PC Manager | Take control of your computers

[Snatek]

Hi to all EEVBlog members,

We’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign that may be of interest to you. The project, named “PC Manager”, consists of a device that, once installed on a desktop computer, brings interesting remote bulk managing, energy saving and security features. The following are some of them:

• Allows organizing computers by floor, department, section, or as desired, and controlling them all simultaneously from anywhere (via the internet).
• It can help save on average $/€/£ 70 a year on energy costs per computer by scheduling their turn on/off, compared to keeping them on 24 h.
• It notifies in case of power outage (or intentional power cord unplugging, which may prevent theft of the PC), or if the internet goes out.
• Wi-Fi connection, without complicated network settings or security risks (e.g. opening ports on the router).
• Automatic PC boot error detection and notification.
• Computer freeze/crash detection and notification.
• It has multiple built-in electronic safety features to prevent any damage to the PC even if incorrectly assembled.
• It is built in the EU using electronic components from top global brands (e.g., Texas Instruments, Samsung, etc.).
• It allows granting partial or total control of PC Manager’s functions to other specified users.
• There are two models available for convenience: one with internal antenna and one with external antenna.
• It can be easily installed and withstand assembly errors. It feeds directly from the PC’s power supply.
• It can be controlled by the majority of internet browsing capable devices.

You can find more detailed info by clicking on the following links:

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/snatek/pc-manager
PC Manager’s website: https://www.pc-manager.net/en/

The campaign ends on 11 January.

If you would like further information or have any questions, you can post on this thread (or on Kickstarter project’s web page) and we’ll gladly answer you.

We gratefully thank you in advance for any action you can undertake to promote the PC Manager project.

[Ranayna]

Hmm, interesting idea, but might I ask what your target audience is for this device?

My background: I work in a medium sized company in IT. I am not directly involved with PC support anymore, but once was. We have more than a thousand workstations, but most of them are not classical desktops anymore.

With that in mind, thoughts about this:

1: Power savings could easily be achieved by using wake on LAN. But even without it, disciplined users will already shut down their workstation anyway. And even if not, though I have not measured it, power consumption should already be reduced massively by employing sensible power plans in Windows. Assuming 100 Watts for an unused computer is not reasonable.
2: Reading through the description, I have to assume that your device is "always-on"? Does it work at all without internet?
3: How is the WiFi connection realized? Which bands and channels are supported? How does your supposed simple connection work? How much bandwidth is used? Think hundreds of devices here
4: Error detection according to the beep codes sounds like a neat idea. But I have not seen (or rather heard  ) a beeper on any modern corporate desktop for many years. DELL for example uses diagnostic LEDs since at least 15 years.
5: How does the Freeze/Crash detection and storage monitoring work? For that to work reliably I would think you need a driver of some kind. What operating systems will you support?
6: The device seems not applicable to laptops. And many desktops are being replaced by laptops.

Don't get me wrong. I applaud you for getting this far  Getting a viable product to this stage is an achievement.
But I wonder if you are not a couple of years to late, considering the state of the desktop market.