Pdq Introduces Live Device Access Tools For Remote Management
Enhanced Remote Management Capabilities
Pdq has expanded its device management platform with the introduction of live device access tools designed for Windows and macOS environments. These new capabilities include a remote shell, a live file explorer, and the automatic deployment of remote desktop agents. The primary goal of these additions is to provide IT administrators with a way to investigate and resolve technical issues on remote endpoints without the immediate need to take control of a user’s screen or launch a full remote desktop session.
By integrating these tools directly into the existing interface, administrators can perform real-time actions in the background. This approach minimizes disruption for employees while allowing technical teams to maintain high levels of oversight and control over their fleet of managed devices. These tools are currently available to users on the Plus and Premium service plans.
Background Troubleshooting And File Access
The remote shell feature provides an interactive terminal that allows administrators to navigate directories, execute specific commands, and review output in real time. This is particularly useful for complex troubleshooting scenarios where a technician needs to observe the results of a command and adjust their investigation based on the evidence found, rather than relying on single, one-off command executions.
Complementing the shell is the live file explorer, which grants access to a device’s file system without requiring a screen-sharing session. Through this tool, administrators can browse and search for specific files, retrieve critical system logs, and perform upload, download, or deletion tasks. In its initial version, the file explorer supports the transfer of one file at a time and operates within established file-size limits.
For instances where a graphical user interface is absolutely necessary, the platform now supports the automatic deployment of its remote desktop agent. This system ensures the agent is installed on all existing devices and any future enrollments. Devices that are offline at the time of deployment will receive the software automatically once they reconnect and check in with the system.
Strategic Shift In IT Support Workflows
This update addresses a frequent challenge faced by IT departments managing dispersed workforces. Traditionally, inspecting a machine to find the source of a problem often required a remote desktop session, which could interrupt the user’s workflow even for simple tasks like checking a log file or running a command-line diagnostic. The new toolkit allows teams to select a level of access that matches the specific task at hand.
Administrators can now begin their investigation with a low-impact terminal session or a file inspection. They only need to escalate to a full remote desktop session if the problem cannot be solved through background tools. This tiered approach is intended to reduce the friction between IT support and end users, ensuring that screen takeovers happen only when strictly necessary for resolution.
Broader Platform Updates And AI Integration
The introduction of live access tools is part of a larger product update that signals a move beyond simple software deployment and patching. The update includes significant changes to the dashboard, allowing users to resize, reorder, or hide widgets to customize their view. New views now include a widget for identifying the most vulnerable devices, a configurable threshold for low disk space, and a more streamlined display for operating system patching.
Furthermore, an expanded AI assistant has entered open early access. This assistant leverages context from devices, deployments, and packages to explain the results of a deployment, investigate device-specific issues, and suggest diagnostic steps. To maintain security and control, the system requires administrators to manually approve any actions before the AI can execute them on a device.
Other features moving into closed early access include role-based access controls for device actions, Software Policies v1, and the Managed Software Centre. These additions indicate a continued focus on building governance and self-service functions for organizations managing large fleets of endpoints. Based in Salt Lake City, the company currently serves more than 33,000 customers globally.