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Most organizations are investing in their toolset of remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools to support the hybrid workforce. Pulseway is a well-known RMM solution that continues to become more fully featured and capable with each release. The latest 9.2 release includes a major policy management overhaul.
Pulseway is a cloud-based RMM solution designed to grant IT technicians mobility and the ability to manage critical infrastructure remotely. It uses a cloud-native architecture, with agents installed on endpoints that connect to a cloud-centric control plane. This architecture helps support the evolving hybrid workforce and modern infrastructure demands.
As it is a SaaS solution, you can quickly hit the ground running without needing on-premises infrastructure. In around five minutes, you will have a fully functional Pulseway environment for configuration.
Below is a look at the Pulseway SaaS wizard when you spin up a new environment. As you can see, it provides a great countdown timer until your environment is provisioned, which is a nice touch.
Pulseway provides quick provisioning of your SaaS environment
Please read my previous post about Pulseway for a general overview of the tool's features. In today's post, I will focus on the new features in version 9.2:
- Policy redesign
- Workflow automation improvements
- Remote control enhancements
- OS and software patch management
- macOS and Linux agent enhancements
- Platform and security improvements
- Mobile application updates
- Additional platform improvements
Policy redesign
One of the major new features of this release is a complete policy management overhaul. The new policy structure in Pulseway 9.2 comprises three key components: profiles, target criteria, and extensions. Profiles contain granular settings to apply to a policy, while target criteria allow for automatic policy application using predefined device and platform attributes.
Extensions enable policy modification to handle exceptions and filter the application of policies to different devices without the need for multiple policies. The policy redesign aims to make policy management more dynamic and automated.
Policies are easily configured under the new configuration menu.
Pulseway 9.2 has newly redesigned policy management
Endpoint policies
Endpoint policies have been restructured into Device Configuration profiles and Monitoring profiles, with all previous settings now found in these new profile types. To work with the new Device Configuration and Monitoring policies, users must first create profiles containing the desired settings, then create a policy and assign profiles to it, and finally assign the policy to an organization, site, or group.
New endpoint policies include Device Configuration and Monitoring profiles
In upcoming releases, Pulseway plans to add targeting and extensibility capabilities and convert the remaining policies, including Patch and Endpoint Protection policies, into the new structure.
Workflow automation improvements
Pulseway 9.2 includes significant enhancements to workflows, boosting automation capabilities, flexibility, and ease of use.
General automation engine enhancements
The update introduces a system temp folder variable for use in workflows, adds the ability to run some new workflow actions as the current user instead of system only, and allows workflows to be executed with time as a trigger.
New workflow automation enhancements
Eight new workflow actions
Pulseway 9.2 introduces eight new system actions to enhance automation capabilities, which are initially available for Windows only. These actions include executing other active workflows, running CMD commands, executing files, closing applications, downloading files from URLs, rebooting devices, creating custom workflow system log entries, and sending popup messages to the current user.
Remote control improvements
Concurrent multimonitor support
Pulseway's remote control now supports simultaneous viewing and control of all monitors, exactly as configured on the target device. Thumbnail previews of monitors have also been added for easier connection to multiple monitors simultaneously.
Multimonitor enhancements with Pulseway 9.2 remote control
Chat support for macOS remote control sessions
Pulseway 9.2 enables chat support during Remote Control sessions when using a Mac as the source or target machine, bringing macOS chat support in line with Windows.
OS & software patch management
The new release introduces an option within Patch policies to schedule a reboot when required by the patch process, offering more flexible control over rebooting. Other changes include support for Windows 11 in software installation scripts, the addition of paid Adobe Acrobat versions, and Firefox ESR to the software catalog.
Scheduling a reboot in Pulseway patch management 9.2
macOS & Linux agent enhancements
Audit support and reporting
Asset information is now available for both Linux and macOS agents, accessible on the System Details page and in asset reports.
New macOS and Linux agent enhancements
Support for custom fields in scripting
Both Linux and Mac scripts now support custom field references using the Output variable name.
Top processes in memory and CPU alerts
Linux and macOS agent notifications for memory and CPU now include the top processes consuming resources at the time of the alert.
Platform and security improvements
The 9.2 update enhances password management by allowing users to configure the complexity requirements for user passwords. Additional improvements include pending reboot notifications added to monitoring profiles, providing IT admins with better control over system updates.
New platform security enhancements
Mobile application updates
The Pulseway mobile application now supports blocking user input during remote control sessions within the iOS app. Additionally, Apple Watch users can approve or decline their 2FA login requests directly from their watch, improving the user experience and convenience.
Additional platform improvements
The 9.2 update brings a variety of other enhancements to the platform, including an improved custom field CSV report, better device access management, and ransomware detection filtering. These additional improvements further refine the Pulseway platform, providing IT professionals with the tools to manage their IT infrastructure effectively.
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Wrapping up
Pulseway 9.2 brings new features and enhancements to streamline IT management for users. From policy redesign and workflow automation improvements to remote control and agent enhancements, this update ensures a more efficient and user-friendly experience. In addition, with macOS and Linux agent enhancements, better password management, and support for various devices, Pulseway shows its commitment to providing secure tools for diverse environments. The Pulseway 9.2 update is a step forward toward a more dynamic and automated IT management experience. With its focus on user experience, automation, and enhanced capabilities, the platform is poised to deliver even better results for IT professionals and organizations.
