Much has changed in the two years since we last compared desktop management  tools. Network executives are as focused as ever on reducing costs, but there's been a resurgent interest in security, particularly keeping up with the latest security patches for applications and hot fixes for the operating system.

And while keeping alert for attacks takes precedence over the more mundane tasks of tracking how many people used a particular application in the last month, it doesn't make software-tracking any less important - especially with new licensing models and higher per-user fees looming.

The decision-making process works best when all the necessary information is available and accurate. For example, a complete and accurate hardware inventory is essential before making an operating system upgrade decision. Vulnerability assessments won't protect you if you can't tell which machines have the latest Internet Explorer service pack installed.

The proliferation of mobile users with laptops and PDAs is another relatively new variable. IT managers have to establish new policies for the use and management of intermittently connected devices, and they need to keep mobile workers connected and productive.

Add these issues up, and you need a complex set of tools to cover the bases. While many point products focus exclusively on one or two of these areas, there are vendors that offer management suites that take a shot at covering them all.

We recently tested nine desktop management products to see which provide the best set of tools for managing desktop computers. The suites we tested were Altiris' Express Client Management Suite; CA's Unicenter Asset Management, Software Delivery and Remote Control; LANDesk's Management Suite; Mobile Automation's Mobile Lifecycle Management Suite; NetSupport's TCO; PC-Duo Enterprise from Vector Networks; PowerQuest's PowerDeploy Suite with Cognet Manager and Cognet Observer; Novell's ZENworks for Desktops; and ZENworks for Handhelds, and XcelleNet's Afaria.

Overall, Novell's ZENworks offers the most complete solution based on the scoring criteria we established for this review. That doesn't necessarily mean it's the best product for every situation. If you're just looking for a software distribution tool, then take a look at the Prism product from Lanovation (sold separately or as part of the XcelleNet Afaria product). If your focus is strictly on mobile devices, consider either the Mobile Lifecycle Management Suite or Afaria. If you only need to create and distribute system images, turn to the PowerDeploy Suite from PowerQuest. A pure inventory or asset management problem might best be solved with the CA Asset Management tool. A defined set of requirements focused on solving specific problems will help you choose the best tool for the job.