ThinkVantage Technologies

ThinkVantage Technologies is a set of system support utilities to reduce total cost of ownership[1] of Lenovo brand desktop and laptop computers.

Utilities

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  • Access Connections to graphically and securely manage and switch network connections between ethernet, wireless LAN, and wireless WAN
  • Lenovo Mobile Broadband Activation to support mobile broadband activation for Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP laptops that support it
  • Active Protection System to enable the accelerometer to halt a laptop's spinning-platter hard drive
  • Password Manager to save user login information for websites and Windows applications, and subsequently auto-fill those passwords on their respective sites and applications
  • Client Security Solution to manage passwords, encryption keys and electronic credentials
  • Fingerprint Software to manage biometric data for built-in fingerprint readers
  • GPS for GPS use on Windows XP, Vista, and 7 computers
  • LANDesk for ThinkVantage for client management. This is a Lenovo-exclusive version of LANDesk Management Suite designed to integrate with other ThinkVantage software
  • Productivity Center to access online documentation and tools
  • Power Manager to manage power usage in Windows XP, Vista, and 7 ThinkPad laptops as well as Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8 desktops
  • ThinkPad Help Center to access a user's guide for the ThinkVantage suite
  • Access Help online User's Guide to search an online database of help documents
  • Secure Data Disposal to shred confidential information
  • System Update (TVSU) to generate a system tailored list of updates with their respective operative descriptions, and a choice of installation methods[2]
  • Base Software Administrator to customize Lenovo preloads
  • Lenovo QuickLaunch to provide a simplified, customized version of Windows' Start menu
  • Lenovo Solution Center to manage the ThinkVantage suite and certain system upkeep tasks on Windows 7 and 8
  • Lenovo SimpleTap for Windows 7 to provide easy access to on-screen tiles on touch-enabled ThinkPads and tablets, as well as certain ThinkCentre systems with multi-touch screens

The Lenovo ThinkVantage Technologies that can also run on some other platforms are

  • System Migration Assistant to transfer a user's personal data and environment between PC systems.
  • Rescue and Recovery to deploy updates, recover from crashes, and provide remote access if the system will not boot or function while booted.

Legacy ThinkVantage software

  • ImageUltra Builder to create distributable software structures
  • Hardware Password Manager to save BIOS, disk, and motherboard passwords in one place [3]

IBM developed ThinkVantage Technologies. They were included with the sale of their PC division to Lenovo Group in 2005.

History

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In 2002 IBM heavily promoted these tools as part of its "Think" campaign, intended to instill confidence that IBM computers were easier to use and quicker to recover from disaster.[4]

In 2004 IBM provided two of the utilities, Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore and IBM System Migration Assistant as separately available software for use on non-IBM systems.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "ThinkVantage Technologies from Lenovo". official web site. Lenovo. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  2. ^ "Lenovo System Update: Update Drivers, BIOS and Applications". support.lenovo.com.
  3. ^ "Management of Hardware Passwords in Think PCs" (PDF). Lenovo Corporation.
  4. ^ John G. Spooner (November 4, 2002). "IBM puts on its thinking cap". Cnet. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  5. ^ John G. Spooner (March 26, 2004). "IBM to offer non-Blue versions of management apps". Cnet. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
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