Is there currently a beta program for Altiris ITMS 7.5? If not is there a date scheduled for Beta release and how would I register to participate in the program?

Thanks
Phil

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/ogproduct/endpoint-management-solutions-beta

Or Symbeta:

https://symbeta.symantec.com/home.html

The 7.5 beta is not yet available.  I have only heard tentative dates for the beta.  You can register for the bea websites, but you may also have partner access if you reach out to your contacts at Symantec.

Cheers Mike, spoke with Symantec, unfortunately the Beta program is already underway and was only available to a handful of selected Partners and Internal users to evaluate.

Oh well, I'll just have to wait for the general release.

Hi All,

           What are the possible changes with NS 7.5?

          Because we are planning to migrate from NS 7.0 MR4 to NS 7.1 in the end of july,so not sure whether to go with NS 7.1 or wait for the latest release.

Any idea?

You can see a preview of DS 7.5 here:

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/em-b18-whats-new-deployment-solution-75

Jon Sharp presented on the topic at Vision 2012 in May.

You can see a very, very high-level view of the features coming to the NS soon in the presentation by Patrick Tyler and Jim Barker:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/sites/default/files/EM%20B08.pdf

There's an overview of features like Mac management, mobile management with SMM and Nukona, cloud-enabled management (manage internet-connected clients), Symantec Management Console for iPad.

You are already obtaining a lot of feature improvements by moving to 7.1.

I've been promised the upgrade from 7.1 to 7.5 will be MUCH easier than the 7.0 to 7.1 upgrade.  The upgrade to 7.1 upgrade requires server changes since it moves from 32-bit to 64-bit.  The 7.5 upgrade can be done in-place.  I would not hold off your 7.1 migration. 

I am doing a technical evaluation of replacements for GSS for my organization.  Out time line to move is 1st quater 2013.  It was suggested by symantec staff in the Endpoint Management Forum that I look at the DS 7.5 as it will be out then and there are changes from the 7.1 I am looking at now.  How do I get access to the beta and/or documentation related to 7.5?

Thanks

Chuck

what is the release date

First half 2013 was the last I heard but Beta 2 has been released:

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/symantec-itms-75-beta2-available-now

ok so that means we'll may be see 7.5 in march or april like 7.1 released in 7 march 2011

Hum, 6 months later than the official out of Windows 8 & 2012... Happy customers not in a hurry to integrate Windows 8. :(

Our User group in our Area, was already tell Symantec, we understand some validation delay to provide official support a latest OS version from Microsoft, or Apple, or others. But:

• less 1 month after the official new OS launch date: Bravo !! 
• 2 to 3 months after: Acceptable.
• 4 to 9 months after: Just wonder if should not use MDT instead of Altiris.
• More 9 months after: Not sure still wonder about...

I hope Symantec will deliver a Quick SP to support Windows 8 under 7.1, without waiting for 7.5  !!!

Regarding Windows 8, the preassure will be lower. The customers are not asking it now: Because more "understood" as a "grand public" release. That is false  in fact, Microsoft done a good job. I am working with Windows 8 from 1 month: it is a clear "Cloud" and "user" orientation, as the market appealing for, with a good enterprise integration. But not all enterprise are ready for the cloud life for "IT Pro" and Windows infra updated 2012 ;-)

I am sure enterprises will integrate Windows 8 devices, before 3 years after ending their win7 migration. All the same not necessary migrating existing win7 devices. They will very well living together.

IMPORTANT: I got this KB from Symantec (thanks Daniel), that is mitigating the "windows 8" support.

http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC6193

As we are able to integrate using 7.1 sp2, but without the UI.

so what should we use as recommendation / suggestion

i want to start the new implementation for patch management.

If you need to use a product, you should use 7.1 SP2 MP1 which is the current release.  7.5 has no release date yet other than the first half of 2013.  Notice it wasn't shared as Q1 2013 so I wouldn't expect January/February/March but rather something like April or May.  Being a major release, there may be issues similar to what was seen in previous major releases (7.1, 7.0) which might make you want to wait several months for those issues to shake out in service packs, maintenance packs, or hotfixes.

I was hoping that, as there's not loads more functionality in it, and the release date's been put back, and there's quite a few KB articles claiming will be fixed in 7.5 that it might be quite a stable release on release.

Then again, that's what I thought about SP2 to 7.1, and MP1 to that, but we're due Hotfix rollup 2 for that any day now.

That is one bright spot, which is that the 7.5 push is largely to complete a more rigorous QA process than 7.0 and 7.1 saw.

Yes, 7.5 is our highest priority right now...heads down for sure :)

Any SLA on availibility of ITMS 7.5?

Thanks,

Right, the actual beta program for partners to participate with clients was invite only by Symantec.  The beta code was also made available separately as part of a partner program that was not alongside clients in actual environments.

Symantec hasn't yet announced a release date for ITMS 7.5.

Can we get an official annoncement on support for Windows 8 prior to 7.5 and about support in ds 6.9?

I would not hold my breath for a second quarter release of 7.5  it could be second quarter of 2014 judging by Symantec's ability to hit release dates in the past.

Sure:

"Deployment Solution Platform Windows 8 and Windows 2012 feature support in ITMS 7.1 SP2 MP1"

http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC6284

"Deployment Solution 6.9 support for Windows 8 and Windows 2012"

http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC6299

"Managing Microsoft Windows 8 computers using Client and Server Management Suite and Symantec Management Platform 7.1 SP2"

http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC6193

It doesn't help that only the 6.9 article is correctly tagged, the other two won't come up if you add a Product into the support search.

Is Q2 the new unofficial target release time frame? 

Yes.

Recently installed CMS 7.5 beta.  I can download Beta 2 Support Guide which is only helpful for installation, but is there any support guides or training videos (other than only mac videos available Symbeta website), that I can obtain for setting up PXE, installing Bootwiz, creating inventory reports, capturing images, etc.  

Detailed information would be very helpful while in beta testing.

Thanks

Is it not the end of Q3 now! According to the webcast I just saw

Wait, you just watched a webcast that now slates a release for the end of Q3?! This is getting a little ridiculous and one big reason why we're not attending Vision. We were told then that it would be out by now and were shown some small demos of it. Why attend Vision when I'd see the exact same thing?  I think we really need Symantec to start communicating here. I can't keep pushing clients back and I can only imagine that VARs might start losing customers for other solutions if this game keeps continuing!

Sorry to vent like that, just frustrated here with poor performance, bad solution installs with no means to remove them and a lot of pushback from IT staff that we should just find something else since nothing seems to be getting better from a Symantec standpoint.

They definitely need a 'vent' forum on here. I would make good use of it.

I'd welcome that!

Another question...they say Q3..is that a yearly Q3 based on the calendar or their Fiscal Q3 which appears to end in December?! I can't wait another 8 months, it just won't be possible. We have to make a financial decision starting July 1. If something doesn't happen soon our money may have to go somewhere else...and although not an enormous amount, tens of thousands of dollars in renewal fees is enough to get us moving in a different direction.

Alot of concrete guidance and answers on this is needed.   We are trying to move to Windows 8 and ufei startup and cannot get it working under 7.x.  

We are already spending time looking at if SCCM is a better option.  After 3 years of screwing up the 7.x releases they still cannot get it right or hit a time table.  

A good point on 3rd quarter meaning, give us a month and it has to be added year. With Symantec 3rd quarter can not be assumed to be this year.

Hi, I've been tasked to look at SCCM 2012 and know nothing about it. Do you know of any comparison matrix that could act as a  quick reference before I start digging deeper ?

Thanks

No 7.5 by the end of September (2013) --> SCCM here we come.

To be honest I dont think you will be alone. The 7.5 release will have to be uber better (by that I mean cleared out all the bugs and offer lot more uselful functions) if it has to have any chance of even competing with SCCM.

Heard this WAY too many times to believe it :-)

I'll believe it when its actually released. I remember at Vision 2012 they were saying a new version would be out soon. 

Hi all,

This article http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5131 means it is released??

Regards

Santi

In the middle of SCCM 2012 deployment at this moment.  I predict DS's days are numbered.  Symantec bought and ruined what was once a great product.  This is a case study in mismanagement, bad decison-making, and the downfall of a company (or division).  Would bet no higher level execs will suffer for it though. 

Unless there's a new Product Listing needed, it's not out yet on V2.pl

Good observation Santi!  I am hoping you are right and that means that ITMS 7.5 is about to come out.

You can access the 7.5 release here. 

Thanks,

Jim

Does really the ITMS Technical Resource Kit (not updated from 1 year) compatible 7.5 ?

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/does-really-itms-technical-resource-kit-not-update-1-year-compatible-75

?

Thanks :)