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iTunes on Company PCs

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by jr_hearty 1 view

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I have several (mostly executives)end users with local admin rights that have installed iTunes. I am not crazy about allowing iTunes on corporate PCs. Besides the administrative overhead that comes with keeping another program updated are their any other concerns regarding iTunes are there any other reasons not to allow iTunes on company PC's?

11 replies

by martin.read

I agree. The best reasons I can think of

a) this puts IT in a difficult position because we do not have proof that the user owns a license for the music that is stored on their laptop - and we are responsible for ensuring that the company is not exposed to any legal copyright issues.

b) any system instability would result in IT removing iTunes and, possibly, any purchased music

c) it is not approved by It for installation.

It gets complicated if they are using an external hard drive.

by anders_emajl

I agree to, furthermore there's the issue with virus infection when downloading music etc. to iTunes.

This is a common problem but correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the administration easier in Vista on this point. It is possible to set user as local admin only on certain apps. Hence prevent installation and downloading.

Come to think of.. isn't it possible to prevent users from changing the registry, still be able to use there normal apps, using group policy (?!?)

by jdclyde

Do you really want to make enemies of several executives?

I am quite sure when push comes to shove, they will hold the ear of the top decision makers over a tech that is worried about someone listening to music on their computers or loading their ipods.

A good way to become unemployed is to make this your concern without being directly told to by your boss. At MOST, casually mention to YOUR boss that you noticed this software loaded with a few supported concerns about it. From there, it isn't your problem, nor your concern until your boss tells you it is.

And it is not your job to keep the itunes software updated, so it shouldn't be an impact on you one way or the other.

by martin.read

Hopefully most IT managers will have a published policy on users installing unsupported software - which may, or may not include iTunes. If it is allowed in the policy then OK, otherwise don't let it be installed. Either way your policy should cover this. The reasons I have given are the reasons I give to anybody, including board directors as to why the policy is implemented in this case. Executives should support their corporate policies.

by jdclyde

but it isn't the job of the tech to play IT Nazi.

You report the software to your boss and it is his problem and his head on the block if he choses to take on that fight. From there, you just do your job, which is whatever your boss says it is.

Rules are fine and dandy, but not all employees are created equal. Pissing off the wrong one means a short trip to the unemployment office. Tread lightly.

by jr_hearty

I told the requesting user to contact the Director of IT. I also voiced my concerns to the Director. If he decides that we should support it, then I'll do what I have to do.
We have no written policies regarding company PCs at all - that I am aware of...which also makes it hard to deal with these issues.

You are right about it not being my job to update the program. However, it IS my job to ENSURE SECURITY on the network and keep the network running SMOOTHLY.

by jdclyde

I am in the same position, but I do not have the authority to do more than voice a concern with my boss and their boss.

I am also responsible for performance, and downloading music is a major drain, but what do I say when one of the owners of the company is the biggest downloader? Nothing, that is what I say. Don't let some gung-ho IT Nazi get you fired. Follow procedure for reporting any issues and then do as your boss orders.

You don't have to agree, you just have to do it. Just making sure YOU are not installing pirated software, is about all you really have control over at the end of the day.

Good luck. Pass the buck to your boss and stay out of it.

by brisbean

I have had the exact same situation. The way I handled it was as follows.

I took the executive to one side and explained that the software he had downloaded loaded was not supported by IT, and if anything happed, and we had to reimage his machine, all his data including brought music would be lost.

I also explained the legal issues to the MD, with regard to downloaded music.

The situation as is? well ITunes is still loaded up, and fair play, the executive works late hours, and there is no need to be an IT Nazi. However we have had to reimage his machine and he did lose all his music. However he wasn't angry as he had been informed, before hand.

Result, happier executive, relaxed IT Manager..

by notsochiguy

I encountered a similar situation, except that some of the offenders were also typical office workers (assistants, receptionists, etc).

Bandwidth was getting stretched terribly thin. What we ended up doing was creating specific rules in the firewall that allowed executive PCs access to the media file types, but restricted it for other users.

Not a total win, but definitely better than nothing, or trying to tick off the executives.

by jdclyde

All I do is show the bandwidth totals (not broken down by application or user) and use that as justification for more bandwidth! :D

If they won't ALLOW me to restrict access like that, then at least let me keep it from killing out business apps!

Our internet pipe is about to get about 10 times bigger. can you say "SWEET"? B-)

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