Faronics

Faronics Corporation is a privately held software company with offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Pleasanton, California, United States, Singapore and Bracknell, UK. Faronics develops computer software for multi-user IT environments.

Faronics Corporation
TypePrivate
IndustryComputer software
Founded1996[1]
FounderFarid Ali
Headquarters
Vancouver, British Columbia
,
Canada
Number of employees
100+
Websitefaronics.com

Faronics products are predominantly used in educational institutions, libraries, healthcare facilities, and government agencies.

History

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.[2]

Deep Freeze has since-garnered a strong presence in K-12 education and is now part of Faronics "Layered Security" suite of products.

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).[3] 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.[4][5] 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.

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.

Awards

2011
Government Computer News - 2011 Best of FOSE Award: Security Software - Deep Freeze [6]
2010
Technology & Learning - 2010 Awards of Excellence, Best Upgrade - Deep Freeze, Power Save & Faronics Insight [7]
2009
Technology & Learning - 2009 Awards of Excellence, Best Upgrade - Anti-Executable, Power Save & WINSelect [8]
Scholastic Administer@tor – Best in Tech for Network Security, 2009 – WINSelect. [9]
2008
District Administration – Readers' Choice Top 100 Products of 2008 – Deep Freeze.[10]
Technology & Learning – 2008 Awards of Excellence, Faronics Insight and Deep Freeze (Legacy Winner).[11]
2007
Technology & Learning – 2007 Awards of Excellence, Legacy Winner – Deep Freeze.[12]
2006
Macworld – 22nd Annual Editors' Choice Awards – Deep Freeze Mac.[13]
Technology & Learning – 2006 Awards of Excellence, Legacy Winner – Deep Freeze.[14]
eSchool News – Readers’ Choice Awards 2006 Winner, Network and Administration Software – Deep Freeze (Windows & Mac).[15]
2005
Media and Methods Magazine – Awards Portfolio 2005 Winner, Computer Security – Deep Freeze Enterprise.[16]
2004
Technology & Learning – 2004 Awards of Excellence – Deep Freeze Enterprise.[17]
2003
Technology & Learning – 2003 Awards of Excellence, Management and Security – Deep Freeze Professional.[18]

Affiliations and memberships

Faronics has been recognized by Energy Star[19] and the Climate Savers Computing Initiative,[20] the LANDesk Solutions Alliance[21] and is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.[22]

Faronics is also a member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE),[23] EDUCAUSE,[24] British Columbia Technology Industry Association (BCTIA),[25] the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)[26] and the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA).[27]

See also

References
  1. Faronics Corporation. Corporate information page
  2. Shaw, Gillian (June 20, 2006). "Local firm nets a winner with security software" (PDF). Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, BC, Canada. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  3. Germain, Jack (September 4, 2008). "Anti-Executable Keeps Interlopers Off Your Computer". TechNews World. ECT News Network, Inc. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  4. Bisetty, Krisendra (April 29, 2008). "Powering down and ramping up" (print). Business in Vancouver. Vancouver, BC, Canada. p. B3. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  5. Francis, Russ (September 29, 2005). "B.C. Hydro adds energy-efficient software to online catalogue". ITBusiness.ca. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  6. McCaney, Kevin (July 20, 2011). "2011 Best of FOSE Awards" (web). Government Computer News. 1105 Media, Inc. p. 2. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
  7. Stearns, Jared (November 2010). "27th Annual Awards of Excellence Winner, Best Upgrade, 2010" (PDF). Technology & Learning. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-11-21. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
  8. Stearns, Jared (October 2009). "27th Annual Awards of Excellence Winner, Best Upgrade, 2009" (PDF). Technology & Learning. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  9. "Best in Tech for Network Security, 2009". Scholastic Administr@tor. March 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  10. Dyrli, Kurt (January 2009). "Readers' Choice Top 100 Products of 2008". District Administration. Archived from the original on 2013-01-02. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  11. Stearn, Jared (January 3, 2009). "The Technology and Learning Awards of Excellence 2008". Technology and Learning. Archived from the original on 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  12. Poftak, Amy; McLester, Susan (December 15, 2007). "The Technology and Learning Awards of Excellence 2007". Technology and Learning. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  13. Griffiths, Rob (December 12, 2006). "The 22nd Annual Editors' Choice Awards – Our 29 favorite hardware, software, and online products of 2006 – Hardware-restoration utility is like a magic Undo command". Macworld. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
  14. Kennedy, Kristen; Jackson, Paul (December 15, 2006). "Technology and Learning Awards of Excellence 2006". Technology and Learning. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  15. "eSchool News Readers' Choice Awards 2006" (PDF). eSchool News. December 28, 2006. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  16. "Awards Portfolio 2005 Winner, Computer Security". Media and Methods Magazine. 2005. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  17. Salpeter, Judy; Thatcher, Michelle (December 13, 2004). "Technology and Learning Awards of Excellence 2004". Technology and Learning. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  18. Salpeter, Judy (December 15, 2003). "Technology and Learning Awards of Excellence 2003". Technology and Learning. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  19. "Energy Star, Activating Power Management: Commercial Software Packages". Energy Star website. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  20. "Climate Savers Smart Computing Product Catalog". Climate Savers Smart Computing website. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  21. "LANDesk, LANDesk Solutions Alliance Program". LANDesk website. Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  22. "Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Program". Microsoft website. Archived from the original on 2007-10-26. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  23. "International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Partners in Learning, ISTE100 Corporate Program". ISTE website. Archived from the original on 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  24. "EDUCAUSE, Membership Directory, Corporations". EDUCAUSE website. Archived from the original on 2010-06-08. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  25. "British Columbia Technology Industry Association, Member List". BCTIA website. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  26. "Consortium for School Networking, Corporate Members". CoSN website. Archived from the original on September 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  27. "Software and Information Industry Association, SIIA Member Companies". SIIA website. Archived from the original on 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  • Moon, Peter (March 10, 2009). "PCs protected by the Freeze". The Australian Financial Review. Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
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