Symantec IT Management Suite 8.8: What’s New & Why It Matters

Introduction

In a fast-evolving IT environment, effective management across diverse platforms is key. With ITMS 8.8, Broadcom delivers crucial updates that expand platform support, modernize features, and streamline workflows—empowering IT teams to manage modern endpoints with confidence.

Key Highlights at a Glance

Here’s what’s new in ITMS 8.8:

1. Platform & Device Support Enhancements

• ARM-native support for Windows devices, beginning with Windows 11 24H2—client binaries are now compiled for ARM architectures.
• Support expanded for:
  • Windows Server 2025
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 9.5
  • Oracle Linux 9.5
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 SP6
• Removal of VBScript dependency on the client side, enhancing security and reducing legacy burden.

2. Management Platform Enhancements

• REST API support unlocks modern integration frameworks.
• Updated Notification Server for Windows Server 2025 compatibility and advanced event queue analytics.
• New central monitoring dashboard for package server download statuses.
• Added security privilege to restrict access to the Management Console.
• Simplified authentication workflows for environments with multiple Microsoft Entra tenants.

3. Symantec Management Console Improvements

• Enhanced certificate insights with Subject Alternate Name (SAN) visibility.
• Task automation improved by allowing custom naming of task instances.

4. Software Management Upgrades

• Import apps from Microsoft Store, as well as packages in .APPX, .APPXBUNDLE, and .MSIXBUNDLE formats.
• Comprehensive white paper now available to configure ITMS as a Trusted Installer via Group Policy with AppLocker.

5. Enhanced Inventory & Reporting

• New data insights: Browser extension inventory for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
• Security posture data is now collected, including Firewall, Antivirus, USB autostart, and Windows Defender Credential Guard statuses.

6. Improved Deployment Functionality

• Leverage DISM for preinstalling boot-critical drivers and creating/updating services.
• Added tokenization support for “Copy File” and “Copy Folder” tasks.
• Improved usability of Job Menu configuration.

7. Advanced Patch Management

• Added token-based authentication support for both REST and SOAP APIs—boosting automation flexibility and security.

8. Resolved Issues

• Fixed the annoying „Software Portal must be accessed via the desktop link“ error that surfaced post-ITMS 8.7.3—this issue has been resolved in 8.8.