OIT Software Licensing is evaluating the current and prospective usage of BeyondTrust PowerBroker: Desktops – Windows Edition software. BeyondTrust PowerBroker Desktops 5.0 is the fastest and easiest way to secure desktops by removing administrator privileges without end user disruption. Eliminate the impact of removing administrator rights by elevating privileges for applications, software installs, system tasks, scripts, control panel applets and more, allowing end users to remain productive.
PowerBroker has been requested through our new software evaluation request form (http://oit.duke.edu/comp-print/software/request/it_request.php) for central funding, and we put together a wiki with some information on the software and some of the purchase options.
If your department currently uses this software or if you have considered purchasing this before, we invite you to visit the wiki and comment on it. The information that we collect in this manner will help us determine whether or not central funding and distribution would be beneficial to the Duke community.
Wiki: https://wiki.duke.edu/display/OITSLP/Power+Broker
Summary of wiki: BeyondTrust offers flat rate academic pricing at a per computer price. The cost does not change at any particular level, however, if there were broad interest in this software among IT departments across Duke, a lower price could be negotiated. Unless there is massive interest in this product, there is no benefit to centrally funding it, and OIT would direct all future inquiries to the BeyondTrust sales team for the academic pricing.
It is unclear how much usage there is, but so far DHTS has expressed interest.
Thanks,
