centrally managing network clients

Check at VNC (www.uk.research.att.com/vnc) for remote access. This is a freeware utility. Or try PCAnywhere, Reachout or Microsoft SMS.

Using remote control software is one element - those mentioned above like VNC and pcAnywhere are good examples (VNC is free and works quite well for connecting to a single host at a time; pcAnywhere is more flexible and secure). Another element consists of good procedures for installing software that include setting up network shares with copies of all of the files necessary to install the software that is used by most users across the network. Also, you need a network share that is availableonly to you as an administrator where you have utilities that you might need (i.e., resource kit utilities, diagnostic tools, etc.). You can't, and don't want to completely avoid going to the user's desk to diagnose problems, but lots of time can be saved with these tools. Hope this helps!

This question was closed by the author