How it works
An agent on every PC. One server you run.
The Acquaintia agent applies your power policy on each Windows PC and checks in with the Acquaintia server every few minutes. You set policies and read reports in the console, in a browser.
The parts
Three pieces, all on your network.
On every PC
The agent
- A Windows service that applies the policy, signed in or not
- A tray app in each session that reports activity and offers the options the policy allows
- Reports power state and hardware at every check-in
On your server
The Acquaintia server
- Holds policies, locations, tariffs and history in SQL Server
- Places PCs by rule and syncs your directory over LDAP
- Sends Wake-on-LAN and works out the energy estimates
In a browser
The console
- Policies, schemes and maintenance windows
- Dashboard, reports and wake history
- Access by role, for each administrator
The agent talks to the server over HTTPS and proves who it is with a client certificate.
Rollout
From install to first report, in six steps.
The agent goes out with the tools you already use to install software, and PCs report in as soon as it is running.
- 1
Install the server
On a Windows server with IIS, and a SQL Server database.
- 2
Connect your directory
Optional: sync computers, users, groups and OUs from Active Directory over LDAP.
- 3
Build policies and locations
Business hours, schemes, maintenance windows, and the rules that place PCs.
- 4
Deploy the agent
A silent MSI with your server’s address, pushed with Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager.
- 5
Add tariffs and a baseline
Your suppliers, rates and carbon factors, and the period to measure against.
- 6
Read the reports
Energy, cost and carbon by PC and location, against the baseline.
Requirements
What you'll need.
| Managed PCs | Windows 10, Windows 11, or Windows Server 2016 or later, 64-bit (x64) |
|---|---|
| Server | Windows with IIS |
| Database | Microsoft SQL Server |
| Console | A current web browser |
| Wake-on-LAN | Turned on in each PC’s firmware and network adapter settings |
| Directory (optional) | Active Directory, over LDAP |
| AI assistant (optional) | Your own Azure OpenAI deployment |
Questions
Do we have to visit every PC?
No. The agent is a silent MSI that takes your server’s address as a parameter, so it deploys with Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager like any other package.
How often do agents check in?
Every few minutes. The interval is a parameter of the MSI, so you choose it when you deploy. Commands you send from the console, such as a remote restart, run at the next check-in.
Where does Acquaintia run?
On a Windows server you run, with IIS and a SQL Server database. Administrators use the console in a web browser.
Does anyone need to be signed in for a policy to apply?
No. The agent runs as a Windows service and applies the policy whether or not anyone is signed in. When people are signed in, the tray app in their session tells the agent whether they are active.
Plan your rollout with us.
Book a demo and we'll walk through the server, the agent package and how it fits the way you deploy software today.
More of Acquaintia
- Power policies Business hours, after-hours schemes and maintenance windows.
- Wake-on-LAN Wake PCs on demand, before the day starts, or for maintenance.
- Energy and carbon reporting Estimated kWh, cost and CO2e against your tariffs and baseline.
- Device visibility Power state, hardware, locations and directory sync.
- Cost calculator