple workstations in 2 minutes with WAPT!” That’s true, but we still have better things to offer you just below!

Allow the user to install software without compromising their workstation

When a user is missing software, first they’ll complain (we all do it, it’s human). Then, they’ll try to reach out to a system administrator (who may not be available) to solve their problem. From there, the administrator will have to check the software version, download it for… In short, when a user does not have the software he needs, it is a whole process that starts before it is deployed on the workstation. This is valuable time that is misused by the user (who cannot work) and the administrator (who performs a “secondary” action). In addition, this process may suffer from additional constraints! The meeting starts in 2 minutes, and the workstation does not have the software to read the presentation that your collaborator has been preparing for 2 months, what is he doing? What if the administrator is not here but an entire classroom cannot work on an end of the year project because of missing software on their workstations? As you can see, a disasterous scenario can unfold quickly.

So how can we ensure that the user can install software themselves without compromising any security rules? One solution is to have an application store that is specific to the organization and meets the security criteria it has defined. And that’s exactly why we completely redesigned the WAPT Self Service:

WAPT Self Service a software for administrators :

With the WAPT Self Service, it is possible to filter the software displayed according to users or company departments (AD groups to be precise). This filtering system allows the user to be authorized to install the software they need while guaranteeing the security of the software deployed on the computer equipment.

You can say goodbye to the days when users asked you to install crazy or unnecessary software for their work. With WAPT Self Service you save time and you have flexibility in managing the rights of your IT assets.

WAPT Self Service, Enterprise or Community version?

Ah, the upsetting question.. not really! Indeed, WAPT Self Service is available in the Community version and the Enterprise version. Although a small feature differentiates the two versions. Filtering by user or AD group is only available in  WAPT Enterprise Self Service. And of course, you can try WAPT Enterprise for free for a month. Which gives you enough time to realize that you can’t work without it anymore!